The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-26
TAFT EULOGIzES
THE PRESIDENT
The Secretary Of War Answers
the Critics of Mr.. Roose-
welt.
Declares He Possesses Qualities
Which Make Him the Safest
of Executives.


republican rally in Ar1nory hall here
this afternoon. The secretary, who was
given an enthusiastic reception, briefly
reviewed the issues and history OF the
parties and discussed the platforms OF
both parties. He eulogized the presl-
dent highly. saying in part:
Unable really to attack the record OF
the republican party; unable really W
take any ground which makes com
batible issue with the republicans on the
main questions, the democrats now seek
to attack the president and to charge
him with violations of the constitution;
with headstrong disposition to rule or
ruin; with a tendency to Involve the
country in foreign wars; with being, in
other words, an unsafe man. In all my
experience I never have met man IN
authority who has less pride of opinion
in the judgments that he has formed In
respect to situations presented to him for
action than has Theodore Roosevelt.
have never met man who was so
amenable to reason, so anxious to reach
a just conclusion and so willing to sac
rifice previously formed opinion as the
present president of the United States.
He weighs every argument which Is
brought before him, and, If he finds pre-
viously formed opinions erroneous, he
changes them. He is not tyrant, but
he is a leader He does believe in a
|
things He sympathizes with the laborer
and the man Of wealth both when they
love the country whose protection and Sc
curity Of 1ife liberty and property they
enjoy.
| No man ever sat in the presidential
chair more anxious to avoid war or con-
| f1ict with foreign nations than he. All,
but it is said, wait until he has a free
hand after the election; then you will
see him in his true light. 1t is difficult
to answer such a gratuitous suggestion
founded as it must be on the assumption
that a man like Theodore Roosevelt
whose candor and honesty are so patent
that he almost thinks aloud has beer
Eplaying a part for three years and is only
n awaiting success at election to throw of
Z the mask. It is too ridiculous for dis.
cussion
influence on Legislation.
It is charged that he influences legisla
ton and 5transgresses the line which, un
der our constitutional system should exis
between the executive and the legislativ
branches. That 1t is unconstitutional 70
the president to confer with the member
of the house and senate, and seek to In
fuence them with respect to Legislation
. is a new doctrine In this republic. In tn
first place. the constitution gives him tn
express power and right to communicat
. with congress in giving his views wit
respect to legislation In the second place
he is made a co-ordinating factor in tn
Legislative branch Of the government, fo
he has the power Of veto. Now, then,
it possible that In conversation with mem
bers of each house he may not repeat tn
\ recommendation made in his conmunica
J ton to the house In writing or that,
view Of their joint responsibility for legis
lation, he may not advise with them q
any, time and convince them If he may
f the wisdom or unwisdom of the propose
! legislation?
: Taking up the action Of Presiden
8 Roosevelt in appointing the coal strik
}. arbitration board, he said:
a Nothing has commended him more
t the people Of the United States than hi
e action in this matter. Would Judge Par
I ker have done the same thing? I thin
not I think not, because I think he ha
= shown himself so timid in meeting isape
I that we may infer he would have she
= tered himself behind the plea that as h
:, had no institutional power as presider
:, to do what has been done he did not fe'
: justified in doing it as a private citizen.
The Philippine Question.
Mr.. Taft then took up the Philip
pine question, saying:
The republicans hope that the time ma
come when the islands may be safel
granted independence and they think thu
L it will come, but the reason why they al
not in favor Of promising that is becaus
such promise will greatly mislead tt
Filipino people and greatly compicate tt
j. situation in the Philippine islands WI
g respect to the success Of the present gp'
n eminent there and it's orderly continr
! ance. No compromise can be made
1T Filipinos except that we will grant the
d independence when they are fit for con
e Dlete self government.