Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-02-13
TAFT APARTY man
The Secretary Of. War Addressed
Young Republicans Of Missouri
at Kansas City.
THEY FOLLOW ROOSEVELT
He Declared the AdminlstratIon's Poll
Giles Of Social and Moral Reform
Were Sanctioned by His
Political Associates.


Kansas City, Feb. 11.-Convention
hall was the scene OF an enthusiastic
gathering Monday night upos the oc-
casion Of the banquet of the Young
Republicans OF Missouri. Many OF
those present came from Nebraska,
Kansas and Oklahoma to hear Secre-
tary OF War Taft, who was the guest
of honor and the principal speaker.
Eulogizing Lincoln, Secretary Taft
said he was a party man "as all men
must be who expect to leave their In
divldual impress upon the political
character of the Nation.
1.-THE course of the republican party
since Its organization In 1858, and its
real assumption of control In 1851,
down to the present day, Is remark
able for the foresight and ability of its
leaders, for the discipline and solidar-
ity OF its members, for its efficiency
and deep sense Of responsibility for
the preservation and successful main
tenance OF the government, and for
the greatest resourcefulness in meet
ing the various trying and difficult Is
sues which history of now full half
century has presented for solution"
Secretary Taft enumerated the
various policies of the party, and said
that only twice "ln all that remark
able history of 4S years have we lost
the confidence of the people OF the
United States to the point of their
turning over the government to DEM
ocratic executive.
Secretary Taft referred to abuses
that had been practiced by corpor-
atoms and declared that a conviction
seized the people that there were many
engaged In the management OF cor
porate wealth who regarded the sta
tutes as dead letters, and themselves
as a privileged class. I'VE were pass
ing into a regime Of an irresponsible
plutocracy," said he. During the last
four years there has been a great
moral awakening to this danger among
the people and popular demand that
the law-breakers-no matter how
wealthy or how high or powerful their
position--shall be made to suffer. I'm
der the leadership Of Theodore RoOse-
welt, the republican party has not fall
tered In Its determination to meet the
requirements Of this situation, and to
enact such legislation as may be nee
essary to bring to close this period
Of Legitimate corporate immunity"
Secretary Taft spoke of the recent
panic and of President Roosevelt's
special message to congress. "The
contains an answer to the
charges made that the administration
is responsible for the industrial de-
preston which has followed" said
the secretary, "and the sharpness and
emphasis with which this unfounded
attack Is met, have heartened the
great body Of the people as by bugle
call to renewed support of the policies
Of the administration.
"The republican party follows the
administration upon this social and
moral reform-approves its attitude
In favor Of vested rights, Of maintain
Ing the power of the courts, Of rem.
ierlng more equality by legislation the
basis of dealing between employer
and employee, of strengthening the
regulative power over railroads and
other interstate corporations, and Of