They were already old men when I came to the Presidency; and doubtless there were points on which I seemed to them to be extreme and radical; but eventually they found that our motives and beliefs were the same, and they did all in their power to help any movement that was for the interest of our people as a whole.

I had met them when I was Civil Service Commissioner and Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

All I ever had to do with either was to convince him that a given measure I championed was right, and he then at once did all he could to have it put into effect.

If I could not convince them, why! that was my fault, or my misfortune; but if I could convince them, I never had to think again as to whether they would or would not support me.

There were many other men of mark in both houses with whom I could work on some points, whereas on others we had to differ.