New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-15
TAFT SURE OF GOOD
MAJORITY In OHIO
CANDIDATE CLOSES TRIP
THROUGH STATE.
Says Atftude of Labor Has Been
Misrepresented- Wheelings
Great Reception.
rRv telegraph to The Tn5une.I J

On completing his three days tour OF his own
state. tonight said:
Il have now spent three days in the state or
Ohio. much Of the time in industrial and la0'r
centres among men who. II was reported Were
dlsanected and opposed to the Republican party
and its candidate Wherever appeared was
cordially received and only an occasional inter
ruption indicated that misrepresentation OF the
attitude Of the party ana the candidate hsd
made casual impression 1t is my opinion
that the attitude OF labor toward the Republican
party has been nisrepresented quite as freely
as that of the party and the candidate toward
labor. and I find no reason for the belief that
labor will divide other than the lines that
have heretofore divided it. In NY opinion the
normal Republican labor vote will be cast a.
heretofore.
I'm the agricultural regions IL is quite ap-
parent that the farmers are opposed TO change
that will inperfI their present prosperity The
situation in Ohio IS entirely satisfactory and
one has any reasonable doubt that the majority
will be a substantial one. I certainly have TO
doubt on the subject myself"
WHEELING's REMARKABLE RECEPTION
Wheeling gave Mr.. Taft this evening the
greatest reception in point OF numbers and en-
thusiasm which he has received east Of the
Mississippi. Only Denver and St Louis have
exceeded in numbers the crowd which came %
Wheeling to greet the Republican nominee.
which lined the streets for miles. which burned
red fire and shot Roman candles and shouted
itself hoarse with the continuous cry OF ''Hsr-
rah for Taftr' In no city which the candidats
bo- ,-{ei+a bor a
Of decorations or so many private houses which
by mute testimonial sought to do honor TO the
candidate. Almost every house. store and office
along the line Of march contained Taft pictures
not a single copy. but one in each window.
Ali windows were a blaze OF light. Flags were
hung about the houses in great profUsion, and
every part of the way was brilliant with the
glare of red fire.
The line Of march which lay through the
centre Of the city, required something over an
hour to cover. at the end Of which time Mr.
Taft was landed at a large market house on
the South Side. Here the arrangements we're 50
bad that il was quite impossible for Mr. Taft tc
make a speech. OF the 1000 OF 5000 assembled
not more than third could get within sight OF
the candidate. and these were subjected to
pressure from their less fortunate neighbors
which proved a grave menace to life and limb
Women screamed and tainted while those under
up a continuous CIar1Or.
The chairman. unable 70 obtain order, finally
introduced Mr.. Taft. though the people could not
hear his voice. Mr.. Taft expressed his pleasure
at the warmth Of the reception. but said he
could not speak unless the crowd kept quiet
He was then informed that women and children
were being crushed and in danger Of their lives
He ended his remarks at once and was driven
rapidly 10 the old Baltimore & Ohio station.
where. from platform erected in the open air,
he addressed an audience of 10000 persons who
listened TO him with marked attention
So eager were the people to get close to Mr..
Taft at the market house that as he turned TO
leave the stand the crowd surged against the
frau railing of the temporary platform and the
railing parted and the platform fell The Taft
party escaped a fall by a few feet and several
of the audience who had attempted TO climb
into the stand werehurt. but none seriously.
TURNS CANARD To HIS ADVANTAGE
An afternoon paper had printed a sensational
story to the effect that il had been discovered
that Judge Taft had without trial or hearing,
sentenced certain young men 20 Jail for con-
tempt. and that those men were now living in
Wheeling. Mr.. Taft said on this matter
Why. I thought everybody knew about that
l did enjOin them not to break the law. They
broke il I had them arrested. gave them not
had disregarded the order of the court. and were
guilty of contempt I sentenced them six
months in Jail and they served their terms. as
they deserved To. and IL I were a Judge on the
bench I would do il again.
"Hurray for the judge-he's all right" shout
ed the crowd Mr. Taft went on:
You see. it was merely a case OF lavvbreakin~
These men thought the wages on the Ohio side
of the river were too low. and they struck and
then entered into a conspiracy to prevent any
coal cars from crossing the river That was a
direct violation Of United States statute As
a judge I had nothing do with the question
of wages. but il my duty 10 enforce
the law and I did my duty to the best OF my
ability. II men are TO be subjected 10 political
TetributiOn because. as judges. they enforce the
Constitution and statutes. the country has come
70 unfortunate pass. But 7 don't believe IL
has come 70 such a pass, and don't believe
any will vote against me because I have
done my duty, and if any does let him. (Cheers
and cries of We wOn't-)
Mr. Taft then reviewed his other labor decf-
sons His evident sincerity and his sledgs-
hammer methods completely won the vast audi
ence. which sought by every known method to
demonstrate approval
Referring to the charge that Daniel J. Keefe.
head of the Longshoremen's Union and member
of the executive council Of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor had declared for Taft under
promise Of a federal office. Mr.. Taft said.
Mr. Keefe denies that charge. The President
denies It Moreover. the President purposes to
answer 1t. Therefore. II is unnecessary for me
to say anything further about that.
Mr. Taft reviewed his relations with labor
In the Philippines and head OF the Panama
Canal. and closed with an eloquent appeal for
support OF the Republican ticket He received
! tremendous and long continued applause when