The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-30
TAFT DEFINES HIS ATTITUDE.
NOT SEEKING THE PRESIDEN.
TIAL. NOMINATION.
ne Doubts His Availability but Says That
I'm the Improbable Event OF the NOmina-
ton Coming 20 Him He would Not De-
elmo u-HIs Ambition Not Political.

ton Coming TO Him He would Not De
cline It-His Ambition Not Political.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2e.-In q prepared
statement made public to-day William
howard Taft. the Secretary Of War, said
that he was not a candidate for the Presi-
Dental nomination. Everybody in Wash
ington who knows anything Of what IA
going on in a political way knew that,
rut there were other things in the state
ment which are interesting in throwing
side lights on the talk about Taft and the
Presidency. This is the statement:
For the purpose Of relieving the burden
imposed by recent publications upon some
of my friends among the Washington news
PAPER correspondents Of putting further In
quires to me l wish to say that my ambition
Is not political; that l am not seeking the
Presidential nomination.; that 1 do not
expect to be the Republican candidate.
81 for no other reason because OF what
secm TO me TO be objections to my avail
ability, which do not appear to lessen with
the continued discharge OF my official
uuties; but am not foolish enough to say
that in the improbable event that the oppor-
funity to run for the great Office Of President
were to come to me I should decline 1t. for
this would not be true
This is the first public utterance made by
Hlr. Taft, or for that matter by any other
prominent available Republican, concern
Ing the use OF his name as a candidate for
the Presidential nomination in 1908. 1t was
drawn out by the publication Of what
seemed to be an authentic explanation Of
Mr.. Taft's attitude with reference to the
selection Of Mr.. Ro0sevelt's successor.
Whether tho explanation was authentic
ar not the idea got o that it was, and
Mr.. Taft found that be had to say some
thing to explain exactly what his position
was or give the impression by silence that
he had authorized it.
From the standpoint of the politicians
the meat OF Mr.. Taft's brief statement
Of to-day is in the concluding phrase to
the effect that he would not decline the
opportunity to run for President II it were
10 come TO him. This means, of course,
exactly what it says, and does not mean,
as some people In Washington would have
II, that Mr.. Taft is now an out and out candi-
date for the Presidency. Nor, on the other
hand, does 1t mean that Mr.. Taft has en-
tirsly eliminated himself from the contest
for highest preferment two years hence.
II has been known In Washington for a
long time exactly how Mr.. Taft stood with
reference TO the alluring prospect held
out to him Of being the Republican standard
bearer in the nex national campaign.
Naturally-hewes hsttered over assurances
from not only his own friends but from
many leading Republicans that he was
the one man who could save his party and
his country in 1908. Besides, he knew,
as nearly everybody did. that he was Presi-
dent R~oosevelt's favorits for the race.
But Mr.. Taft was not carried on his feet
10y these batteries. He positively declined
TO permit his friends to herald him as a
candidate for Mr.. Roosevelt's shoes or to
make any effort, no matter how ciroum-
specify conducted, to get him prestige
and votes among those who VIII have a
way In the selection Of the next Republican
nominee. He put his foot down hard or
All the suggestions and opportunities that
Sarns to him, and when Mr.. Taft puts his
loot down there Isn't any individual or COM
bination Of individuals strong enough
TO lift It. =
Early this year, when IL became known
chat President Roosevelt had offered to
secretary Taft the place On the. United
States Supreme Bench to be made vacant
10y the prospective retirement Of Associate
Justice Henry:B.'i Brown, there was a lot
IF talk about Mr. Taft's Presidential pros
poets. 1t was said then that the Presi-
Ter wanted to get Mr.. Taft out Of the way
so that he (Mr. Roosevelt) could obtain
another nomination. AS a matter OF fact
Mr.. Roosevelt had no intention at that time
and has none now Of trying TO secure a third
term. He made the offer to Mr.. Taft because
oil Mr.. Taft's tendencies were toward the
bench, and it was not as an act OF question
able friendliness but al a compliment to a
man whom he liked as much for his ability
as for personal reasons hat the President
gave Mr.. Taft the opportunity OF realizing
his ambition to don the ermine.
When Mr.. Taft declined, after several
months consideration, to accept the fatter-
ing prefer OF a dignifed life Office, and
William II. Moody, another member OF
Mr.. Rooseveit's Cabinet, was chosen for
Justice Browns place, there was a natural
resumption OF the reports that Mr.. Taft
was listening to the buzzing OF the Presi-
dental bee. But those who credited these
reports overlooked the important fact
that they we're not fully acquainted with
the circumstances which led to Mr.. Taft's
declination.
Al the time President Roosevelt told
Mr.. Taft that the coming vacancy on the
highest judicial tribunal wa Mr.. Taft's
If he wanted il the Secretary Of War was
engaged in work which he was anxious to
complete before leaving the War Depart
ment. Panama Canal affairs were not
progressing a. satisfactorily ~ Mr.. Taft
desired and there were things to be done
with reference to the Philippines which
he wanted to do. himself. There were other
important policies pending also. In not
giving to the President a positive answer
At the time the Supreme Court oNer was
made Mr.. Taft was influenced mainly by
the desire to adjust canal affairs. Philippine
affairs and other affairs within his jurisdlc-
ton before the War Department.
Later when he declined 20 accept the
proher he wasin6uenced to a great degree
ny these same conditions, although It il
reasonable to suppose that he felt TO a