Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-08-01
FORAKER'S LETTER
The Ohio Senator Tells Why he Il
Opposed to Taft for
President
NE HIMSELF A CANDIDATE
Ne Also Learns That the Secretary
Fayors Tariff Revision to Which
He 10 Very Much
Opposed.

Cincinnati. o., July 30.-That 1t is
impossible for him under present con
ditlons to favor the presidential can
didacy Of Secretary Of War TAFT is
the statement Of United States Sen,
ator Foraker in a letter given gu.
here Monday. The letter is addressed
to G. B. Mccoy of Coshocton, mem
her of the republican state commit
tee and Is intended as the expression
of the senator's views to be present
ed when the committee meets at 70
lumbus. The interview of Gov. Harris
in which he favors the endorsement
OF Foraker for Senator and Tart for
president and encourages the sugges'
ton of his own name for another term
az governor, and various recent pub
LEGATIONS are taken as the text for
the letter which in part follows:
Cincinnati, July 20, 1907.
Hon. c. B. Mccoy,
Coshocton, o.
"Dear SIr:-I learn from the news
papers and otherwise that resolution
ia likely to be offered at the next
meeting Of the central committee to
be held In Columbus tomorrow, July
Goth endorsing Secretary Taft as
ohIo's candidate for the presidency,
and 7 have seen 1t stated that reso-
luton is likely also to be offered en-
dorsing me as a candidate to be my
own successor in the senate OF the
United States and today's pa
pers published what purports to be
an authorized interview with Gov.
Harris favoring this proposed ac'
ton in endorsing Secretary Taft ana
expressing friendship and good VIII
for myself with respect to continu-
alton to my public services but DIS
claiming a desire to be himself en-
dorsed as his own successor In the
governors office.
On a number of occasions hereto
fore | have stated that so far as am
individually concerned, as a CITIZEN
Of Ohio and a member Of the republi
can party do not think this question
should be determined except only IN
accordance with the expressed WISE
Of the republican voters of Ohio anc
that in view OF the controversies tha
have arisen the republican voters O.
Ohio should be given an opportunity
to be heard before any action is taker
by any committee or anybody mo-
chosen by the people to represen'
them in regard to this matter.
learn also from the newspapers
and otherwise that it is claimed, as
reason for the proposed action, ina
Secretary Taft is the only candidate
Ohio has for the Presidency and tina
on such account, from sentiments o
state pride, we should unite in his sur
port and that for this reason the com
mittee should take the proposed az
ton at this time SO that the Who'll
country my be advised what Ohio II
tends to do next year
I see It stated almost every day 1
: the newspapers as a reason for tn
. claim that Ohio has only one cand
date for the Presidency that / hav
not at any time announced my cand
dacy for that office. It is true that
have never made any such announces
/. ment.
A candidate for the Presidency mui
! assume, first, the great and seriou
RESPONSIBILITIES of leading his party
the national campaign, and II success
ul as we hope and expect to be, b
. must then assume the grave and sci
. )us responsibilities of administerin
!. the executive offices, These responf
; bilities are so grave and so serio'
that any man might well feel high
: complimented and greatly honored
have his fellow citizens name him
: such a connection, but at the san
Q time they ara 90 grave and 80 serio'
I that any ordinary man might w
+ hesitate to proclaim himself Qualifi'
l for such responsibilities, or prefer
. least to wait until invited by his par
associates, to undertake such dutit
. Such a position is at least more
d keeping with the high dignity OF q
3 office. Besides, 1t gives his party
n soclates an opportunity to decla
h their deliberate. unbiased and unel
b barrassed judgment, which he shou
n be willing to both wait for and abiC
d II is because | entertain opinions
3 this kind that have not made any 9
10 nouncement Of any candidacy for a
d office, and, In view Of what may
inferred from these expressions,
le not deem It necessary that shou
Is But this il not . matter to be settl
2 BY sentiments of state pride, co
n mendable as they are. II there We
e mot any differences of opinion Rmo
n republicans state pride would propel
ef have great weight. but TODAY there
wide difference among reppbhca
IA on a question Of the-m vital CHI
D. Reter.
Il The question refer to is not, the
n fore, regulation Of trusts, railroa
4 and interstate commerce, about whit
a as I have said. we are all united, !
n the tariff question.
,e Every republican has right TO
"a pouse any view he may enterta
and inasmuch a. Governor Harris r
resents that such Il his view, ] do
wonder that be prefers Secretary Il
:. - .all... - ~ n...Ilnr.