Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1912-03-13

Hospitality entertained at dinner by
Mr.. and Mrs. Post in their beautiful
home, after which we found big
touring car awaiting us at the door,
and then followed an enjoyable fifty
mile ride over Long Island, along
the splendid macadam roadways,
past the million dollar Vanderbilt
automobile speedway, fifty miles in
length, through various quaint Long
Island villages, past many magnifi-
cent country homes of some of the
wealthiest men of the world, and
much to our delight, to Oyster Bay,
the home of Ex-President Theodore
Roosevelt, which at this time, just
after his announcement as a candi-
date for the presidency, was particu-
flarly attractive. At the time Mr..
roosevelt was entertaining Senator
Beveridge of Indiana and other men
of national repute, discussing the
political situation. A score or more
ling every opportunity to get some
thing of interest for their papers.
This was but one of an almost con-
ttinuous succession of incidents such
as happen to an ordinary little in
significant western newspaper man
but once III lifetime, and our read
ers may be assured that We enjoyed
them all to the utmost.
We returned to East Williston just
in time to catch our train back to
New York, and after dinner at
Shanley's cafe on Broadway, we
found our sleeping car and turned in
for the night, waken-ng in the morn
ing to find ourselves back in Wash
ington, in the magnificent new union
station opposite the capitol. We
again went to the New Willard hotel
and after depositing our baggage in
our rooms prepared to go to the
White House to meet the President.
We found Senator Kenyon awaiting
us as arranged on Friday, and while
We were waiting for the time to ar
rive for our appointment with Presi-
dent Taft, enjoyed chat with SEN
ator Cullom of Illinois, who had just
come from the Presidents office.
Soon our names were called, and we
| mt IN
Of President Taft, a magnificent cir
cular room in the center of which
the President sat at his desk, dis
patching messages and considering
questions of worldwide moment in
connection with the Mexican situa-
ton. He arose and received us cor
daily, and it is needless to state that
we greatly enjoyed conversing with
this greatest of Americans. 1t was
a privilege that, coming to us un-
, solicited, was highly priced, and an
honor that was appreciated accord
ingly. Before leaving we were con-
Quoted into the cabinet room, where
the members of the cabinet had just
been considering the Mexican ques-
ton, and there were maps showing
the location of troops and other i'm
portant details.
Next we went to f'ord's Theatre,
where President Lincoln was shot,
and then across the street to the
house and the room in which he died,
The house is filled with relics of
Lincoln and of slavery days, and an
hour was profitably spent in inspect
ing it.
, AT noon we went to the capitol to
accept an invitation to dine with
) Senator Kenyon, and in the Senator S
) private dining room we enjoyed
meeting several of the members OF
, the Senate, after which we were
taken to the Senator'S private gallery
and again looked upon the Senate in
session, being especially fortunate in
; hearing Senator Kenyon of Iowa
make one of his first addresses to
, the Senate, the subject being the
, minority report of the committee up
, on the investigation of the election
. of Senator Stephenson of Wisconsin
Although an unpopular subject and
a new senator, Mr.. Kenyon made a
splendid address. The galleries were
crowded, and though he was COMPEL
, ed to withstand a cross-fire of cues
, lions and contentious from various
members of the Senate, he held his
| ground admirably, and made a good
impression. 1t was the first time
, we had heard him speak, and we
enjoyed it immensely That evening
, we closed our Washington visit with
/ seeing the popular production
r Madame Sherry at the National
Theatre.
Leaving Washington the next
morning We enjoyed daylight ride
- n l.