New-York tribune., 1908-06-19
CAREER OF WILLIAM
HOWARD TAFT
Has FILLED MANY POSTS
OF IMPORTANCE.
Solicitor General of the United States
Federal Judge-Gorernor OF
Philippines s-Secretry of Var.

There is not in this nation g higher or finer
oype Of public servant than Governor Taft In
these words President Roosevelt set the seal
of his approval on the work done by Mr. Tart
as the first Governor OF the Philippines, our
island possession beyond the sea
When Mr. Taft took the portfolio or secretary
Of War. succeeding Elihu Root, now Secretary
of State former classInate and an intimate
friend said: Secretary Taft is just the same
man now that he was in college. He has helu
high official position since then-has oeeh
Superior Court judge. federal Judge. Solicitor
General Of the United States and civil Gov
ernor Of the Philippines-and now he mas pe-
come Secretary Of War: but the Fundamentals
traits Of his character haven't changed bill
He's the same BIZ Taft that knew in col
lege grown older, stronger and more mature
DR. Lyman Abbott described him recently
thus: To define him in sentence, Mr. Tart
IS 2 great brain and a great heart in great
body" In the same article the editor Of Tine
Outlook made this comparison between MI
Taft and the other prospective candloales'
comparing him with other Presidential candl-
dates he appears TO me to be as independent
as Mr. Hughes and to have had q larger ex-
l,erience; possibly not good lawyer as
MI Knox but a better Judge; as human as MI
Cannon and possessing ideals which Mr. Can
Fairbanks with power of action. and al
times of splendid wrath, of which Mr FAR
hanks has shown no sign; truly radical IN
his advocacy Of human rights as Mr. La Fol-
lette but unlike Mr.. La Toilette, equally de-
te-rnined TO defend them, whether the assail-
ant is democracy or piutocracy
AN INDEFATIGABLE WORKER
Two of the chief characteristics Of Mr. Taft
era his intense devotion TO the duty that is near
est 10 his hand and his determination to accom-
pish what he has set out TO do. He is qulet
hut active and indefatigable worker ana III
every field in which he has been placed the re
suits secured are a tribute TO his energy, re
sourcefulness and ability. His personal interest,"
IN the problems presented TO him is SHOWN IN
his devotion TO men, not theories. Nhen nrst
called to take up his work in the Phillpplnes Tie
was inclined not TO accept, he had felt that
this country did not need the Islands and that
their acquisition had been impolitic. He went to
-re islands hostile to the idea of retaining them
tI,- he found that the needs of the people were
what this country could supply and that there
was an opportunity for missionary work OF the
highest sort. and he gave himself to the task OF
organizing a government and teachlng d ar
Eastern people TO govern themselves. Nheh
friend said TO him. You are the father or the
Philippines.'' he replied: 'Oh. no, am not
that. but I would like to be called the father OF
the Fipinos
It was in the same spirit that he went to Cuba
ta introduce the needed order and system that
will serve TO bring that island into right rela-
-ions with the rest Of the world preserve its
own individuality and promote the peace OF the
rreople In the work of constructing the Pan
anna Canal he has shown the same intense IN
terest that has marked his devotion TO the DIS
charge Of other duties, and his visits 10 the
isthrY;ls have been followed by an increase IN
the amount Of work accomplished by the army
of diegerg AS the head of the War Department
he has found time not only to discharge the
1rultifarious duties devolving on him, but also
70 give much time to journeying TO different
parts Of the country to speak to his fellow citi-
gems on all the topics of the day, in regard 10
which he has made known his views with frank
ness and freedom. taking the nation INTO MS
confidence and giving the people the results Of
his ripened experience
JUST IN THE PRIME OF LIFE.
william Howard Taft is in the prime of =
,,os, Vigorous manhood. He was fifty-one years
old last Septenlber and despite the fact that he
IS heavyweight he is light and active on his
feet and enjoys robust health. He is the son OF
q former Secretary of War and Attorney Cen
.ral Alphonso Taft like himself Yale graduate
and a public man who filed many important po-
sitions The Taft family is of English origin one
OF the Secretary's ancestors having come TO this
county in 1886 and served for thrty-eight
wears as secretary of -he province of Massachu-
e,-x a.,o,,t the lime of the Revolution the
f-eat-erandparents Of Secretary Taft went from
Massachusetts TO Vermont, and their son, Peter
Fauson Taft was judge in Windham County
and for many years member Of the Legislature
He was The father of Alphonso, who was born
IN 1916 in Townsend, Vt, and was graduated
from Yale in 1888. After teaching and studying
Law he was admitted 10 the bar in New Haven
and wen. 70 Cincinnati to pursue his profession
in 1928 He soon acquired a large and lucrative
1eractice In 1871 he married 20 Miss Fannie
Pbelrs. Of Townsend Vt. who died in 49, leav-
ing TWO sons. Charles Phelps Taft and Peter
Par-eon Taft the latter now dead. Two years
later Judge Taft was married TO Miss Louise
NJ Torrey Of Mburv, Mass and they had
three sons and daughter, all now living, of
whom, William Howard is the eldest. being
horn G pternber Il. 1867. At that time Judge
Taft was one Of the leading men in Cincin-
rati and had already filled a number of i'm
rortant local positions He was appointed
s,,dse # the Superior Court in 1865, and there
after twice elected 10 the same post In March,
1870 President Grant made him Secretary of
War and three months later transferred him
20 the .osr Of Attorney General. which he held
,,,,, the close Of General Grants second term.
In IsS2 he was appointed Minister to Austria by
President Arthur. and was sent TO st Peters
burg as minister in 1884, serving until August !,
1885,
while his father was filing these important
public positions William II. Taft was secur-
ing his education and embarking on career
in the same profession. He attended the pub
lit, schools of Cincinnati and was prepared
for college at the Woodward High School IN
1874 t,e beva, his four years course at Yale.