Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1908-09-22
Says He Doesn't Care 10 Dis
CuSS Matter Oif-Hdnd but
May Say Some
thing Later.
ROOSEVELT URGES
ELECTION Of TAFT
Makes Public Letter in Which
Candidate Refused to COmpro-
mise on Matter of Prin-
CIple and Points Out In
tegTily of Nominee.

Cincinnati, Sept. 22.-No answer to
the statement issued by President
Roosevelt last night will be made to-
day by Senator Foraker, although he
may have something to say later. The
senator said he had read what the
president had to say but did not care
to discuss the matter off-hand.
The president in ms statement
made public a letter from TAFT 10 a
friend in Ohio, dated July 20, 1907,
IN which Taft refused acquiesence in
the plan of the Ohio state central
committee to endorse TAFT for the
presidency and Foraker for the sena-
torship. Taft said in this letter that
he did not care for the presidency IL
II came by compromise with Foraker
or anyone else in the matter OF prin-
ciple. He said that Foraker had op-
posed vital politics and the princl-
pies of the administration and for this
reason he did not care to be endorsed
with him. The letter is as follows:
War Department, Washington, ID. c.
"Pointe Au Pic, Canada, July 20,
1897.
My Dear ------. In respect to
one inquiry Ot yours i wish 10 express
myself with as much emphasis as
possible, that Is. whether / would OBJ
sect to compromise resolution which
shall include an endorsement OF my
self for the presidency and Senator
Foraker for the senatorship. In my
judgment 1t would not only be a great
nistake--something more. 1t would
be accepted necessarily as a compro-
mise on my behalf, and therefore.
with my acquiescence or at least with
the acquiescence of my friends for
whose action l am more or less re-
sponsible. 1t would totally misrepre-
sent my position. 1 DON'T CARE
FOR THE PRESIDENCY If II HAS
TO COME BY COMPROMISE WITH
SENATOR FORAKER or anyone else
IA a matter of principle. He has op-
posed the vital policies and principles
of the administration and in his op-
position has seized upon and magni-
lied an important but Incidental mat
ter TO embarrass the administration,
using in this, without scruple, a olind
race prejudice to accom- plish his main
purpose. IL l was confronted with a
mere factional difference within my
party, not involving subject which
must come up for consideration and
action by the next Republican con-
yention, / should not be SO emphatic
in my conclusion. 1t is not on my
part a personal feeling with respect
to Senator Foraker. 1t Is really a
question of political prime pie. In re-
spect 10 this, the legislature of Ohio
expressed what l believe to be the
sentiment of the people of Ohio in a
resolution asking the senator to sup
port the rate bill Senator Foraker
declined to follow this resolution.
When the issue is whether he shall
be returned, it must be determined IL
this Is to he a representative form OF
government, not by the question
whether he really represents the prin-
ciples that his constituents desire sup
ported and put into practice. The is
sue really Is whether the Republicans
Of Ohio, therefore, as the constituents
OF either a senator or a political can
didate, support the main policies
maintained by the administration or
the opposition to those policies. Rep
resenting the pol licies of the admins
tration l cannot stultify myself by
acquicscence in any proposed cOmpro-
mise which necessarily involves the
admission that the Republicans of
Ohio regard this fundamental differ
ence of opinion as of no Importance
and one that can be waived in the
interest OF party harmony or the set
element Of factiOnal differences. There
Is not the slightest doubt that the
next national convention OF the Re-
publican party will sustain In full the
vital and main principles maintained
by President Roosevelt and will ex-
press no sympathy with the opposi-
ton represented Dy Senator Foraker.
because / believe In these principles
and because in my judgment the Re-
publicans OF the state and nation are
overwhelmingly in favor OF them.
cannot favor any action by members
OF the committee who do me the
honor TO support me and wish to aid
me- which will have the appearance
Of acquiescence to the proposed COM
promise. Very sincerely yours.
civilian II. TAFT"
In commenting on this letter Mr..
Roosevelt says:
Il publish this letter without Mr..
TaN's knowledge because feel II my
duty to the public that his attitude
should be known. The man who un-
hesitatlngly resists temptation, who
cannot be swerved by any considera-
tlon ot personal interest from follow