1909- Celebration Notes

 

Charlotte Daily Observer 5/21/1909 p. 7

CELEBRATION NOTES.  

The coming of the President has directed attention to the affairs of the nation to a marked degree.  Congress is now and has been in session since early in March and many predictions have been made that it would not adjourn until sometime in August.  It has developed that an agreement has been reached among the leaders to have the tariff bill all ready for the President’s signature by the latter part of next month, so that adjournment may be taken certainly before the first of July.

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Contrasts are noticed by everybody.  It was due to this fact, perhaps, that the sign which stretched itself near the square, “Get Right With God,” in electric letters and a painted sign on the other side of the street, “Near-Beer Saloon” struck everybody as gross incongruities.  The first sign was prominent as it sent forth its profound message from the topmost point of one of the buildings near the square.  The crowd, however, appeared to have taken more obedient notice of the other sign.

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An incident that happened while President Taft was sitting in the reviewing stand during the awful downpour of rain attracted considerable notice and evidenced the kindliness of his heart and his fine consideration of the feelings of others.  While the torrent was at its worst and Mrs. Stonewall Jackson, who was sitting by his side, was trying to protect her feet from the dampness of the floor, the President took his walking-cane and lifted her feet from the wetness, holding them there until she was taken into a closed carriage.  Perhaps only a few saw the act of the President, but those were impressed with his fine sense of hospitality and consideration of one of the noblest characters in the entire Southland.

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Congressman Rodenberg, of Illinois, who is one of the distinguished visitors during the celebration, became a fast friend of Mrs. Stonewall Jackson during his stay in the city.  Being an adept in historical research and having read of the noble husband of this great woman, Mr. Rodenberg, when informed that he would become acquainted with Mrs. Jackson, remarked:  

“Well, I will count myself sufficiently paid for the trip if I get to shake hands with that fine woman.”  

Mr. Rodenberg is a great admirer of the history of Stonewall Jackson, the renowned Confederate general, and during his stay in the city, he took occasion to acquaint himself thoroughly with Mrs. Jackson’s fine qualities.

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This is the second time the United States government has given official recognition of the authenticity of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.  Through the kindly and patriotic efforts of Mr. S. S. McNinch, the government lent itself to the celebration three years ago when Mr. McNinch was mayor.  At that time President Roosevelt, who could not come himself, ordered special troops to come to Charlotte and assist in making the occasion memorable.  Mr. McNinch’s efforts three years ago ably guided the committee this year and he, besides, was one of the committee that went to Washington some weeks ago and importuned the President, not only to send troopers, but to come himself and make a speech .  It is, therefore, largely due to the efforts of the ex-mayor that the national government has taken notice of the Declaration of Independence and has been induced to lend its assistance in making the event of national interest.

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President Taft laughed heartily at many comic features of the parade yesterday, but he enjoyed nothing half so much as the physiognomy of Jimmie Peoples, one of the most popular U. C. T. men in the city.  The physique of Jimmie struck the Chief Executive at once and he watched his toddling form as it passed on down South Tryon street intently and just as long as he could.  Jimmie, be it known, is fashioned somewhat after the similitude of the President, except in height. His rotundity is just as marked and the marked difference between the bodily forms of both is in the height of President Taft.  Jimmie is about as broad as he is long, being uncommonly round, but uncommonly low as to statue.  When the President’s beaming face hit upon the toddling form of the popular traveling salesman as it passed in front of the reviewing stand, the crowd cheered wildly and the nation’s first man simply laughed out loud.  Nobody appreciated the situation any more than Jimmie, either.

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Representative William A. Rodenberg, of the twenty-second Illinois district, after spending yesterday in the city, with Mrs. Rodenberg, who came down from Morganton, where she is spending some time at Mrs. P. L. Murphy’s with Mrs. H. E. C. Bryant, leaves this morning, accompanied by Mrs. Rodenberg and Mrs. Bryant, for Morganton for two days before returning to Washington.  Mr. Rodenberg has been a good friend of the North Carolina Congressmen who have wanted public buildings for towns in their districts.  As chairman of the sub-committee on buildings and grounds he has given a helping hand to many Southerners.  This is not his first trip to Charlotte.  He was here for a day last year.  Last night, after the festivities were over, Mr. Rosenberg said that it was worth his trip down here to meet Mrs. Stonewall Jackson.

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General regret was expressed that the French Ambassador and Mrs. Jusserand did not visit Charlotte.  They were with the President in Petersburg but were forced to return direct to Washing from there.  Their presence would have augmented the public interest in the celebration.

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And did you ever see such a rain?  There were no showers such as the weather man predicted.  The downfall was continuous and heavy with slight intermissions when it drizzled steadily.  The 20th of May has heretofore enjoyed a splendid reputation for behavior but all the records were smashed yesterday.  The bedraggled decorations were pathetic in places, particularly where the dyes had begun to fade.  The crowds, however, were gay, game and, in spite of contrary appearances at times, debonair.  The celebration, the elements to the contrary notwithstanding, was a grand success.

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On the special train with the President were Capt. Archibald W. Butt, of the quartermaster’s department, United States army, who holds the important position of military aide to the President; Mr. Wendell W. Mischler, assistant secretary to the President, and Messrs. James Sloan and Lucien C. Wheeler, secret service men, who are ever at the President’s elbow to guard against possible trouble.  Captain Butt saw service in the Philippines and Cuba and is one of the most affable of the younger officers of the army.  Messrs. Sloan and Wheeler are regular men on duty at the White House and are of course the best the secret service bureau affords.

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The thoughtfulness of the President was strikingly evidenced in Petersburg Wednesday night.  Some delay had been experienced in getting into that city and the trip out was to be made as a special.  Traveling Passenger Agent Burgess, of Richmond, Va., was along in his private car.  The newspaper men, representing the great journals of the country, were unfortunately placed in that the schedules were such that they could not secure undisturbed rest, the operation of the regular trains being such that they would have to be disturbed several times during the night.  President Taft, learning of the situation, invited all of them into his special and the trip to Charlotte was made under most advantageous circumstances.  The visiting newspaper men were Messrs. Richard V. Oulahan, Washington correspondent of The New York Sun; Robert H. Patchin, of the Washington office of The New York Herald; H. L. Dunlap, of the Washington office of The New York World; William Hoster, Washington correspondent of The New York American; Robert H. Hazard, representing The United Press; Robert W. Small, of the Washington office of The Associated Press, and James Hay, Jr., of The Washington Times.  A better known or more capable set of newspaper men could hardly be gathered together anywhere in the country, representing as they do the most influential papers.  They were here to see for millions of readers.

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The following telegram explains the absence of Gen. Julian S. Carr, of Durham.  It was dated from Richmond, Va:  “’Twas my purpose to be with you to-day but missed my Richmond connection.  I travel just a plain American citizen.  I pay my fare and neither claim nor receive any special concessions.  Was with the President yesterday in Petersburg and it breaks my heart not to be in Charlotte to-day.”

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The hosts of Charlotte friends of Capt. H. M. Bankhead, of the Seventeenth Regiment of Infantry, stationed at present at Fort McPherson, Ga., will be interested to learn that he yesterday received his promotion to the rank of major.  Captain, now Major, Bankhead is one of the most likeable officers in the service and his many friends in this city will rejoice at his good fortune coming as it did while a guest in the city.

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PRESIDENT TAFT’S ROOMS.  

The Parker Gardner Company fitted up in the Selwyn Hotel the two rooms for the private use of President Taft.  One of them was a complete dining room, and the other a library.  The dining room was equipped in the handsomest solid mahogany procurable, the furniture consisting of a sideboard, buffet, china closet, serving table, two arm chairs and twelve side chairs.  

In the library was also solid mahogany furniture, consisting of a davenport, library table, besides a number of easy chairs and rockers.  

The wall was hung with beautiful and appropriate pictures, and the floors were covered with the very finest rugs.  It is safe to say that two more magnificent rooms than these cannot be found, all being done for President Taft’s pleasure and comfort.