Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-04-29
CHAPTER NNVI


CHAPTER NNNI
TIME influence of Mrs. Edith
Wilson on the life of the presi.
dent, beginning as it did early
in 1915 and extending to the hour
Of his death, is one OF those intimate
chapters which will never be ade-
quately described by the historian.
Hers was charm which affected
Woodrow Wilson at every turn of
his later career. Without seeking to
dominate, yet guiding him just as
surely as any advisor had in the
past, sympathizing, helping with the
details of his work, receiving his con-
fidences, discussing problems of
state, testing friends for their loyal
ty and unselfishness-in short, play
ing the confidante in a way that
completely absorbed Mr.. Wilson
there stood at his side through the
criticaP years of his life a woman
who it may truly be said shaped the
eminent for nearly six years.
Like every woman she had her
likes and dislikes. Some Of those
who in preceding years were fire.
duent callers did not come as often
to the White House when she be-
came its mistress. Those who sought
to reach the president on the other
hand. knew that to reach Mrs. Will
of 1l,,t, I1
bic aid. She moXed about without
ostentation, holding her place as
first lady in the land with all the
grace that befitted such d position.
The election of 1916 played an inn
portant part in the development of
Mr. Wilson'S new life. He felt more
confident than ever of the support
of public opinion. He did not seek
new companions. He lived in the
comfortable seclusion and quiet of
the White House with his beloved
wife. He did not make a transcOn-
tinental campaign in the summer of
1916 such as that of his opponent,
Charles Evans Hughes, the Repub-
lican nominee. He spent his summer
at Shadow Lawn, Long Branch, n.
j., making speeches every Saturday
to visiting delegations. Altogether
it was Il season of recreation for the
president and Mrs. Wilson-nOt to
the exclusion of public business, Of
course, but q happy blend Of work
and play.
TumuIty Near Dismissal
Just after the memorable 1916
election. when the doubts and anX-
ieties about a second term had been
removed for all time, the beginning
of a new era in the White House
was apparent. Changes began to be
made in the personnel. The author
discloses one episode which has new
err before been related but which
illustrates how completely Mr.. Viii
son had separated himself from his
previous life.
One day the president, in casual
conversation with Private Secretary
Tumulty, told the latter that he
believed he ought to resign the sec
retaryship and go in for political
career in New Jersey as a member
of congress. For weeks preceding
this conversation there had been re-
ports. published that Mr.. Wilson had
offered Mr.. Tumulty a post on the
board of appraisers in New York.
Secretary Tumulty was a a loss to
understand the origin of these ru
mors as to the place he was to oc-
cupy in the second administration
lie could not recall offending the
president in the slightest, but at
last Mr.. Wilson revealed that the
published reports were true-he did
suggest resignation to his private
secretary.
The author learned of the incident
at noon on Sunday. November 10,
1916-and feeling sure there must
be some misunderstanding, sent a
note to the president requesting an
audience that afternoon and was re.