It was as if he wanted the White House to ventilate itself of the sad fragrance of the nineteenth century. Roosevelt decided to remain at his brother-in-law's house until after the weekend. Not for them the northern exposure favored by their predecessors, with its cold white light and panorama of countless chimney pots.Ī pall of death and invalidism hung over the fusty building. Roosevelt would occupy the sunny riverview suite on the south corner. in our national history.'Īs the President worked, squads of cleaners, painters, and varnishers hastened to refurbish the private apartments down the hall. It was, a veteran observer marveled, 'quite the strangest introduction of a Chief Magistrate. He looked as if he had sat there for years. Within seconds of arrival he was leaning back in McKinley's chair, dictating letters to William Loeb. His rapid footsteps sought out the executive office over the East Room. Nodding at a pair of attaches, he hurried into the elevator and rose to the second floor. A policeman, recognizing the new President of the United States, jerked to attention, but Roosevelt, trailed by Commander Cowles, was already on his way into the vestibule. On the morning after McKinley's interment, Friday, 20 September 1901, a stocky figure in a frock coat sprang up the front steps of the White House.
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