The morning journal-courier., 1908-06-20
Saturday, June 20, 100s.
A REMINIscENCE.


 President Roosevelt and Secretary Taft are striking illustrations and ex- amples of the controlling power of Fate. The elevation of the former to the presidency was not in his mind at the moment the way was unconscious ly opened to him. He dreaded the vice presidency as a child dreads the fire and implored his friends 10 save him was never in Mir, Taft's mind, his life's ambition being to ascend to the supreme court of the United States In the case of each, circumstances over which neither had control determined for him career distinguished for un- suspected reasons.
 In 1897 Theodore Roosevelt was be- l ing strongly urged upon President Me Kinley for an appointment as assist ant secretary of the navy It was something of surprise to his ad- mirers that he would be willing to Aaccept a subordinate seat in the exec { Ukive department. and 1t was with re- luctance that President Mckinley fn- ally made the appointment. The presi- dent doubted the usefulness of so strenuous young man in the ad- ministration but was persuaded by his friends that his judgment was at fault. In the history of the Span ish war. written by former Secretary of the Navy John D. Long of Massa- chusetts the pointed references to the work of his subordinate warrant the conclusion that his strenuous service was disconcerting to the administra- ton Largely on this account his commisson as lieutenant colofie of the Rough Riders was readily granted. That his picturesque career in that regiment led to his nomination as
 
 known to all. while his nomination to the vice presidency in 1900 sprang from the determination of his polltl- cal enemies led by Tom Platt, to get rid of him. Thus one thing and an- other of not logical character led up to tho tragedy of President McISin- leys death and the succession of Theodore Roosevelt to the office. He could not have planned such career nor could it have been planned for him. It was fate pure and simple.
 President Mckinley was increas- ingly disturbed after his inauguration over the situation In Cuba. He was very anxious to learn through one of his trusted friends all that should be known to lead him to n sure conclus- ion and definite policy. It was sug- gested to him at that time, in the family quarters of the then less com modious White House, that William H. Taft of Ohio was peculiarly fitted for delicate mission of that nature President Mckinley agreed but said that he could not think of interfering with MT. Taft's progress towards the supreme bench, an event much to be desired Justice Day was therefore selected for the errand which he dis charged faithfully and well Later President Mckinley found 1t neces- sary to draft Mir. Taft Into the ser vice of the country and make him governor of the Philippine Islands though MT. Taft was not eagerly in- clined to thus enter upon new and unknown public life. He was opposed to the Philippine policy of the admin istration, and would undertake to aid in 1t at all only upon the understand ing that he should be his own master has happened since Is fresh in the minds of every observing person. It was his masterly and eoncilatory pol icy there which suggested to President Roosevelt the wisdom of placing hun at the head of the war department which includes in its survey the care of the army Cuba, the Philippines and the Panama canal. From the moment President Mckinley decided that for d time at least Judge Taft must sacri- flee his ambition and enlist in the administrative work of the country until o-day the character of his work has been impressive and it's usefulness has already become q matter of his tory. To-day he is in a position lie Y never expected to be in and is a ean- aidate for the highest office within the