The Washington herald., 1908-08-07

Hot Springs. Va. Aug 6--8Ir- Taft
was the guest OF honor tonight at a
banquet Of the Virginia Bar AssOcis-
ton and responded 70 the toast, The
President Of the United States.
Other guests at the dinner were Wayne
8IacVeagh. Of Philadelphia; ex-United
states Senator 1viiii<-7 Lindsay, Of Ken
lucky, and T. J. O'Brien. United States
Ambassador to Japan. The dining-room
Of the big hotel was crowded with 90
Virginia lawyers and fully IS many
women.
wyndham P Meredith, the retiring
president OF the association, kicked up
G muss when he said: Tonight we are
ali for Taft 10 matter how We may vote
IN November. The laws Of hospitality
demand H. That reminds ne Of the
story Of the Irishnan whose employer
asked him how he was going 10 vote
Tn going 10 vote for Taft said the
Irishnan-
But said his employer, thought
you were Democrat
SO I am replied the Irishman, but
can vote for Bryan any time"
Kisses and catSaIls greeted the presi-
dents remarks. Some Of the lawyers at
the tables tried 10 drown out the demon
stration by cheering for TAFT but they
couidn-t
Taft Is Embarrassed
The candidate was plainly embarrassed
at this introduction OF politics into the
dinner. Il was several minutes before
President Meredith was able 10 resume
7 1Ir. Taft. in responding 70 his toast
said that II was appropriate that be
should speak on the President OF the
+ United States. not because Of any asDira-
tioas he had. but because he had been
asked By the President himself 70 attend
/ this meeting Of the bar association
7 received a direction while was still
+ serving as Secretary OF War said Mr-
Taft. TO come 10 the White House a
! once on important public business
found that your committee had petitiored
{ the then President. and stIH President, OF
/ the United states daughter and applsuse)
I 10 usa his influence. and. Il needed, the
3 big stick 10 direct THAI come here 10
meet the bar association and 70 do what
T he would have ne do II Upholdins tile
. administration
Does Not Want to TresPass-
AIr. Taft said he appreciated the subject
Of the Presidency. from the standpoint OF
the Office. with very considerable care.
not 70 say anxiety. lest he trespass on the
laws OF hospitality. AIr- Taft said il had
been suggested under some administrat-
T ions The uovver OF the Presidency had
been expanded. also that the constitution
( al mower OF the Federal government had
/ been EXPANDED He thought that II the
q latter statement was examined careIully.
/ il would be found that the expansion vas
along the lines Of constitutional 5ur'sdle-
ton
I have great confidence in the Supreme
I Court said NJ Taft 7 think those
! gentlemen who sit up there know what
thev are deciding. and that they are az
. tempting 10 make q consistent course OF
! decisions. We may differ with them On
( some particulars. but, as a whole. We
may trust them 70 keep Us straight on
constitutional law
Executives Power Greater.
alr. Taft said undoubtedly the power
Of the Executive had expanded, but that
had been due to a change Of conditions
The country was bigger and greater. and
the power Of the Executive had naturally
Increased in proportion
The danger Of a usUrpation OF execu-
tive power. Mr.. Taft declared was very
slight. because the executive was 50
entirely dependent on the appropriations
made by Congress
The danger that the legislature viii
usurp some Of the executive functions IS
greater" said 8Ir. Taft
To depart from the once OF President
and come down TO the persons con-
tinueS Mr.. Taft. 1t would be invidious
20 make comparisons. Al I can say IS
that I consider It the greatest good for
p tune that have had the opportunity 20
: take part in his councils
Mr. Taft was cheered heartily at the
conclusion OF his speech. especially when
{ he assured the Virginians Of his pleasure
N having met them entirely without
thought OF his political candidacy.
Follows M Taft
Ex-senator Lindsay followed Mr.. Taft.
Cheers greeted this statement in refer
ence 10 Mr. Taft many Of the diners
Jumping 10 their feet and waving their
napkins 7 know we can trust him I
know that in whatever position he may
be placed. he Will do that thing he be-
licves 10 be right. and 7 know he VIII
come as near believing that 70 be right
which is right as any man born north of
the Ohio River.
But" added the sS5--t9r. can a Re
= publican do right when he IS doing his
, level best2 Can he keep the o1sce OF
President down 10 the constitutional IiTli-
: tations2 In other words. IS he able 70
- nnI those limitations when he looks for
thau12''