The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-23
Republican Candidate Writes
His Conception If the Office.
Better to Be Private Citizen
Than a Poor President.
PROMISE is IMPLIED.
That He Will Continue the
Policies of Roosevelt.
Laws No Claim to Possession OF
Original Programme.

New York, June 23-Secretary Taft
has written the following article on
his conception of the presidency Tor
the current issue of Golfers Weekly:
I'm the four years that I have been
a member of the cabinet 1 have be-
come familiar enough with the re-
sponsibilities and burdens of the presi-
dency to know that no man can afford
to unduly seek that great office. If he
is attracted by honor and power alone
without the hope of being useful he is
unworthy of the honor and unfit for
the use of the power He must prefer
for the sake of his own peace of mind
never to be president to being a poor
president. Confident that the platform
on which he stands is for the best
interest of the nation, he is untrue to
himself and his supporters If he does
not fight valiantly for election after he
accepts the leadership. But of course,
he must draw the line at any compact
which will not leave him free of prom
ises and of the control of any faction.
THE presidents duties clearly out
lined by the constitution have grown
broader in their Interpretation with
the growth of the country. He should
be in the prime of years, health and
vigor. The capacity for hard work
is better equipment than genius
in mastering the essentials of all the
departments of the government and
undergoing the strain of countless in
terviews. He should look not only to
those in Office but to those out of Of
flee in all branches of private activity
for information and opinion in order
that he may arrive at the truth when
he is surrounded by the conflict of in
tereSts which come to him with the
fair words of the special pleader.
'In many senses though the most
sought after. he is the loneliest man in
the United States. Elected directly by
the people, their representative head.
from them. in the sober thought Of
the majority. he will get his best coun-
sell Though indifference or preoccu-
patton with private affairs may keep
them from attending primaries or
scanning closely the other candidate
or measures. they can center on the
president as their instrument for the
expression of their wishes. He should
be always near the people in thought
and as near them in person as his po-
sition will permit. In common, with
the people, he is human, and he must
ask their charity for his mistakes.
When they have ceased to believe in
his sincerity and uprighteousness of
purpose his is cherries task. Once
convinced that he has OWNED and is
carrying out their real wishes neither
elated by an outburst of applause nor
diverted by any outburst of censure,
he must proceed unwavering1y.l always
by lawful methods to the accomplish
ment of the popular Will.
From Washington he may learn
nobility and fortitude. J4incoln's life
and speeches must be his source of in
spiration when he has to say to him.
self Patience and cheer 1t Is easier
since we had Lincoln than 1t was be-
| fore to be a good president. He set
| a standard
''It remained for Roosevelt to prove
| how the people will respond to a
strong and true leadership when the
hour has come for great reforms. The
policies which he inaugurated must be
continued and developed. They are
right and they are the policies of the
people. For that reason his successor
| may we'll disregard any charge of lack
| of originality if he does not make an
| entirely new program of his own.
"A president at this time has work
! before him clearly defined. The en-
| forcement of the law, equally agains,
high and low, the powerful and the
weak, should be his first thought
The danger to our country from lax
ity or favoritism in this, is the great
walton of our natural resources an6
their development for the use of al
along the lines of equal opportunity
too, must command his immediate at
tention. 1t should be his aim to Civ,
! high tone to his administration a!
| President Roosevelt has, by surround
ing himself with men of prominence
enthusiasm in public interest and o
the cleanest and most effective meth
| DDS"
.,,s- "a. ~a,e -ner