Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-11-16

81. dul NIlllIl.. ->oN. IC tot'
Paul Dispatch today in its morning
edition prints the following COR
respondent which passed between
Rev Magnus Larson, pastor of the
Swedish Baptist church Of this city,
and Judge William H. Taft. The let
ter from Mr.. Larson, was directed to
Judge Taft through the Republican
headquarters in St. Paul under date
of Sept. &c last, and the answer by
Judge Taft was dated Cincinnati oct.
8 last. Neither of the letters have
heretofore been made public.
The letter Of Rev Larson to Judge
Taft says:
Dear Sir: Pardon a few questions
from an humble st. Paul preacher. ]
wish, however, first of all to state that
| have been an admirer of President
Roosevelt and have considered him in
many respects an ideal President. Not
withstandng this, it seems to me that
he has put you in an embarrassing
position when taking upon himself to
be your protector and telling the peo-
pie OF this country what you are and
what you will be.
The questions | wish to ask concern
your WOFk III lIle IHlllIpIIt
and your attitude toward the Catholic
church. Was it upon your recommen-
dation that $7,000.000 were paid to the
Catholic church out of the United
States treasury and that the Pope
was consulted regarding this deal?
Did such deal voice the sentiment
of the Filipinos? Was the uprising
in the Philippines mostly in the Span
ish government or against the CathO-
lie friars.'
In a speech in New York some time
ago, you made a plea for the Roman
Catholic church in the Philippines,
making the statement that the church
was very poor. Is it not true that
half the population, or three million
people. are not Roman Catholics?
| understand that the present gov
ernor is a Catholic.
Are you aware of the attitude he is
taking against Protestants. especially
the teachers Of the public schools, who
are forbidden to take any interest in
any Protestant work, such as teaching
in Sunday school or taking part in re-
liGiouS services?
Have not thousands OF dollars been
y
claimed to have been burned. Is not
your conviction and policy that Catho-
lie digni;aries and the Catholic church
should have greater consideration
from a public official, and especially
from the chief executive Of our ma
ton than any other recognized rec
ligious body?
The questions are asked in all sin
cerity with Il view to get just and
right in my political attitude.
! have not one word to say against
the Catholic church or any other de-
nomination, but | do contend that the
enc shall not have any more favorS
than the other Although ! am at pres
ent confined to the hospital, | have de
Cldcd t.. use luN influence both with
voice ana pen. in favor Of the man who
is ready and willing to uphold, pro-
tect and nromIlgate the true spirit cf
our Constitution and religious as We'll
as commercial industrial and social
orders. The Swedish Americans are not
so great in number, but they are loyal
citizens. and | am quite sure they will
be heard from in the coming national
election.
pose Of making YOU believe that the
writer is i person who has some Won
dcrful influence or one that would be
Il great vote getter for any political
party. This is simply personal letter
l have no objection to making it pub
lic-and if you choose to answer We'll
and good, if not l take it for granted
that you do not care to go on record
concerning the question, and in any
event | am answered. l am not q poll
tcian, but I am intensely interested in
the welfare OF our country, and shall
lend all the influence and power that
] have to see lnen elected to Office who
shall feel the responsibility Of the CON
fdence i,laced in them by a sovereign
people.
With greatest respect I am,
Very truly yours,
MAGNUS LARSON.
Pastor of the Swedish Baptist Church.
st. Paul, Mimi.
Judge Taft's answer follows:
My Dear Sir--I have your letter of
Sept 2G. You ask me whether 5000 coo
We're paid to the Catholic church out
Of the United States treasury on MY
recommendation. l reply that it was
not. The friars' agricultural lands in
the Philippines. 425.000 acres or about
that amount. were purchased from the
corporation formed by the three or
ders OF the friars in the Philippines
ard the money was paid from bonds is
-- - ~ r'-il'on;r>o ~ovn~rn1ert m
der the authority Of Congress, and IS
:, tIi~.. Sc ui,O., me Philippine islands.
The pure hase was approved BY the
Filiplr"s.
The uprising in the Philippines was
against the Spanish government, and
the Spanish friars whom the govern
ment used as policemen in attempting
to the Snditi ion and ,4alit al