Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17076
Date
1919 February 23
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
SUNDAY, We attended divine services and the President invited for lunch Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Spellacy and Mr. and Mrs. Perry Francis. At luncheon the President discussed his visit to England and especially his impressions of King George. He said that one noticeable thing about the King was his extreme hatred for his German relatives, the Kaiser being his cousin. Passing into Buckingham Palace the King suddenly turned to the President and, pointing to the wonderful marble statue of Queen Victoria in the big square near the Palace, said, “Just to think that only a few short years ago I should have unveiled that statue and beside me stood that unspeakable Kaiser whose crimes have scandalized the entire world.”
Passing to the discussion of home affairs Mr. Spellacy asked the President whether he did not believe that the direct election of United States Senators by the people had weakened the strength of the Senate itself. In reply the President said that apparently this was so yet it had its compensations in that it had relieved the Senate from control by the vested interests. As a matter of fact the President said it was rather too early to debate the good value of the new plan. It had certainly made possible the election of a senator who was not the choice of the interests in control of financial affairs. One bad feature of the popular election of senators, the President pointed out was that in those states which were close politically, a candidate for Senator had to make his run first in the primaries, then if successful, he found it necessary immediately again to engage in a spirited campaign for actual election with his political rivals. This placed a double burden upon the aspirant for the office. However, the President thought that in the long run the present system of electing United States Senators has proved the ideal one.
Shortly after 2:30 in the afternoon, while the GEORGE WASHINGTON, escorted by four destroyers sent out from Boston Navy Yard was steaming toward Boston harbor one of the destroyers swerved from the column and crossed our bow, at full speed ahead signalling to our bridge to reverse our engines. The fog was very dense and before the manouvre was completed land loomed up directly ahead and only some 300 yards distant. It had not been discerned from the bridge of the GEORGE WASHINGTON and only the quick work of the destroyer had prevented the big transport from going on the beach. Had she done so under the headway that we were making she would have stuck hard and fast, if not completely wrecked. The GEORGE WASHINGTON backed away and finally stopped while soundings were taken to ascertain the depth of the water in the vicinity. Anchors were dropped to a safe distance in order to prevent the transport from drifting on the shore. Meanwhile the destroyers circled about in vain effort to find some familiar land mark so that the exact location might be determined. After about half an hour’s wait the fog lifted for a few seconds and the twin lighthouse of Thatcher’s Island loomed directly ahead. This disclosed that the GEORGE WASHINGTON had gone some seventeen miles off her course and directly to the north of Boston harbor. It was 4:15 when the fog lifted sufficiently to allow the navigator to get his direction. The afternoon however cleared up beautifully however and the run to Boston was made before 5:45. The President’s ship anchored within the harbor in what is known as President’s Roads, at 6:30 and remained there all night. About midnight Mr. Tumulty came on board. He was filled with the latest news regarding the complex political situation that had developed since the President went to Europe. He came to my room and remained until 4:00 the next morning. He returned about 8:00 and had the temerity to ask me whether I had rested well.
DIARY ENTRY: Church—Sermon by Chaplain Bloom—Lunch—Mr & mrs. Spellacy—Mr & Mrs. Perry FrancisPresident spoke of how the English—King George hated their near relatives—the Keisar etc— Discussed popular election of US Senators by the people—(1) Temporarily it lessens the best material,(2) It withdraws the interference of the Interests—(3) Hard on candidate—making campaign over a big slate for primary and then second tour for the election—except Southern states where nomination is equivalent to an election—
Passing to the discussion of home affairs Mr. Spellacy asked the President whether he did not believe that the direct election of United States Senators by the people had weakened the strength of the Senate itself. In reply the President said that apparently this was so yet it had its compensations in that it had relieved the Senate from control by the vested interests. As a matter of fact the President said it was rather too early to debate the good value of the new plan. It had certainly made possible the election of a senator who was not the choice of the interests in control of financial affairs. One bad feature of the popular election of senators, the President pointed out was that in those states which were close politically, a candidate for Senator had to make his run first in the primaries, then if successful, he found it necessary immediately again to engage in a spirited campaign for actual election with his political rivals. This placed a double burden upon the aspirant for the office. However, the President thought that in the long run the present system of electing United States Senators has proved the ideal one.
Shortly after 2:30 in the afternoon, while the GEORGE WASHINGTON, escorted by four destroyers sent out from Boston Navy Yard was steaming toward Boston harbor one of the destroyers swerved from the column and crossed our bow, at full speed ahead signalling to our bridge to reverse our engines. The fog was very dense and before the manouvre was completed land loomed up directly ahead and only some 300 yards distant. It had not been discerned from the bridge of the GEORGE WASHINGTON and only the quick work of the destroyer had prevented the big transport from going on the beach. Had she done so under the headway that we were making she would have stuck hard and fast, if not completely wrecked. The GEORGE WASHINGTON backed away and finally stopped while soundings were taken to ascertain the depth of the water in the vicinity. Anchors were dropped to a safe distance in order to prevent the transport from drifting on the shore. Meanwhile the destroyers circled about in vain effort to find some familiar land mark so that the exact location might be determined. After about half an hour’s wait the fog lifted for a few seconds and the twin lighthouse of Thatcher’s Island loomed directly ahead. This disclosed that the GEORGE WASHINGTON had gone some seventeen miles off her course and directly to the north of Boston harbor. It was 4:15 when the fog lifted sufficiently to allow the navigator to get his direction. The afternoon however cleared up beautifully however and the run to Boston was made before 5:45. The President’s ship anchored within the harbor in what is known as President’s Roads, at 6:30 and remained there all night. About midnight Mr. Tumulty came on board. He was filled with the latest news regarding the complex political situation that had developed since the President went to Europe. He came to my room and remained until 4:00 the next morning. He returned about 8:00 and had the temerity to ask me whether I had rested well.
DIARY ENTRY: Church—Sermon by Chaplain Bloom—Lunch—Mr & mrs. Spellacy—Mr & Mrs. Perry FrancisPresident spoke of how the English—King George hated their near relatives—the Keisar etc— Discussed popular election of US Senators by the people—(1) Temporarily it lessens the best material,(2) It withdraws the interference of the Interests—(3) Hard on candidate—making campaign over a big slate for primary and then second tour for the election—except Southern states where nomination is equivalent to an election—
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1919 February 23, WWP17076, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.