Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-15
TAFT TALKS OF MRTNLEY
President-eleot Pays Tribute to Mem
DRY Of Martyred Predecessor.
DISCUSSES TRIP TO PANAMA
He VIII Take C~OnsuItIng Engineers
with Him and VIII Probably
Visit thmu Once
Each Year.

NEW YORK, Dec. H.-wniam II. Taft.
speaking last night at the dedication Of q
Mckinley memorial organ in Metropolitan
temple. told to an audience which repeat
edly interrupted him with applause. the
story OF his official association with the late
president and declared with reference to
the Philippine islands that the policy laid
down by MIR. Mckinley in 1900 had been the
policy Of the present as 1t was the policy
Of his own administration in the White
House. Mr.. Taft reached New York early
today from Washington and viii remain
here until Thursday, when he leaves for
Augusta, Ca, to spend the five weeks pre-
ceding his proposed departure to the
Panama canal. Mr.. Taft said his visit to
New York was devoid OF political interest
and that he did not expect to make any
cabinet announcements while here. He is
TO address the National Civic federation
Tuesday evening and the opening session
Wednesday evening.
The dedicatory service at which the
president-elect spoke tonight, began with
the morning service in the house. Mr.. Taft
attended that servke as well and was
cheered by a great throng gathered outside
the building. In addition 70 himself the
| speakers tonight were Andrew Carnegie and
John J. McCook.
Judge Taft's speech.
TT was in February, 1900" said Mr.. Taft
in relating the personal narrative OF his
resignation from the bench and entry into
public life which in late years has brought
him to the presidency, that / received
from MI. Mckinley a telegram which read
like this:
IF YOU have no other engagement, you
will do me a great favor by calling on me
in Washington some time next week.
Il did not know of any vacancy existing
ON the supreme court bench at that time,
but / went to Washington just the same
Arriving at the White House I was ushered
into the cabinet room and there / met the
president.
Judge he said. ia like for you TO, &C
to the Philippines
II said, Mr.. President, what do yoU
mean by going to the Philippines?
He replied, We must establish a gov
eminent there and l would like for YOU
to help
But, Mr.. President 1 said, I am SORT
we have got the Philippines. I don't wan
them and I think you ought to have SOM
man who is more in sympathy with TIT
situation
You don't want them any less thai
/ do replied the president. but we hav,
got them and in dealing with them ! thinl
/ can trust the man who didn't want then
better than I can the man who did"
Decides to Accept Sob.
"You can readily understand" CONTINUES
Mr.. Taft, the feelings of a man who's
only object in going TO Washington wa
| the hope Of finding a vacant place on tn
supreme court bench to be asked to g
1000 miles from home. But after / ha
talked with Mr. Mckinley and with Score
tary Root i decided I would go and Il
a hurry. 1 went under the influence o
Mr.. McKinley's personality, the inf,uenc
he had of making people do what the
ought to do in public service. Mr.. MeKn
ley said he would stand by me to tn
Philippines and he did. He was a man @
the most wonderful tact that / ever knew
Mr.. McKinley's idea-and 1t is his ide
we are still carrying out in the Philip
pines-one Of benevolent cause. That ide
or policy has come in for much ~crlticisI
and ridicule because We had to be in
by fighting a war, because tranquiIlIt
/. was served only through the exercise {
! the sword. 1t was a cause of the deepei
4 sorrow TO Mr.. Mckinley hat this wa
hGLGhbdl9 dAA NhA VIC ~ AE
carry out that which he would have I
4 do were he alive today. We are trying
educate the people in the islands an
teach them true partial self-goverHmer
} to attain a point where ultimately the
will be able to govern themselves.
a 1T is necessary for US 10 stay in tn
a Philippines in order to benefit the peopl
there. The rising generation is. eagerl
. grasping the opportunities that are offere
= and there are now 10000 of children in II
a schools.
. What providence has thrust upon I
the responsibility of a people. our duty
aiding them is like that Of men favore
a by fortune, whose duty It is 10 help Il
= helpless and unfortunate in theacommunit
/ speak Of the people with confidence thu
comes of having watched the progress
/. the islands. In good faith we are carryir
/. out an altrustic policy. We must eau
policy and hold the Islands for the ben
n fits of the people who live there. If v
Il rse the Philippines for purpose of e
a ploitation OF Of more benefit to US at II
n expense OF the people, we depart from Il
faith and desert the base upon which M
Mckinley would have had US carry Of
n benevolent work there to q splendid su
u cess"
N Great Judge Of Hen.
Mr.. Taft paid a striking personal tribu
N to the character Of Mr.. Mckinley and d
"a clared that it was peculiarly fitting that
~ organization should be dedicated TO hfl
m whose life was one Of harmony.
He also was a great judge OF men
A.. continued Mr.. Taft. Il did not realize nc
great until I began the work myself
IN selecting a cabinet.
"a He always seemed sure Of his abili
mi TO persuade a man 10 accept office und
him. no matter how positive wal the /
N formation he received that the man
"a question could not possibly undertake I
work In mind. He was told It was n