Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-09-28
President Roosevelt on Governor TAFT.

more positive the assurance that Prcsi-
dent Roosevelt will carry out the
policy of his predecessor as regards the
Philippines or gives Governor Taft the
most willing help and cordial support
it Is supplied by an article in the lat
interesting and probably on unDrecc-
denied occurrence that the President of
the United States should be maya
zine contributor. but it is needless to
say that the article in question was
written before the tragic event which
SO suddenly put upon the shoulders
of the writer the heavy burden OF the
presidency. This. by the way, is not
the only magazine contribution by
President Roosevelt which appears,
this month. In the Octobc. Scribner's
is an interesting article. with the
Couger Hounds telling Of last win
ter's hunting experiences II Colorado.
This will attract wide attention, not
oIus lioiIi NV VI sGpA u ptt a. oA+i go
classes of readers. The article in the
Outlook is shorter, less picturesque and
without Illustrations but of vastly
greater political Importance.
Mr. Roosevelt puts on record as
his deliberate Judgment that not the
least of President McKinley's many
great services TO the country has been
the clear-sightcdness with which he has
chosen the best possible public SER
wants to perform the very difficult
tasks of acting as the first admins
traitors in the islands which came into
our hands as a result OF the Spanish
war striking instance of this is
found in his choice of Judge Taft as
the first civil governor of the Philip
pines.
OF Judge Taft himself Mr.. Roosevelt
expresses the opinion that nearly all
who have come into close contact with
him ARE agreed that he combines as
very, very few men can ever combine.
a standard of absolutely untlnching
rectitude on every point of public duty.
and a literally dauntless courage and
willingness to bear responsibility, with
a knowledge of men, and "a far-reach-
ing tact and kindness. which enable
his great abilities and high principles
to be Of use in way that would be i'm
possible were he not thus gifted with
the capacity to work hand in hand with
his fellows
In a position Of great difficulty and
delicacy, he says, Judge Taft has had
throughout the hearty, generous sup
port of the President and the intelli-
gent, cordial cooperation of secre-
tary of war above all petty jealousy
and seeking only the public good. An
immense public benefit has resulted
from this cooperation. Infinite diff
culties have been overcome. The way
has been cleared for civil rule. Aston
ishinE progress has been made already
his recommendation with regard to
industrial enterprises, for instance) Mr.
Roosevelt sees the soundest common
sense. Important as wise laws are, he
considers wise and honest administra-
ton OF the laws still more important.
He writes
For the last few months the Fill
pinOs have known degree of peace.
justice, and prosperity to which they
have never attained in their whole
previous history, and to which they
could not have appropriated in the
remotest degree had it not been for the
American stay in the islands. Under
Judge Taft they are gradually learn
ing what it means to keep faith. what
it means to have public officials of I'M
bending recitude. Under him the is
lands have seen the beginnings of a
system of good roads. good schools. up
right judges. and honest public servants.
His administration throughout has been
designed primarily for the. benefit of
the islanders themselves. and has
therefore in the truest and most
effective way been in the interest also
of the American republic Under him
the islanders are now taking the first
steps along the hard path which
ultimately leads to self-respect and
self-goNernment. That they will trav-
el this road with success to the I'LL
, innate goal there can be but little
doubt. if only our people will make il
absolutely certain that the policies in
augurated under President Mckinley
by Governor Taft shall be continued in
the future by just such men as Gov
ernor Taft
statesmen in Congress or out of Con.
gress. will do most good and leas
harm, he suggests. by following the
advice of the competent man on tn.
ground. This man. in all our new
possessions. should be the very hes
man obtainable. The people Should
hold up his hands. They should ais,
ihslSt upon the maintenance of tn,
TAFT standard. IF the curse of spoil
politics fastens itself upon the admins
'ration OF our insular dependencies
widespread disaster is sure to follow
Judge Taft did not go out to Manila 70