Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-11-28
naskuMs EXPLAINS IT.
Tells Whist He Said In Recent Inter-
view and Why He Said L.

. The following IL a letter from Congre-s
N an Kittredge Haskins OF Braftietcro. rel
alive to an interview concerning presicen-
tiaI candidates printed several weeks ago
In Washington and New York papers snc
" idely commented upon in the Vermont
rress:-
ssHaying patiently waited Tor the
clouds OF criticism to roll by, which Ger
tain OF our Vermont newspapers created
by reason OF q reported interview alleged
TO have been had with me by representa-
tiyes of Washington, New York and Bos-
ton papers as to the presidential prefer
ences OF the Republicans Of Vermont. IL l.
now my turn TO say q word OF expisna-
ton. By reason OF the uncertainty OF be-
ing reported correctly, l have always
avoided interviews intended for publics-
ton. / now affirm for the information OF
such as care TO know the truth that new
er had any interview with reference 10 the
subject matter OF which criticism has
been made, with anyone connected with
a New York or Boston newspaper, to my
knowledge, nor with anyone connected
with a Washington newspaper with
view TO its publication.
"sitting in the lobby Of the New Will
ard hotel, Washington, ID. C., the even
ing of October Is, was approached by
gentleman tuOm rteokuslfo ~ h"ftA+t
seen before, but did not know his name
or occupation. He addressed me by name
and as one OF the Representatives from
Vermont and for ten or fifteen minutes
we conyersed OF various topics, including
the presidential outlook for next year.
Curing this conversation be informed me
that he was connected with The Washing
ton Post. and / then said TO him that
could not talk for publication and at the
conclusion requested him not to make
public anything i had said. He replied
that he desired to make an item for Tie
Post and that whatever be wrote would
not be at all to my cetrinent- The next
morning ! read in The Post what pur-
ported to be an interview with me and on
NY way home saw the same, substantially,
in two New York newspapers-one The
Tribune. Some things did say were cor
rectly reported, some incorrectly, and
some things did say were not reported at
all. I did say TO him that the president
was very popular in Vermont with both
Republicans and Democrats and were ii
understood that he was 10 be a candidate,
Vermont would, unquestionably, send
delegation to the convention favorable TO
his denomination, but in view of his pub
lished statement, made the evening Of the
last presidential election that be should
not be a candidate again, nor would he ac-
cept of another nomination, believed he
would stand by that declaration and,
therefore. his name could be safely elimi
mated from among possible candidates. i
stated that was opposed to third term
and that SO far my knowledge ex-
tended, the strong, thinking men Of the
country were also opposed TO the third
term idea.
-. 4.
TO Secretary Taft. replied that 1 liked
Secretary Taft, that / considered him
strong man with excellent Vermont blood
in his veins, having known his paternal
grandfather. who, when living, resided
about seventeen miles from my home;
that he hsd shown great executive ability,
was an excellent lawyer as every president
ought to be. and that while a United
States circuit judge had displayed firm
ness and determination in the administra-
ton of the law in labor disputes. That
in my opinion be was handicapped by the
fact that II was understood and well
known that he was the candidate Of the
president; that the people of my state did
not like to have their candidates for any
office made to orderJor them by any one
man or any small coterie OF men, and that
this feeling was quite prevalent every
where, as had observed. felt then and
still feel fully justified in that statement
! further stated that ( had serious doubts
as to the advisability..of Secretary Taft a.
a candidate by reason of the well-known
opposition he would encounter from the
labor unions and the colored voters who
hold the balance OF power in several of
our northern Republican states.
"He inquired whom | thought Yer
mont would support in the convention.
I replied that I had been busy man and
heard but very little at home as to the
presidential candidates; that i was pres
ent and heard Governor Hughes at the
meeting of the Fish and Game league,
which has in its membership some of the
most influential men of our state, and /
thought everyone was favorably inn
pressed with his address. as / certainly
was. That while I could support almost
anyone OF The probable candidates mem
TONED, my first choice was uncle Joe
Cannon, and for the reasons correctly Civ /
en- in the published interview. but not for
the reasons imputed to me by the Ran /
dolph Herald; viz. to secure good COM |
mittee assignments in the next Congress.
for have always been more than well 1
favored in that respect. Senator Cannon I
is an excellent judge OF men; be studies 1
the membership of the House and for re-
sponsible positions he wants men OF hon
esty, ability and courage. / have often
heard him say that man without q good 4
backbone bad no business in Congress.
One who knows him well would make
serious mistake in patting him on the
back with the expectation OF securing
favors thereby.
THAT am not alone in my estimate of
him in being of presidential size. quote
from a reported interview in The Wash
ington Post of October "a had with Mai.
John +. Lacey OF Iowa, who retired from
Congress last March, after Q sixteen years.
service, to wit: The people OF Iowa, no
doubt, would like to see President Rooee-
Welt renominated, but my own candidate
for the presidency il Uncle Joe Cannon.
He has more common sense than anybody \
In America. To those who do not know
him his age might initiate against him.
but to those who do know him that
makes no difference. because they knov