Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 24, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1901 — WASHINGTON GOSSIP [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WASHINGTON GOSSIP

The first formal cabinet meeting under President Roosevelt in the White House was, of the necessity of things, distinctively a routine affair. The President for some time to come will be obliged to go into the details of every matter presented to him for his original action. He heard from each cabinet officer a brief summary of the situation of the public business in each department. The summary of President Roosevelt and his cabinet was that the affairs of the nation are mud less in arrears than might have been expected. President Roosevelt has adopted one general policy, which is to carry out every plan which had actually been adopted by President McKinley. Each cabinet officer has been requested to bear this fact in mind, and all matters of department policy, as well as all appointments, which had been submitted to President McKinley or which were in accordance with his general instructions, are approved now without hesitation. President Roosevelt will not even accept responsibility for any of these plans or appointments, preferring to take the grounds that he is merely executing the wishes' of hfs superior officer. As to all new plans and appointments President Roosevelt insists upon being thoroughly informed, and he has asked each cabinet officer to supply him with abundant information regarding each matter brought to his attention.

The most important report made at the first cabinet meeting under President Roosevelt was that made by Secretary Root, who spoke of the present conditions in the Philippines and in Cuba. He pointed out the fact that the new electoral law provided by the Cuban constitutional convention calls for six general elections each year, and this was regarded by the President and the members of the cabinet as an unfavorable sign, for the reason that so many elections will have a tendency to disturb business and keep the people in a state of unrest. It was suggested that although amendment or repeal of the election laws is beyond the province of the United States government, representations should be made to the Cuban authorities with a view to securing a change of this arrangement. Secretary Root pointed out that it would soon be necessary for the United States to arrange for withdrawal of American authority in the island. The date of retirement of the troops of the United States is not yet decided upon. President Roosevelt spent hla first night in the White House Monday. Mrs. Roosevelt and the children arrived Wednesday, coming directly to the White House from the train, and Wednesday evening saw the entire family comfortably established in the presidential mansion. The White House could hardly have been in better shape to receive a new occupant. Outside it glistens in a brand new coat of white lead, and the iron trimmings have been recently repainted and regilded. The east room and the other public parlors have been redecorated, and mattings and new carpets have been laid all over the house. The private apartments have also been put through a season of cleaning and refurnishing. There is some talk of fitting up the attic of the White House, a most commodious place, as a sort of indoor play ground and exercise room for the President’s children. Throughout the larger part of the year the White House is a magnet for cranks of all sorts and descriptions, male and female. In the main they are harmless and their idiosyncrasies are on the humorous side. While Congress is in session hardly a day passes without half a dozen persons who are obviously wrong in their heads attempting to gain the President’s ear. None of tte cranks who go to the White House are turned down hard by the attendants. By diplomacy, as experience has proved, they are best got rid of, and most of them are so overwhelmed by the salaaming of the selfcontained attaches abput the doors, that far from feeling badly' over it, when they find themselves gently edged out, they depart with beaming countenances and in a highly flattered state of mind.

President Roosevelt has no notion of guarding himself from the bullet of an assassin by any extraordinary means. From the time of his arrival at Buffalo the President has persistently frowned down upon the well-meant efforts of the secret service and other officials to provide him with a bodyguard day and night. President Roosevelt feels that as guards could not save the life of President McKinley at Buffalo, they cannot do much more in Washington. He does not propose to be imprudent, and will neglect no reasonable precaution. He believes, however, and has so expressed himself to his friends, that 999 out of every 1,000 American citiiens would defend their President at the risk of their own lives, and he is willing to take his own chances with the odd men. Secretary Cortelyou is at the Whit® House in his official capacity as secretary to the President. He has been urged to stay indefinitely at his post, and has taken the matter tinder consideration. A number of advantageous business offers have been made to him, as his reputation as an executive is now very great