The Triumphant Life of Theodore Roosevelt edited by J. Martin Miller

DAILY LIFE AT THE WHITE HOUSE 8i
home government, call. Other distinguished foreigners are
also received at this time. These are always received in the
Blue Room at the White House residence.
After these official duties are dispensed with, the President
greets large bodies of visitors who are in Washington. The
most notable instances during the year IQ04 were the receptions
given the Knights of Columbus, the United German
Societies, the D. A. R.'s, the Colonial Dames; and the G. A.
R.'s during their encampment in the fall of 1902. By three
o'clock the President is back in the office again, and takes up
with his secretary the mail that has accumulated during the
day. He signs various state papers, all army and navy com-
missions, the commissions of every postmaster in the land,
commissions of treasury officials, consular and diplomatic offi-
cers, all department of justice appointments, such as United
States judges and United States attorneys, marshals, etc., all
pardons, all proclamations affecting the opening of govern-
ment lands, forest reserves, etc., as well as all Indian leases.
All bills and resolutions of Congress are also signed by the
President.
FOND OF HORSEBACK RIDING
He usually works until 6 p. m., but when he can get away
he mounts his horse and is away for a gallop through the out-
lying country around Washington, or over across the hills of
Virginia. Often he is accompanied by Mrs. Roosevelt, or
some of the children. They are all fond of horseback riding.
The two eldest boys and Ethel, when they are at home from
school, nearly always accompany their father on these horse-
back journeys for health and diversion. Occasionally, Miss
Alice accompanies her father on these horseback jaunts. Miss
Alice is also something of an expert as a horseback rider.