The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-04
FOR TAFT.
Justice Brewer Discusses the Political
situation at Kansas City.

speaking as one with adtnoF4sys AAAsst
Roosevelt is pushing forward Taft as
his successor"
This statement was made at the
Baltimore hotel by David J. Brewer
associated justice Of the United States
supreme court. 1T would be telling
politics." he said, when questioned as
to Taft's chances of election
To William Jennings Bryan he paid
a very cordial word. He compared
the Democratic leader and Roosevelt
as to their qualities Of honesty, sin-
cerfty of purpose, purity and eieanli-
ness of life, and said that, as it has
been with Roosevelt, there would be
no scandal in the White House if
Bryan were there. This talk" said
the judge, of hystericaI people, that
the country is going to the dogs, finds
its complete dissipation in the charac-
ter of these men. 1t is very com
fOrting thing to know that the two
great parties have such honest lead
ers.
Roosevelt will not run again, from
a standpoint of honor" said Judge
Brewer. He believes in the Wash
ington principle that president
should have but two terms, though
technically Mr.. Roosevelt has had but
one. But he has stated through vari-
Gus mediums that he Will not again be
a candidate, and any man who knows
Roosevelt knows that he means what
he says. and does not say what he
does not mean. 7 should be most Won
derfully astounded to see him enter
the race again.
He will not, in my opinion, unless
some very extreme exigency arises.
It would have to be a most unusual,
or better, something of a necessary
condition, under which he would take
such a step. Roosevelt's word is good,
and l apply that measure 10 the state
ments which have emanated from the
AL
sens
Il do not speak as one having au-
thorty when I say this" continued
the judge, but believe that Roose-
Welt is pushing Taft forward as ks
successor Don't understand me to
on that score. but I believe it,
What about Root?" was asked.
Roosevelt is very fond of Root and
Root IS great man, a forceful, splen-
did character" replied Judge Brewer.
He has a great standing among the
man. But he is not close to the people
as are Roosevelt and Taft No. be-
lieve that Roosevelt favors Taft
VIII Taft carry out the Rooseveltian
idea and policy?" was asked.
Taft More TactfuI.
Yes" answered Judge Brewer, but
with less friction. Roosevelt is inpuls-
solutely honest, decisive but the kind
est hearted man in the world He pri-
marily believes in the eminent need of
honesty in the discharge of all public
duties. He will not hesitate to say to
a mans face what he thinks if that
man is dishonest. and he does not hest
tate to say the same thing to that mans
friends about him. He does not mince
words. There is no beating about the
bush. Roosevelt shoulders every re-
sponsibility which belongs to him. I
did it, he will say when the cabinet
questions something in which he moved
centrally He is a fighter. He has done
things that are termed mistakes.
Trouble. I believe, has been averted
in some cases only because of the i'm
plicit faith which the people Of this
country have in his honesty and in
tegrity. He is an indefatSzable worker.
He is doing something all the time The
great wonder to me is that he has not
broken down. He is ambitious loves
to be in the front, where the action IS
in the dramatic. I like that kind of am
bition. The people like it. They know
and believe in Roosevelt He is won
derfully popular
Take. on the other hand. Taft He is
honest, sincere. fearless just as much
so as Roosevelt. Again he is a popular
man with the people. In many ways he
is like Roosevelt. He does things. But
he does them in a somewhat different
way. He, if president, would have less
friction He is not quite as impulsive
and as decisive as Roosevelt. But he
would make a great president. He is a
remarkable man. He is man Of the
people,
Gould he be elected?" was asked.
The Vagaries of Politics.
IAN answer to that either in the af-
frmative or in the negative would be
telling politics" replied the judge, land
49,
things happen politically. Let me give
an example. At a Union League club
banquet in Chicago ten years ago I
made an address. At one of the taSles
sat William Jennings Bryan He was
practically unknown then outside of his
own state. Who would have thought
that within two years he would be the
nominee of the Democrats for presf-
dent?
But here is another example on the
other side. IN a group of 40 or so men
Of a cabinet meeting in Washington
number of years ago, to which the as
sistant secretaries were invited, sat
Theodore Roosevelt. assistant secretary
of the navy Had a prophet come into
that room and said that one of the
members sitting there would become
president of the United States, not
man would have picked out Theodore
Roosevelt Just few years later he
held that position.
so 1 would not attempt to answer
any question as to results It is an
impOssibility'
The judge then spoke of Bryan, and
the wonderful popularity which the Ne
braskan has in this country. Bryan is
honest innately So, he said. The poo
pie believe him sincere, whether or not
they differ with him on political issues.
His long standing with his party. at the
high place which he occupies, proves
that fact conclusively. If Bryan were
chosen president there would be no NJ ed
Of fearing White House scandal He
would associate about him in office
just such men as has Roosevelt, men in
whom he believes, men he thinks square
and honest. This country IS not goine
to the bow-wows. That kind Of talk
is silly. One has to stop bus a moment
and think of the men who are a the
forefront in party leadership on both
sides, and he quickly satisfies himself
that above everything thew are honest,
upright. and sincere"