The Washington times., 1908-09-22
No Compromise With For
aker, Said Secretary of War
Before Convention.
MADE PUBLIC NOW
TO AID CANDIDATE
Roosevelt Declares Position of
Candidate Before Nomination
Shows Lofty Purpose.

NEW YORK, Sept. 22.-In view Of the
attitude the President has taken to-
ward Senator Foraker, politicians here
were not surprised at the letter given
out at Oyster Bay commencing Taft
and making public a letter from Mr..
Taft, in which he made It plain before
the convention that he did not want to
win the nomination at the price OF
compromising with Senator Foraker.
The President in his letter, says in
part:
In view Of Mr. Hearsts disclosures
about Senator Foraker. 1 make public
the following letter written by Mr.. Taft
on July 20, 1907, 10 a friend in Ohio,
prominent in Ohio politics. who wrote
him before the meeting Of the State
central committee asking whether he
would object to the comprising of
resolution indorsing Mr.. Taft for Presi-
dent and Mr. Foraker for Senator, in
the interest OF harmony. A copy of this
letter was submitted TO me at the time,
but after the original had been sent it
WAS not intended for publication, bat it
was understood that If necessary It
should be published.
4 personally know that the strongest
pressure by various party leaders was
brought on Mr.. Taft at that time TO
consent to the proposed arrangement.
and he was Informal by leading men
from other States that If he would con-
sent TO this arrangement all opposition
on the part Of Mr. Foraker and on the
part Of some of Mr.. FOraker's infiuen-
tial friends in the Senate and elsewhere
would cease, and that Mr.. Tafts nomi-
nation for the Presidency would be as
sured.
What Taft Wrote.
The letter Of Mr. Taft is as follows,
in part:
War Department. Washington,
Pointe au Pic, Canada, July 20. 1907.
MI. -:
In respect to one inquiry Of yours
I wish TO express myself with as much
emphasis as possible, that is, whether
] would object to a compromise reSO-
luton which shall include an indOrse-
ment Of myself for the Presidency and
Senator Foraker for the SenatOTship.
In my judgment IL would be not only
a great mlStake-something more. 1t
would be accepted necessarily a.
compromise on my behalf. and, there
fore, with my acquiescence, or at least
With the acQuieSCence Of my friends.
for whose action L am more or less
responsible II would totally misrepre-
sent my position
80 1 don't care for the Presidency II
It has to come by compromise with
Senator Foraker or anyone else in a
matter Of principle. He has opposed
the vital policies and principles Of
the Administration, and in his Oppo-
sitiOn has seized upon and magnified
an important but incidental matter
10 embarrass the Administration, US
ing in tins. without scruple, a blind
race prejudice 20 accomplish his main
purpose.
No More Factionalism.
If 1 was confronted with a mere
factional difference within the party,
not involving a subject which must
come up for consideration and action
by the next Republican national con-
ventiOn L should not be so emphatic
in my conclusion. 1t is not on my part
a question of personal feeling with re
spect TO Senator Foraker. It is really
a question of political principle In re
spect 10 this, the Legislature of Ohio
expressed what I believe to be the SEN
timent of the people Of Ohio in a resOlu-
ton asking the Senator's to support the
rate bill Senator Foraker declined to
follow this resolution Very sincerely
yours. VIM II TAFT
Taft's knowledge. because feel it my
duty TO the public that his attitude
should be known The man who I'M
hesitatingly TesiStS temptation, who
cannot be swerved by any cOnsidera-
lion OF personal interest from following
the course which his lofty conception
of duty dictates to him, the man whose
whole concern is for the welfare Of the
people and who has proved in a life
time OF difficult and useful public serv-
ice his extraordinary capacity as an
administrator. is surely the man OF all
others to be intruSted with the PreSi-
dency. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Sycamore Hin, Oyster Bay, Sept. p.
1908"