The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-01-03
TAFT FOR PRESIDENT
Bostonians Hall Him as Next
Chief Executive.
CAREFULLY AVOIDS SUBJECT

War Secretary Does Not Refer to the
Topic In His Regular Address-Dis-
cusses the Recent Financial Panic
and Its Causes.
Roston, Dec. 31.-Greeted with
cheers as 1.-The next president OF the
United States" topic which he care
fully avoided In his own remarks,
however, Secretary of War William II.
Taft delivered his first public speech
since his woodworking tour at the an
nual banquet of the Boston Merchants
association at the Hotel Somerset.
In his address at night Secretary
Taft discussed the recent financial
panic and it's causes. Without mine
Ing his words he laid the blame for the
furry at the door of those who by
criminal or immoral methods Of man
agement of corporations brought about
a widespread distrust of all great pri-
vate enterprises. The awakening OF
the public conscience may have been
the work of the Roosevelt administra-
ton, he said in effect, but the men re-
sponsible for the conditions at which
the people revolted he held responsible
for the panic.
These words concluded his address:
I'm this widespread catastrophe
have the deepest sympathy with the
great body OF business men and wage
earners, who, l know, are honest and
who have to bear the brunt of 1t, and
/ feel the greatest solicitude and
anxiety for their recovery. But urge
them not to allow their resentment at
conditions to be made weapon
against the public veal"
The banquet closed long and siren
uous day for the secretary of war, dur
Ing which he delivered brief address
before 400 ministers In the morning
and attended a reception and spoke
before large gathering of the Jews
OF the city at the Elysium club in the
afternoon. During his visit to Boston
Secretary Taft was the guest of Sam
uel Carr, Boston banker and rela-
tive OF Mrs. Taft.
Notable Gathering of Business Men.
A more notable gathering of promf-
nent and representative business men
has seldom been seen in Boston than
that which greeted the secretary at
night
In the banquet hall beautiful decora-
lions adorned the tables, which pro-
vided for the seating of over 800
guests, while behind the speakers ta-
BILE were a great many American flags.
President Jerome Jones, OF the Bos-
ton Merchants association presided.
Seated on either side of him were the
speakers and guests of honor. who In
Guided Secretary OF War William II.
Taft. Congressman Sherley Of Ken
lucky, Lieutenant Governor Draper OF
Massachusetts, Mayor John F. Fftz-
gerald and Right Rev. William Law
renee, bishop of Massachusetts,.
In introducing Secretary Taft, Presi-
dent Jones said:
I'VE are favored by the presence OF
a man from the Middle West who has
impressed us all with his fitness for
the most important position that
great and powerful nation can bestow
and, In brief, an official of great
strength and wisdom. He has recent
ly put a girdle around the earth as an
ambassador OF peace and good will,
visiting the great rulers OF mighty ma
lions, and we want to hear him talk to
u.s."
AS the secretary Of war rose to re-
ply, all the guests stood up with him
and filled the air with long continued
cheers.
Calls for three cheers for Secretary
Taft, the next president OF the United
States" were heartily acclaimed.
The only reference made to the
presidency, direct or indirect, by Sec
rotary Taft was at the Elysium club,
where after the guests had been In
vited to shake hands with "the next
president of the United States" Secre-
tary Taft responded
ct is great delight for me to shake
hands under that condition, but want
you to understand that there Is no
guarantee In this contract"