with Southern blood in his veins, and deeply beloved, and they made him feel it thoroughly.

Early in January, 1906, President Roosevelt sent his annual message to Congress. At this time there were many differences of opinion in both branches of the national legislature, and by some it was thought a portion of the Republican party was about to desert Theodore Roosevelt, while some of the Democrats began to stand by him. The excitement ran high for some weeks, but in the end all went well. There was much trouble over the manner in which the Panama Canal should be built, and what should be done regarding railroad rates, and there was also the question regarding the admission of some of the territories as States. In the end Oklahoma and Indian Territory were admitted as one State, and Arizona and New Mexico were given the right to come in as another, and it was decided to build a lock canal which might, later on, be changed to a waterway at sea level. The lock canal is to be about one hundred feet on an average above the level of the ocean.

On February 17 the White House was the scene of probably the most elaborate function ever witnessed there. This was the wedding of the President's eldest daughter, Alice, to the Hon. Nicholas Longworth, Representative in Congress from Ohio. The wedding took place in the celebrated East Room, which was handsomely decorated for the purpose. There were present distinguished people from all over the United States and also the representatives of the various kings and potentates of the entire civilized world. Miss Roosevelt came in on the arm of her father, while Mrs. Roosevelt was escorted by Theodore, Jr. and followed in couples by the rest of the children of the Executive Mansion. The bride wore heavy white brocaded satin and a superb diamond necklace, the gift of the groom, and carried a bouquet of rare white orchids. The ceremony was performed by Bishop Satterlee of the Episcopal Church, and was followed by warm congratulations all round and a fine wedding repast. The affair lasted from noon to four o'clock, when the happy couple left in an automobile for a wedding tour of

Cuba. Wedding presents, many rare and costly, came from all over the world. Miss Roosevelt was counted the twelfth bride of the White House.

The House of Representatives had long needed a new office building in which to transact business, and the corner-stone of the structure was placed, in the middle of April. President Roosevelt was called upon to make a speech and delivered an address which is destined to be remembered for many years to come. In this speech he referred to a character in Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," the man with the muck rake, an individual who was forever looking downward and stirring up the dirt and filth and never looking up to see the heavens and the beauties of life. He spoke of those who are forever stirring up scandals and never doing anything to remedy them, or to help along the things which are good and true, and he also spoke of those who thought only of accumulating money. He said men ought to be more than legally honest, they should be morally so, -a grand truth well worth remembering by all my young readers. This speech became

famous as the "Muck Rake Talk," and was quoted far and wide by individuals. and likewise by the pulpit and the press.

Four days after this speech was delivered, on April 18, and for several days following, there occurred a catastrophe which has few parallels in modern history. This was the terrible earthquake at San Francisco and other points in California. The first great shock of the earthquake came early in the morning and was followed by others more or less severe. Hotels, office buildings, and private dwellings went down in one awful, dire, heartrending ruin, and the shocks were quickly followed by fire, which could not be controlled because the water mains were broken and but little water was available. Before the end came nearly the whole of the beautiful Golden Gate city was wiped out, hundreds upon hundreds of lives were lost, and thousands upon thousands of people were left destitute and homeless.

It was a fearful calamity to confront, but the Government and many State and local authorities were quick to act. While the conflagrations were still raging, Congress passed one bill appropriating one million

dollars for the relief of the sufferers and then another bill appropriating an additional million and a half. While these appropriations were being made, the Secretary of War, by the advice of President Roosevelt, purchased large quantities of supplies and hurried them to the far West with all possible speed. United States troops were sent to San Francisco to bring order out of chaos and to assist the local authorities in caring for the needy. In all of the ruined. city there was hardly a restaurant where one might get a meal or a hotel where one might rest. The parks became great camping spots, and mess halls and tents were opened up, where banker and newsboy, lawyer and laborer, society lady and seamstress, might get something to eat. Hospitals were also opened for the sick and wounded, and stations where those who were alive might look up the dead and the missing. In all of this work President Roosevelt took a lively interest, and was not above making a generous contribution of his own. From every city, town, and hamlet in the United States were sent money and supplies, and in the course of