The Globe-republican., 1907-06-27
THURSDAY. JUNE q. 1907
TAFT IN KANSAS.

1Uhu Will VVhVnuONO P""uS~s Sss
out Of proportion to the rest OF bic
BODY. having formed my opinion
from the jokes in the newspapers.
But he 10 q finely proportional man.
True, he 10 a man Of generous girth,
but you don't notice it especially, be-
cause he 10 an enormous man in every
way. Tall and broad, with a deep
chest, big feet and big hands, big
head and big brain. You are i'm
pressed with the bigness Of the man
intellectually, as we'll as physically.
You just cant help thinking, be would
make q splendid president"
That is the estimate Of Secretary
Taft by Hutchinson lawyer. who
happened to be in Leavenworth on
business connected with the United
States court. and who happened to
meet Mr.. Taft. He hadn't expected
to meet Mr.. Taft, because he felt that
there were plenty Of others to take
up the secrstary's time, but he was
at the station when Mr.. Taft left for
Kansas City, and one Of the big men
of the state, who had been much with
the secretary, gave the Hutchinson
lawyer an introduction to the secre
tary. That smile, Of which the news
papers speak 50 much, came into evil
dence and did its business with the
Hutchinson man, as it does with all
others. They exchanged q few COM
monplaces and the secretary went on
10 his train.
II had not been particularly i'm
pressed with the secretary before
meeting him" continued this lawyer,
although I had always entertained
a high opinion Of his legal abilities
as all lawyers must, who have &C
quainted themselves with his work.
1 had also heard much about him
from intimates, who spoke Of his
charming personality, and when I
met him I understood all this. He
il what I might call common man,
that is. one easy Of approach and
naturally cordial in his greeting, q
man-you feel at once-of deep and
real sympatbies and Of the highest
character. One instantly decides.
He'll do"
1t is altogether probable that this
mans estimate Of Taft comedies with
that Of the scores of Kansans who
have met the secretary on his visit to
the state. The verdict that "He'll do
as a presidential candidate" appears
TO be unanimous. Most Kansans are
familiar with the public utterances
and activities Of the great war sec-
Rotary and endorse them. and the in
terest now is in his personality. The
personality Of q presidential candi
date counts for much and Taft's
seems TO be one that wins friends at
once. II will count for much in the
preliminary canvas for the nomina-
ton and it will count for more in the
race before the people. T
Another key to the character Of
the man is in the manner in which
he took notice Of Bryan's challenge
to him to discuss public questions in
his speech at Ottawa. The secretary
appreciated the fact that . Chautau-
qua assembly was not the proper
place to discuss politics and he re-
fused to bs tricked into . political
discussion by Bryan's challenge. BE
merely stated that his views on public
questions we're we'll known through
his previous public utterances and
that he would take occasion later ct
opportune times 10 discuss thsss
views more fully. A dignifsd and
satisfactory statement that met The
approval Of The sadience. Yes, TAFT
viii do. and Kansas win give him her
delegation 70 the next nrtional con-
vention without question. ~ Hutchin-
son News.