New-York tribune., 1907-12-12
PRESIDENT FAV0RS
SECRETARY TAFT.
SETTLEMENT ISSUED TO
AID HIN.
Also to Stop Misrepresentation By
Those Who Seek to DisCredit the
Administration S Policies.
tFrom The Tribune Bureau.I


from the White House tonight is in accordance
with plan which the President has contenl-
plated for some time. The only question in his
mind has been that of the most opportune time.
Made too early. too long before the national
convention. he feared that necessity for reiter-
ating it might arise while he felt sensitive that,
in view of his clear and unequivocal declaration
of Election Night, even its repetition at this
time should have been necessary. On the other
hand. the misrepresentation of his enenies
and more especially the enemies OF his poicleS'
who have been seeking in every possible mannes
TO discredit him and to make Of his continueo
si,ence an obstacle to the candidacy OF William
IT Taft whose success President Roosevelt de-
sires to do everything he properly can TO pro-
mote, decided him to make public MS purpoSo
now.
The President has entertained no anxiety re-
garding his own reputation with the American
people. He has felt that the great body or tns
people knew him and appreciated that ne was q
man Of his word. not to be swerved even by the
uidesnread and fattering demand that he sue
ceed himself. But he has for some weeks ap-
nreCtated
his continued silence might be used to hamper
the interests of Secretary Taft and to check the
progress OF that healthy Presidential boom
which he believes the Secretary Of War enjoys
In almost every section of the country. He has
carefully watched the progress of events. and
finally determined that once the Republican Ma
ttonal Committee had met and selected the time
-oTyrr,
reiterate finally, and In unmistakable terms. his
Election Night statement.
From now on active political work will begin
in every section of the country looking to the
selection and instruction of delegates to the
Republican National Convention. The President
fully appreciates that in many instances pro-
fessed loyalty to him has been and was to be
utilized cloak to antagonism both to his
! policies and to the political welfare Of the man
whom he regards as pre-eminently suited BY
character and experience to carry the work
/ where he leaves off. Determined that this
! cease. that his friends and his enemies shall be
made to show themselves in their true colors.
and that efforts to becloud the situation with
intimations and even statements that he can be
persuaded or forced to accept another nominal
ton shall hereafter fail, the President decided
issue to-night's statement, which he confidently
| expects will eliminate all honest consideration
| of himself as a possible Presidential candidate.
| and he hopes will pave the way for his friends
to align themselves with the political fortunes
OF the man whom he regards his most suit
able and most probable successor.
In deciding to issue to-nights statement. the
President acted with the advice OF Secretary
Root, Postmaster General Meyer and Secretary
Garfield. all Of whom are stanch friends Of Sec
retary Taft, and OF Secretary Loeb. who is an
equally strong supporter Of Mr.. Taft
Last Saturday night the President intimated
to certain newspaper friends that such a state
ment would be Forthcoming in the near future.
and promised them that they should have due
notice from the White House when he
ready to make 1t public. IN accordance with
this promise he caused the statement to be type
written and handed to the correspondents whom
he summoned to the White House this evening
In the opinion Of Republicans here the Presi-
dents clear cut reassertion that he Will not "ac-
cept another nomination" will serve completely
to eliminate the further consideration OF his
name 1t is declared that his course will COM
mand unqualified admiration, but it is also said
that no Republican national convention, know
ing Mr.. Roosevelt's determination not to ac-
cept, will vote for him. because to do so would
so Enthusiastically stamp the candidate ultimately
chosen as the partys second choice that II would
seriously hamper his chances of success 1t was
with full appreciation of this fact that the Presi-
dent prepared his statement and declared in the
simplest and most unequvocal language. II
have not changed and shall not change. the de-
cjsion thus announced
1t may be stated without breach OF confidence
that il had been the purpose of the President 90
withhold his statement until Secretary Taft
landed in New York but the complication OF the
situation by who pretended to have his in
forests al heart or TO be. by virtue of their
rroxtmitv to the administration. his unofficial
srokssmen. led him no longer to delay his
nouncement-
Senator Long of Kansas. commenting on the
Presidents statement said tonight: The state
ment of President Roosevelt clears the political
skies which should never have been cloudsd
s;rce his former statement, which he now re-
peats Secretary Taft would never have been
a candidate had there been the slightest hkeil-
hood that under any circumstances. the Presi-
dent would have accepted another noEnnatiGn
,snr that President Roosevelt declares second
xv,sr1ari ion