The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-07-29
TAFT's VISIT TO ROOSEVELT.
Opposing Views Among His Friends
as tn the Wisdom of IL.

"A special to the Washington Star,
from Hot Springs. Va, where Judge
Taft has been staying since his re-
tirement from office, says: There was
great excitement and much argufying
among the little group of Mr.. Taft's
friends. well-wishers and friendly poll
ticans when he announced late yes
terday afternoon that he would go to
Oyster Pay to consult the President
about his speech of acceptance. Some
favored the move and others deprecat-
ed 1t. Some were sure they discerned
political advantage In 1t, and others
feared 1t would turn out detrimentally.
One faction held that 1t savored Of
too much dependence upon President
Roosevelt, OF yielding to his judgment
upon a speech, to whose effect upon
the people Mr.. Taft and not Presi.
dent Roosevelt Is to be either the
beneficiary or the victim
The other side contended that in
the present temper Of the people of
the Widdle West. where the battle Is
to be fought Mr.. Taft will make ten
friends to one lost In the East. by let
ting the country understand at every
turn that he Is In thorough sympthy
with President Roosevelt and his pol
iceies; that the president approves of
his utterances and that there Is not
the slightest breaking away from.
President Roosevelt. but, on the con-
trary, the closest afiiiliation with him
and his political doctrines.
This faction was in the majority,
and commended Taft for going open
ly to Oyster Bay to show his manu-
script to the president and demon
strate to the country his intimate re-
lance upon the presidents judgment.
These men pointed out that already
there are demands for President
Roosevelt's presence in the coming
campaign. to hold the radical Repub-
iicans into line. and they went
on to say that II there is such a con-
diuon In the party there is every rea-
son to show to the country now the
Intimate sympathy between the pres
ident and Mr. Taft.
Mr.. Taft himself was very frank
about the case. In little informal
talk with the newspaper men he said
he desired to consult the president
about the speech. He had great ad-
miration far the presidents political
Judgment and the president had
been kind enough to interest himself
In Mr.. Taft's behalf. He therefore
concluded to take the manuscript In
person and 60 over It with the pres
ident. He said. in reply to a ques-
ton, thas he did not know whether
any one else would be present at the
or not. but that IL Secre-
tary Roos should be In the neighbor-
hood. he would be glad to have him
read II also.
There was considerable speculation
as to the source Of the suggestion,
which led to Mr.. Taft's determination
to take up his speech with the presi-
dent. In answer to a question Mr.
Taft said the suggestion came from
himself There was much curiosity
to know whether Chairman Hitch
cock. who Is now In the West feeling
the radical pulse. advised for or
against the move. The proposition
has been under consideration for sew
eral days, and was decided yesterday.
Mr., Taft intended to keep 1t quiet un-
I'll today, so as to avoid being be-
sieged. en- route. but the news came
out at Oyster Bay.