Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1907-10-24
The Man For President
A Number Of Reasons Why Iowa
Should be for Secretary Taft

remarkable wide spread interest now
manifest In the approaching National
campaign. The fact that the person
al influence of the president was re.
sponsible for majority of the re-
forms accomplished, has established a
precedent In governmental affairs.
The broadening influence of the chief
executive, and the manner in which
this influence Is permeating every
branch of the government, makes the
selection of q successor to President
r. posevelt matter of grave import
ance. Then there is also we'll de-
fined tendency toward independent
thinking on the part of the electorate,
and it is apparent that the party lines
will not be so closely drawn as in
former years, so that the individual
merit and strength of the cho sen lead
err will do much to determine whether
the Republican party shall be contin-
ned in power
The Chicago Tribune, with view Of
ascertaining public sentiment concern
ing the wisdom of policies inaugural
ed by President Roosevelt and the
probable choice of the people in sell
Getting successor to carry on these
policies, has just conducted an extern
sive canvass among the prominent re-
publican leaders of each state. This
canvass showed An almost uuanimo us
approval of the reforms effected by
the present administration, and gave
Mr.. Taft, Secretary of War, such I'M
qualified endorsement for the Presid-
entail office, that he now appears to be
without serious rival.
Ohio and Nebraska-representing the
middle west, and the only states which
have yet held their convention have
each adopted resolutions, endorsing
Taft as pre-eminently the man best fit
ted by character and experience to act
as the standard bearer of the party in
the coming campaign.
Those familiar with Mr.. Taft's pub
lie service, covering aperiod of thirty
years. are not surprised at this strong
sentiment in his favor. His work has
been but a training for the greater re-
sponsibilities of the presidential Office.
Just graduated from Yale, the young
lawyer was appointed to Office, and,
in rapid succession, he held the Office
of Prosecuting Attorney, Revenue
| Collector, County Solicitor, and So
licitor General of the United States.
So successful was he as a vigorous
prosecutor. that a number of law firms
offered him flattering inducements to
devote his talents to the interest ofthe
corporations, instead of exerting them,
as he was, in favor of the people.
AS a Judge, Mr.. Taft has made an
enviable reputation. At the remark
able early age of twenty he was
made Judge of the Superior Court at
Cincinnati, where by reason of his un-
usual ability for clear thinking he
gained the wide reputation which re-
| suited in his being appointed Circuit
Judge of the Federal Court. Here he
and his associates conducted the most
respected subordinate court in the
United States. He was fair, fearless,
and unaffected by outside influences.
1t mattered not that the parties to the
welded great political influence, his
decisions were based alone on right
i aud Justice. A place on the United
one absorbing ambition of his life.
Twice was this great distinction offer
ed, but the honor was each time refus-
ed, since he was engaged in other fields
of public service, and his conception
of public duty would not permit him
to sacrifice his work, even for person.
al advancement.
That the administration has great
confidence in Taft's statesmanlike
ability, is shown from the fact that be
is usually selected to perform the diff
cult diplomatic tasks. When the
PHILIPPINES came to us he was chosen
by President Mckinley to go to the
PHILIPPINES and bring order out O.
chaos. He was first appointed presi
dent of the Commission and later
made ECivil Governor. For this ser
vice he deserves the gratitude OF tht
American people. Five years ago ht
was sent to Rome on the delicate mis-
sion of comforting with Pope Leo
concerning the purchase OF importan
lands. Since that date, at one time OF
another, he has been sent to each o
Colonial possessions to adjust Difficult
ties, restore order, or avert crises Ir
each of these cases, the emergency
found the man, and by the successful
adjustment of these matters, Secretary
Taft has demonstrated his ability
and shown that he has all the diplo
matte qualities necessary to make q
successful president.
The past decade has brought forth
multiplicity of new and difficult prob
lens. Swollen fortunes, frenzied fin
ance, great predatory corporations
and all their attendant evils are re
curing governmental regulation
Corporate abuses and disregard o.
law must cease; individual rights anG
liberties must be protected. To NEE
these problems and, at the same time
properly conserve the large interest.
OF legitimate industrial enterprises,
requires craftsmanship of the very
highest order. The President, with
rare courage, is busily engaged at the
half completed task. His term will
soon end, and william Fl. Taft should
be selected to complete the work, be-
cause he isa man OF progressive ideas
undaunted courage, and best qualified
/ by reason of temperament and train
ing to carry out to successful compile
ton the policies already inaugurated
and to initiate such others as are nee
essary.
The coming four years will witness
great conflict between the idea of cor
porate domination and the principle
of Individual rights. In the follow
ing significant words Roosevelt ha.
stated the issue. '"This contest Is on.
to determine who shall rule this gov
ernment-the people through their gov
ornamental agencies, or few ruthles,