TAFT AT PRESS CLUB DINNER
New York Times
He and Major Butt Entertained in Louisville-Col. Watterson Speaks
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LOUISVILLE, Nov. 8.--A dinner by the Louisville Press Club was
the principal feature of President Taft's visit here this evening, and at it the President divided honors with his military aid, Major Archibald Butt, who formerly was a Louisville newspaper man. As the President himself was once a reporter in Cincinnati the dinner was given on the basis of one newspaper man to another.
Mr. Taft arrived here at 6 o'clock from Frankfort and went at once to the armory where he made a brief address advocating his policies looking toward international peace. From the armory he went immediately to the dinner.
Col. Watterson was the principal speaker at the dinner, and after a lot of good-natured badinage regarding Major Butt, he told what he would do if he were President. His remarks were entirely facetious. Of Major Butt, he said:
"What I do want to say, especially to you young gentlemen of the press," said Col. Watterson, "is this---that there is no one of you who may not be headed for the White House. Look at Archie
Butt! Archie was not a common reporter. He was born a swell---good clothes and good looks and good manners were natural to him. He has been greater than President; the guide, philosopher,
and friend of a pair of Presidents. He once told me they were a good pair to draw to, and maybe I shall make three-of-a-kind.
" It was his gentle influence which kept Theodore Roosevelt from declaring himself a dictator. It is said that William Howard Taft considers him his mascot, and looks to him to insure his
re-election. When I reach the White House I shall expect to find him there to welcome me, and I shall say to him: `Archie, when you were a poor young man, I was your friend---you'll not desert me now.' "
Col. Watterson declared that if he were asked point blank what he really thought of the President, he would say:
"As the old lady at the mourners' bench said, when asked if she did not love the Lord, 'It's mighty comfortin' to have Him around.' all [sic] of us are proud and happy to have him with us. none [sic] the less those of us who may not always agree with his conclusions, never doubting his intentions. This night, at least, let us know no parties and no distinctions. Let it for a little while be not "Mr. President,' not even "William,' but just plain 'Bill.'"
The President will remain here tonight and leave to-morrow morning for Hodgenville, Ky., where he will dedicate the Lincoln Memorial Hall.
---
LOUISVILLE, Nov. 8.--A dinner by the Louisville Press Club was
the principal feature of President Taft's visit here this evening, and at it the President divided honors with his military aid, Major Archibald Butt, who formerly was a Louisville newspaper man. As the President himself was once a reporter in Cincinnati the dinner was given on the basis of one newspaper man to another.
Mr. Taft arrived here at 6 o'clock from Frankfort and went at once to the armory where he made a brief address advocating his policies looking toward international peace. From the armory he went immediately to the dinner.
Col. Watterson was the principal speaker at the dinner, and after a lot of good-natured badinage regarding Major Butt, he told what he would do if he were President. His remarks were entirely facetious. Of Major Butt, he said:
"What I do want to say, especially to you young gentlemen of the press," said Col. Watterson, "is this---that there is no one of you who may not be headed for the White House. Look at Archie
Butt! Archie was not a common reporter. He was born a swell---good clothes and good looks and good manners were natural to him. He has been greater than President; the guide, philosopher,
and friend of a pair of Presidents. He once told me they were a good pair to draw to, and maybe I shall make three-of-a-kind.
" It was his gentle influence which kept Theodore Roosevelt from declaring himself a dictator. It is said that William Howard Taft considers him his mascot, and looks to him to insure his
re-election. When I reach the White House I shall expect to find him there to welcome me, and I shall say to him: `Archie, when you were a poor young man, I was your friend---you'll not desert me now.' "
Col. Watterson declared that if he were asked point blank what he really thought of the President, he would say:
"As the old lady at the mourners' bench said, when asked if she did not love the Lord, 'It's mighty comfortin' to have Him around.' all [sic] of us are proud and happy to have him with us. none [sic] the less those of us who may not always agree with his conclusions, never doubting his intentions. This night, at least, let us know no parties and no distinctions. Let it for a little while be not "Mr. President,' not even "William,' but just plain 'Bill.'"
The President will remain here tonight and leave to-morrow morning for Hodgenville, Ky., where he will dedicate the Lincoln Memorial Hall.
Related Biographies:
Archibald Willingham Butt
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Mark Baber
