Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1908 — HOW THE WINNER HEARD THE NEWS [ARTICLE]

HOW THE WINNER HEARD THE NEWS

TAFT RECEIVES BULLETINS IN HIS PRIVATE OFFICE. DOES NOT STOP HIS WORK Wife, Family and Close Friends with Him When Result of the Convention’s Vote Comes Over Wires. Washington, June 19. —"Words do not find themselves at a time like this. I do not deny that I am very happy,” This was the response of Secretary William H. Taft to a request for an expression of his views on his nomination for the presidency. The sentences did not come easily. Throughout the afternoon, preceding the announcement of his nomination, the secretary had been laboring under suppressed nervous tension. The atmosphere of his office was electric with excitement. Notwithstanding the great personal Interest which he had In the proceedings at Chicago, a thousand miles away, Secretary Taft did not permit politics to interfere for a moment with his transaction of official business as secretary of war. In the Intermissions of the receipt of bulletins from the convention, the secretary disposed o# several important departmental questions and when his nomination for the presidency was announced his desk practically was Cleared of Important official business. Family and Friends There.

Throughout the afternoon the private office of Secretary Taft and the office of his private secretary, Frederick Carpenter, were thronged with members of his family, Intimate personal and official friends and newspaper men.

Shortly before 12 o’clock Mr*. Taft arrived at the war department. She scanned carefully the bulletins which had been received from the convention and distinctly manifested her pleasure at the result of the action of the convention regarding the platform. Shortly after four o’clock—before the nominating speeches of the presidential candidates had been concluded —Miss Helen Herron Taft, the secretary’s daughter, joined the group in Mr. Taft’s private office. The secretary laughingly explained that she probably would have been there sooner if she had not beep too nervous to withstand the strain. Bulletins on the Vote.

As the balloting began in the convention the atmosphere in the two rooms seemed to be surcharged with excitement. Scarcely a word was spoken. Something went wrong with the official dispatches. The first announcement was that Massachusetts had cast 32 votes for Taft. Then the announcement from Michigan was made, with its one vote for Cannon. At this moment Secretary Carpenter’s telephone jingled and William Pannell, Mr. Taft’s personal messenger, received a flash from the Associated Press that Taft had been nominated. The information, conveyed instantly to the secretary, created a commotion. Mr.« Williams had the convention hall on the long-distance telephone; but on account of the confusion in the Coliseum was unable to confirm the news. A minute or so afterward a bulletin confirming the nomination was received, and was followed soon afterward by confirmations from other quarters.

Mrs. Taft Is Happy. Scarcely had this news been conveyed to Secretary Taft when over the official wire came, the flash "Taft is nominated.” Mrs. Taft rose from her seat at the secretary’s desk and turned to her husband, who was stand ing at her right. It was an eloquent hand clasp they gave each other. Mrs. Taft was bubbling over with happiness. All evidence of the nervous strain which had been in her face during the entire afternoon had disappeared. The secretary, himself, laughed with the Joy of a boy. Around both the secretary and Mrs. Taft their friends crowded to offer their congratulations. It was a happy scene—the realization of months of labor and tribulation. Resigns from the Cabinet. Secretary Taft’s resignation as a cabinet officer will be received by President Roosevelt some time Friday. It will take effect on July 1. This was learned Thursday night, following a conference of several hours at the White House,' at which Mr. Roosevelt, Secretary Taft, Secretary Root and Assistant Secretary of State Bacon were present.

After the conference Mr. Taft was greeted by a dozen newspaper correspondents who desired to learn of his plans. “The president wants me to leave a clean slate for my successor,” said the war secretary, "and it will take me at least ten days to settle all pending matters in the war department. I have no definite plans yet as to when I Will leave Washington.”