Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1903 — BIG TRIP IS BEGUN. [ARTICLE]

BIG TRIP IS BEGUN.

PRESIDENT NOW ON A TOUR OF THE WEST. I Longest Trip Ever Undertaken l>jr a Chief Executive—Journey Will Occupy Nine Weeks, and Will Extend Into Twenty-two States. The President is now on a journey to which that much overworked word “unique” may be applied not. inaptly, lie left Washington Wednesday for a trip which trill continue for sixty-six days, and during which lie will visit twenty-two States nml cover n distance of 14,000 miles. Chicago was his first stopping place l , and from 0 o’clock Thursday morning until midnight lie was occupied in a way not only typical of the western metropolis, hut peculiarly adapted to the President’s idea of strenuous living. It is expected that during this remarkable journey the President will deliver several addresses on matters of the highest importance, ns well as many minor speeches suited to localities where he has agreed to take part in certain ceremonies. As the special train pulled out of the Pennsylvania station in Washington Wednesday morning the President stood on the platform of his private car tipping his hat and smiling in response to the enthusiastic cheers of hundreds of admirers and personal friends. As early as 8 o’clock a crowd began to gather at tho White, House to witness the President's departure. As he enter ed his carriage to drive to the station the men made the historic grounds echo with cheers, While women waved their handkerchiefs and many of them their hats. I’rccuutions for His Safety. The Pennsylvania station and platforms were crowded with people anxious to extend to the chief magistrate their good wishes for a safe and successful journey. Notable precautions were taken to insure the safety of the President. The police arrangements were under tho personal supervision of Commissioner West and Chief Sylvester. Uniformed officers, headquarters detectives, plainclothes men and secret service operatives surrounded the President "and covered every point.

As President Roosevelt alighted from his carriage lie was joined by Secretary j Hitchcock and they walked down the ; station platform arm in arm, the Pt'fisi- J dent stopping now and then to greet personal friends. He was attired in a black cutaway coat, dark striped trousers and wore a black felt hat. He was in the best of i.pirits and chatted enthusiastically to friends of the trip on which he was about to start. The most notable incident connected with the President’s departure arose out | of the presence at tho station of Baron ! Speck von Storuburg, the German minister. He was the only member of the diplomatic corps who went to the depot to see the President off and the President greeted him most cordially, telling him that be greatly appreciated the courtesy. Cabinet Members at Station. No member of the President's immediate family, except bis sister, Mrs. Cowles, was at the station, Mrs. Roosevelt and the young children being down the Chesapeake bay on the Mayflower amU-Miss Alice being in Porto Rico. Several members of the cabinet, including Secretaries Cortelyou, Wilson and Hitchcock, were present. Tho President and Secretary Cortelyou chatted several minutes, the President expressing his regret that the Secretary was not to accompany him. Other members of the cabinet had taken their formal leave of the President at the White House. Among other notable people who were at the station to see the President depart were Assistant Secretary of State Loomis, Col. Theodore A. Bingham aud Capt. W. S. Cowles, respectively the President's military and naval aids; Second Assistant Postmaster General Shalleuberger nnd District Commissioner West. In addition to those officially designated as members of tho President's party three secret service men and two postofflee inspectors accompanied the President as a personal bodyguard. Tho Journey ns planned will occupy nine weeks and three days and the party will travel a little more than 14,000 miles.