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all my influence to prevent the colonel's nomination。 This friend said to me： 〃The governor's situation； officially and personally； makes it impossible for him to go to Washington。 On the official side are his unfinished legislation and the new legislation greatly needed by the State； which will add enormously to his reputation and pave the way for his future。 He has very little means。 As governor his salary is ample。 The Executive Mansion is free； with many contributory advantages； and the schools of Albany admirable for the education of his six children。 While in Washington the salary of vice…president is wholly inadequate to support the dignity of the position； and it is the end of a young man of a most promising career。〃
I knew what the friend did not know； and it was that Mr。 Roosevelt could not be governor again。 I was so warmly attached to him and so anxious for his future that I felt it was my duty to force his nomination if possible。
Governor Odell was chairman of the delegation for all convention purposes； but in the distribution of honors I was made the presiding officer at its meetings。 The delegation met to consider the vice…presidency。 Several very eloquent speeches were made in favor of Mr。 Roosevelt； but in an emphatic address he declined the nomination。 He then received a unanimous vote； but again declined。 A delegate then arose and suggested that he reconsider his determination； and several others joined most earnestly in this request。 Roosevelt was deeply affected； but； nevertheless； firmly declined。
I knew there was a member of the delegation who had canvassed it to secure the honor in case Roosevelt became impossible； and that the next motion would be the nomination of this aspirant。 So I abruptly declared the meeting adjourned。 I did this in the hope that during the night； with the pressure brought to bear upon him； the colonel would change his mind。 In the morning Mr。 Roosevelt surrendered his convictions and agreed to accept the nomination。
In every convention there is a large number of men prominent in their several delegations who wish to secure general attention and publicity。 As there were no disputes as to either candidate or platform； these gentlemen all became anxious to make speeches favoring the candidates； McKinley and Roosevelt。 There were so many of these speeches which； of course； were largely repetitions； that the convention became wearied and impatient。 The last few were not heard at all on account of the confusion and impatience of the delegates。 While one orator was droning away； a delegation from a Western State came over to me and said： 〃We in the extreme West have never heard you speak； and won't you oblige us by taking the platform？〃
I answered： 〃The audience will not stand another address。〃 Roosevelt； who sat right in front of me； then remarked： 〃Yes； they will from you。 These speeches have pretty nearly killed the ticket； and if it keeps up； the election is over； and McKinley and I are dead。〃 He then seized me and almost threw me on the platform。
The novelty of the situation； which was grasped by the delegates； commanded attention。 I recalled what Mr。 Lincoln had once said to me； defending his frequent use of anecdotes； and this is what he said： 〃Plain people； take them as you find them； are more easily influenced through the medium of a broad and humorous illustration than in any other way。〃
I had heard a new story； a rare thing； and began with the narration of it。 Alongside the chairman sat Senator Thurston。 He was a fine speaker； very ornate and highly rhetorical。 He never indulged in humor or unbent his dignity and formality。 I heard him say in a sepulchral voice to the chairman： 〃Great God； sir； the dignity and solemnity of this most important and historical occasion is to be ruined by a story。〃 Happily the story was a success and gave the wearied audience two opportunities to hear my speech。 Their laughter was internal relief； and it was giving the external relief of changing their positions for new and more restful ones。
My friend； John M。 Thurston； came to Philadelphia with a most elaborate and excellent oration。 Sitting in the audience on three different occasions； I heard it with as much pleasure the last time as I had the first。
When Mr。 Roosevelt as vice…president came to preside over the Senate； it was soon evident that he would not be a success。 His talents were executive and administrative。 The position of the presiding officer of the United States Senate is at once easy and difficult。 The Senate desires impartiality； equable temper； and knowledge of parliamentary law from its presiding officer。 But it will not submit to any attempt on the part of the presiding officer to direct or advise it； and will instantly resent any arbitrary ruling。 Of course； Mr。 Roosevelt presided only at a few meetings before the final adjournment。 When Congress met again he was President of the United States。
Senators and members soon found that there was a change at the White House。 No two men were ever so radically different in every respect as McKinley and Roosevelt。 Roosevelt loved to see the people in a mass and rarely cared for private or confidential interviews。 He was most hospitable and constantly bringing visitors to luncheon when the morning meetings in the executive offices had closed； and he had not had a full opportunity to hear or see them。
Senator Hanna was accustomed to have a few of his colleagues of the Senate dine with him frequently； in order to consult on more effective action upon pending measures。 President Roosevelt； who knew everything that was going on； often burst into Hanna's house after dinner and with the utmost frankness submitted the problems which had arisen at the White House； and upon which he wished advice or； if not advice； supportmore frequently support。
Any one who attended the morning conferences； where he saw senators and members of the House； and the public； was quite sure to be entertained。 I remember on one occasion I had been requested by several friends of his； men of influence and prominence in New York； to ask for the appointment of minister to a foreign government for a journalist of some eminence。 When I entered the Cabinet room it was crowded； and the president knew that I was far from well； so he at once called my name； asked how I was and what I wanted。 I told him that I had to leave Washington that day on the advice of my doctor for a rest； and what I wanted was to present the name of a gentleman for appointment as a minister； if I could see him for five minutes。
The president exclaimed： 〃We have no secrets here。 Tell it right out。〃 I then stated the case。 He asked who was behind the applicant。 I told him。 Then he said； 〃Yes； that's all right；〃 to each one until I mentioned also the staff of the gentleman's newspaper； which was one of the most prominent and powerful in the country but a merciless critic of the president。 He shouted at once： 〃That settles it。 Nothing which that paper wishes will receive any consideration from me。〃 Singularly enough； the paper subsequently became one of his ardent advocates and supporters。
On another occasion I