The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-18
The Manner and Method Of Man
He Is.
Name Rhymes With Laughed,
Which Describes His
SUNNY TEMPERAMENT.
Is Serious When Advisable But
Minus Frowns.
No ScOwls to Pass Off as Wisdom
His Family.

Some one in happy vein referring
to the man named at Chicago today
and carrying conviction recently
spoke of William II. Taft, the man,
as he appears to those who have OPP
portunity to observe him in public
relations with men.
..And Taft?" he asked, as if the
situation in particular were under
discussion at second hand. Taft?
o, Taft just laughed"
Couple this characteristic of the
possible next president of the United
States with the large frame of the
man weighing 800 pounds and recall
the fact that this infection of the
laugh comes from a man trained TO
the law, experienced of the bench,
schooled in diplomacy, ripened by
common sense and unimpeachable
honesty-and you have Taft-Taft,
who 'just laughed"
With judgment, and sanity and
honesty directing and tempering the
laugh of a big man, what characteris-
tic could be more reassuring? Studious
posturing in man may cover tenn
porarily a multitude of weaknesses. A
scowl may pass for wisdom in such
degree that it is burdensome. But to
laugh, openly and frankly, with both
hands deep in pair of trousers
pockets-where is the imposter who
would risk it?
just Plain "Bill."
One may find light on this charac-
teristic of William H. Taft by looking
in on men who know him best in
Taft's home town of Cincinnati. He is
"Bill" Taft down there. He was "Bill''
Taft when he occupied the bench of
the superior court of Cincinnati; he
was "Bill" while he occupied the posi-
ton of solicitor general under Presi-
dent Harrison. and when he vacated
the bench of the United States circuit
court in 1900 to become governor of
the Philippines a host of Cincinnati
friends went down to the station to
see "Bilp' Taft on his far away mis-
sion.
History will record the difficulties
of this mission. 1t may overlook the
fact that when in 1907 Taft went back
to the islands to a cool reception on
that official visit, he departed home
after farewell reception such as
never before had stirred the Filipino
people. Taft had "just laughed" and
the Philippines had laughed with him.
But If Taft can laugh he does not
need the Complementary frown when
occasion demands that he stand firm
and fast. Some one looking on from
a distance beyond earshot while Presi-
dent Roosevelt. gesticulating his earn
estness. on one occasion challenged the
POSITION OF MS war secretary, wrote
this Of the picture presented:
''Tafts left hand was in his overcoat
pocket and his right hand held a black
fedora hat. He did not gesticulate;
he spoke in soft, low sentences, and
yet you could fairly feel the impact
thought Of angry waves beating
against an immovable rock. 1t was a
study to give the imagination free
play. and yet know better than I can
say that the placid, imposing firmness
CT the secretary won a victory"
How He Fooled the Guide.
Apropos of Mr.. Taft's person some
one has remarked that since the time
of Washington the United States never
has had a really fat president. But
the term fat does not apply to the
300 pounds of the presidential candi-
date. He Is of frame to carry the
weight and still preserve the sense OF
proportion. Friends once bribed a Ca
madam guide to lose Mr. Taft in the
wilderness of a Canadian trout
stream. 1t was an all day job for the
guide. But in time for the camp sup
per Taft came swinging home, hungry
as bear. Half an hour later the
guide, draggled and winded, came in
raging.
"Wot fool you mex wis me! Hey git
lose, shure Mike, hey git lose; but
holly mackerelle, she walks me al
'roun' dey dam Canada
When Taft was on the bench HI
faced labor problems and rendered his
decisions. Later in his public career hi
found partisan opponents who tried to
show that these decisions had beer
inimicaI to the interests of the laborinl
man. Thus when 1t came about tina
Taft was to speak on the great cas-
side of New York in Cooper Union
friends begged of him to conf1ne hi,
Etalk to political generalities. Brain,
men and women of socialistic and sin
! gle tax ideas were to be present
But to this advice of his friends Taft
f~just laughed Without warning
however. the big man arose and in 6
lepeech Of $4,000 words tackled the labor
lquestion to the exclusion of virtually
Ihll else. Sincere honesty was in hi.
fpose, and his breadth of view and fair
mess instantly were revelations to hi!
thearers. They cheered, fired the no