The Washington herald., 1908-06-19
TRAINED FOR OFFICE
Taft Thoroughly Tried in
Many Positions.
LONG IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE
Born I'm Cincinnati on September 15,
1S57-GraduRte of YnIe-Dominant
Note I'm Character Is His American
ism-Once I'm the Newspaper Bust
ness-BiG In Girth and Mind.

1t has been said that America can show
few. and perhaps no more pictui esque
personality to-day than that of William
Howard Taft
The dominant note in the character OF
the big Ohioan is Americanism. He
stands as a living example Of what en-
ergy intelligence, and perseverance can
achieve for an American boy who enters
the public service Of Uncle Sam.
Big. not only in girth. but in mind. Taft
is a man who makes friends easily. and
keeps them. He interests his intellectual
equals, and inspires respect even in those
who criticise him. For nearly thirty
years he has given himself TO the public
service, and throughout that time has
shown a broad grasp OF affairs. an iron
nerve, integrity, sympathy and a consid-
erable insight into human nature.
Thoroughly Tried.
This latter quality has been Of especial
aid 10 him in the selection Of subordinates
and Of friends. II is said by those who
know him best that the Republican party
has never had as one Of its leaders a
in public Office, or who has proved HIM
self more equal to the tasks set for him.
Early Days.
He disproved the prevalent theory that
honor men at college never turn out well,
for he had finished second in his class
Of 40 men at Yale. In 1880 he was gradu-
ated from the law school OF Cincinnati
~
mitted TO the bar. Then he became a re-
porter on the Cincinnati Commercial. and
stayed there for a part OF two years. In
1851 he was made assistant prosecutor
OF Hamilton County. and later he served
as assistant county solicitor
Not the least significant thing about his
career IS that for few months in 1852
he was collector OF internal revenue for
the First district Of Ohio. political job.
paying a big salary. and that he resigned
the Office because there was nothing to
It but the money.
The family from which Mr.. Taft comes
IS one not unknown IN the law, public
service. and affairs OF the republic. The
Secretary's ancestral stock IS that OF the
English yeomanry which sent out so
many Of the sturdy settlers that peopled
New England.
Peter Taft served as a member Of the
Vermont legislature and afterward as a
Judge. Alfonso Taft. Peters son. prac-
ticed law in the Western Reserve, and
finally settled in Cincinnati. and II was
at Mount Auburn. a suburb. on Septem-
Der Is, 1857, that his son, William How
ard. was born.
The father held a place In Grants
Cabinet, was afterward Attorney Gen.
eral. and finally entered the diplomatic
service as Minister 10 Austria, and after
ward to Russia Secretary Taft's mother
I who was Miss Louise NJ. Torrey, also
came OF New England stock. II was az
her express command and at n period
when she knew she was entering upon
the last stage Of her life that the Sec
retary promised the Filipinos that he
would go to Manila and in person for
mally open their assembly last fall.
In view OF his mothers health he would
far rather have remained at home. but
Of the spirit that actusted both the
mother and son.
Big All Over.
Much has been said. and false present.
ments have been made by cartoonists as
to the physical appearance Of Mr.. Taft.
He is big, but he has the height and
breadth of frame TO carry his weight.
His life and training at Yale made him
typical Of the American college man at
his best While at the university he was
big. good-natured boy, who played a
great deal. but did not forget TO work
He kept his 225 pounds in good condition
with exercise. When he graduated with
the class OF rs he was salutatorian.
An incident that shows clearly that
Taft can fight on occasion, in fact. that
he Is of the fighting breed which is
known to appeal to President Roosevelt.
occurred during his early life in Cincin-
natl.
There was a man who ran a black
mailing paper in the city at that time
| had the reputation of being a prize fight
er, and was usually accompanied by a
I band Of roughs. Alfonso Taft, unsuccess-
ful candidate for governor at that cleo
! ton, was slanderously assailed by this
man in his paper. Young Taft forgot his
/ judicial training and study of the law,
and taking matters into his own hands
/ rushed into the office of the newspaper
and gave the slanderer a sound thrash
/ ing.
The man quit Cincinnati that night and
| his paper never appeared again.
The first public office that young Taft
held was that OF assistant prosecuting at
! torney Of Hamilton County. where he
! helped 10 drive out a political ring whose
| influence had long dominated the city.
In 1883 he became assistant county solic-
| itoT, and two years later was appointed
| judge OF the Superior Court
Married in 1886.
In 1856 Judge Taft married Miss Helen
Heron, daughter OF John w. Heron, Of
! Cincinnati. They have three children
Robert, student at Yale: Helen, a stu
dent at Bryn Mawr. and Charles Phelps
| I'd. who goes 10 the public school in
Washington.
! President Harrison asked Judge Taft 20
take the post OF Solicitor General Of the
] United States In that Office he gave evil
dence OF rare legal acumen, having 20
deal with some notable controversies,
among them the seal fisheries question