The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-18
TAFrs FAMOUSsPEECR Ar AKRON.


butC0auDah ~ vti ptib
To THE EDITOR OF THE sUS-Sir. l read
with great interest the editorial in The SUN
Of June . relating to Secretary Tsft's speech
delivered at Akron during my campaign for
reelection as Governor OF Ohio. The facts
we're clearly and accurately stated, but I
am inclined to think that had the writer Of
the editorial been q little more familiar with
the situation In Ohio at the time the speech
was a he would have to some extent
modified his conclusion.
Perhaps q brief review Of the circumstances
during and prior to the campaign will make
my meaning plain. By an amendment to the
Constitution adopted at the time Of my cleo
ton l was the FIRST Governor to possess the
power Of veto. Theretofore the Governor Of
the State could not be held responsible for
lesislstion-except possibly Indirectly az the
leader Of his party. Naturally. the people
we're unfamiliar with the exercise Of the veto
power as an attribute Of the ONCE OF the Chief
Executive OF the State. 1t was likely. there
fore. that for whatever use the Governor made
of his right to veto the acts Of the General
Assembly he would be criticised. and the
result justified this statement. For your in
formation I hand you herewith a copy of my
veto messages. From this you will note Q
free use OF the veto power. My disapproval
OF the acts OF the Legislature indicated In the
pamphlet was in no sense popular; but in no
instance was an attempt made to pass a
measure over my veto.
The House and the Senate we're strongly
Republican, and. a. 1t frequently happens
where opposition Ia weak, some hasty and
unwise measures slipped through. I do not
say this by way OF criticism, for the legislation
OF the General Assembly was in the main
wise and seryicesble. Unfortunately. how
ever. q number Of special interests thought
they saw an opportunity to beneft them
selves by legislation this was particularly
true OF those interested In horse racing
and they proceeded accordingly. when a
measure lesslizins race track gambling came
to me for approval I could not-having in
mind its Inhibition by the Constitution and
the welfare Of the people Of my own State
approve Of it. A is usual when a special
interest IL thwsrted. those directly concerned
we're much incensed and determined to do
what they could TO prevent the reelection Of
the Governor. regardless Of any other con-
sideration. One other special interest was
particularly active, that Of the Anti-Saloon
leaders. These people from the very begin
ming OF the session insisted on the passage
OF a so-called temperance measure that not
only was msnifestiy unfair but which con-
tanned several features clearly unconstitu-
tional. I minated TO them that II such a
measure came to mo ] should veto II, and
the result was that a fair effective temper
ance measure was passed and received my
approval. but it did not. for reasons personal
to themselves. satisfy the lobby Of Anti
Saloon leaders. and for obvious reasons IL
was equally distasteful to the liquor inter-
ests. Al the opening Of my second campaign.
therefore. there we're allied against me. in
addition to the party OF the opposition. these
two special interests and their friends, dis
appointed candidates for once and the usual
number everlastingly opposed to those In
power.
l note that you make no mention Of the
fact that Secretary Taft presided at the con-
vention at which I was unanimously nomi-
mated for q second term. In his speech at that
time he commended and approved OF all
the acts Of my administration He was in
utlIo tiOhN WNh INC party III ODlO dnu
even appointed Mr.. Cox a member OF q COM
mittee.
As the campaign progressed the arguments
Of the sincere opposition were met and the
misrepresentation OF the special interests
exposed. The people began TO realize that
the affairs Of the State had been administered
In their interest. and there was every indica-
ton that the entire Republican State ticket
would be elected by . comfortable majority.
I might say here that 10 addition to the other
cslumnies 1t had been asserted that George
q. Cox had an undue influence with the ad-
ministrstion. was repeatedly asked to
"repudiate" Coz. but as there was nothing
to repudiste. my executive acts standing in
evidence. | refused to adopt the methods Of
my detrsctors and promote my own cause
by defsmins smother. The opposition was
clearly losing ground and Its Organization
was becoming demoralized. II was Just at
this time that Secretary Taft delivered his
speech At Akron. While he absolved me
from any connection with Cox or his machine.
the fact that he recognized Coz a. q power In
the State enabled the opposition. by . wilful
Misrepresentation OF the Secretary's speech.
to gather together their rapidly disinte-
grating forces and renew the attack with great
visor. This result was immediately evident.
The odds In betting. which had been in my
favor. changed TO odds against me on the
Monday following the speech. Coz was made
an issue In the campaign. and the time re-
naming before election did not AFFORD sum-
Gent opportunity to convince the people
again that so far a. the State administr ration
was concerned the influence Of Cox. whether
malisn or otherwise. did not exist. Had the
Secretary in his srrsisnment Of bossism in
ciuded the bosses Of other large cities Of the
SYSTEMATICALLY Cleveland the effect might
have been different: but as IL was the secre-
tary's speech was undoubtedly the turning
point In the campaign.
am satisfied that the foregoing il q correct
Interpretation OF the events OF my campaign
for reelection. Secretary Taft 10 an old and
valued friend Of mine. and I have never for
one moment believed that he intended to in
jure me or my interests; but I an also firmly
convinced that the consequences Of his Akron
speech we're as I have Indicated, although