The Washington times., 1908-12-06
TAFT To WORK HARD
TO CONVERT SOUTH
PreSident-Elect Has Ambi-
ton to Make Start to En-
large Sections Power. Z
ADMIRES PEOPLE;
WOULD AID THEM
Entertains Great Affection for
Southrons and Wants to Up
set Traditions.
By JAMES Hay, R.

HOT SPRINGS, Va, Dec. 6-WIlHsn
Howard Taft, the President-elect. does
not propose to relax his efoEts 20 win
the South 20 Republican beliefs.
One Of BIZ cherished ambitions Is 10
make his administration the real start
of q movement which viii result IN
that section Of she country below Mason
and Dixon's line becoming a powerful
factor in national politics and nationsi
policies.
For the Sol- n, the Fresident-eIect en-
tertains not only admiration but ahec-
ton For Ex or eight years he was a
circuit judge on a circuit that took him
into Kentucky and Tennessee. and his
relations with Soutnerners in that period
left with him n lasting impression He
believes that the restoration Of the
South 70 her old power in the nations
affairs can be wrought only through
her political independence and her de-
cision 20 throw of her traditional sub
servience 10 the Democratic party
Tells His Views.
In speaking OF it today, lie said:
What I would particularly like 10
/ accomplish in my administration is the
union of the South with other sections
OF the country IN supporting my admin
istration. I would like 10 appear as an
agent in the movement to make S5atl-
err politics consistent with Southern
business interests
For six years, as a circuit Judge in
a circuit that included Michigan and
Chic on one side OF the ONO river
and KENTUCKY and Tennessee o. the
other. 7 had the good fortune 10 visit
and become acquainted with the law
u
/ come more or less aware OF the Goa
ditions that prcvaiIcS in the -four States.
and TO compare them. Tie warmth 0f
/ feeling toward me and the cordial re-
: ceptlon I had, awakened In me q deep
& sympathy and a great admiration for
| the South. and an earnest desire to put
myself as far as / could i'm The place
i Of Southerners and understand them,
understand their point of view
No Argument Needed
we all know the history Of The
country. and we know the natural re-
suits OF the war We know how tfe
south was ranged on the side of the
/ Democratic party We know its nat
! urai conservative tendency We know
/ the homogeneous character Of its peO-
pIe. and the preservation Of traditions
| IN the family To is entirely natural, in
! a sense. that. even after al other re&-
sons have disap appeared. the intelligent
} people Of the South should 90 on vot-
1 ing the Democratic ticket just TO pre-
/ srrve their historic traditions
/ What I would ike tC do In my sd
ministration is 20 try to make a be
/ ginning of disturbing that tradition an
reIegating il TO the place where all use
less traditions ought to be- The enor-
nous Industrial expansion Of the South
which has taken place since 1895. and
largely under tie auspices OF Repub-
lican administration. ought. it seems TO
me. to demonstrate TO the thoughtful
men Of the South that their logical posi-
ton is in the party which has made and
viii make such prosperity possible.
Know History Of Company.
81 cannot see -,ow any argument is
needed TO corvLrce the South that Il
/ needs the protective -arih system, a Re
publican policy, 10 ySntinue and main
/ tain its prosperity.
But there is another reason why the
South should throw OF the shackIes Of
. tradition which bind IT 10 the Demo
cratic party Senator Daniel and Sen
ator Bacon, both distinguished men on
the floor Of the Senate. have depIored
the fact th.-t the South has had no in
hueDce ia JLe last twenty or thirty
years in the councils Of the Govern
meut. The reason for this lack OF iulu-
ence is easily found. The South has
made itself 6 mere instrument of the
Northern Democracy. no matter 90 what
excess in economic doctrine that De-
mocracy went Southerners have been
the tail 10 the Northern Democratic
kite and. when you are carried in the
! pocket Of a man and make no uncom-
Portable disturbance in that pocket. YOU
! are not going 10 exercise very much
, influence with the gentleman who is car
? rying you
No influence Certain.
1T is not human nature 10 believe
r that the SOuth's leading men can have
much influence with an Administration
= which they oppose with uufaiiinE rcsu.
larity, no matter what the issues NAY
I he or what the interests OF the Soutt
70 may be- What I hope and believe Is
e that the great number OF Southerners
who mwardly sympathize with, and be-
lieve In, Republican principles viii D..
Republicans. and win come into the Ad
r miuistratiOn, and have that power an,
- influence TO which the SOUTH bg rea
p soE o: her power and intelligence. q
- emitted.
J ''rh.' growth Of RepubiicanisE in thr