Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-06-23
TAFT ON PRESIDENCY
Secretary Writes His Conception Of
Highest Office in Land.
FIRST A POST OF SERVICE
Man Who Does Not Expect TO Be
Useful Should Keep Out.
DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE BROADER
Growth of Country Brings New
Problems to Solve.
KEEP CLOSE TO THE PEOPLE
Most Notable Acts OF Washington,
Lincoln and Roosevelt Are
cited RS worthy of
Emulation.
Man Who Does Not Expect TO Be
Useful Should Keep Out.
DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE BRoADEl

~,rW YORK, June 22.-Secretary William
H. taft has written the following article
on his conception OF the presidency for the
current issue OF Golfers Weekly
In the four years that have been
member OF the cabinet have become IA
miliar enough with the responsibilities and
burdens OF the presidency to know that no
no can afford unduly to seek that great
office. II he is attracted by honor and
power alone without the hope Of being use
! full he is unworthy Of the honor and unfit
for the use of the power. He must prefer
for the sake OF his own peace Of mind
never to be president 20 being a poor presi-
dent. Confident that the platform on which
he stards is for the best interests OF the
nation he is untrue to himself and his sup
porters II he does not fight valiant for
election after he accepts the leadership.
! But. OF course he must draw the line at
any compact which will not leave him free
of promises and Of the control of any fac
tion.
President's Duties Broader.
'The presidents duties, clearly outlined
by the constitution, have grown broader In
their Interpretation with the growth OF the
country. He should be in the prime OF
years, health and vigor. The capacity for
hard work is a better qualification than
genius IN mastering the essentials Of all the
departments Of the government and UNDER
going the strain of useless interviews. he
should not lock only on those in office but
othose out Of office in all branches OF
private activity for information and opinion
IN order that he may arrive at the truth
4 when he Is surrounded by the conflict OF
interests which come to him with the fair
! words OF the special pleader
In many seasons the most sought after
, he is the lonliest man In the United States
Elected directly by the people as their rep
resentative head. from them In tn sober
I thought OF the majority, he will get his
! best counsel Though indifference or prs-
occupation with private affairs may Keep
| :hem from attending primaries or scanning
closely the other candidates or measures
they can center on the president as their
.rs rument for the expression Of their
Nifhes He should be always near the peo-
BE IN thought and as near them In person
| as his position viii permit. In common
! with the peopl,. he Is human. and he must
ask tAer charity for his mistakes. When
! they have ceased to believe In HIS sincerity
end up.ighteousness OF purpose. his ID a
chctr.ess te six. Once convinced that ne mas
, eovined ana is carrying out their real wish'
nei her elated by an outburst OF applauss
nor diverted by any outburst OF censure' ne
must rroe eed unwaveringly. always by law
fu! methods. 10 the accomplishment OF the
Lopular will
Three Conspicuous Examples.
From washington he may learn nobility
fortitude and forthrightness. Lincoln's life
ana speeches must be his source OF inspira-
tion when ha is misunderstood and he has
q stay to himself patience and cheer
II is easier since we had Lincoln than II
was be.ore to be a good president. He set
u standard.
"It remained for Roosevelt to prove how
the people will respond u a etrong and
true Leadership WI er the N'u- a
for great reforms The policies which he
tnauglrat.d ,rust b. con..nuSG ALL du.'
cated. They are right and they are this
polie!es OF the people. For that reason his
suseesser may we'll disregard any charge
Of lack OF originality If he does not make
an entirely new program Of his own.
- president at this time has work be-
fore him clearly defined. The enforcement
Of the law. equally against high and low
ths powerful and the weak. should be hiI
first thought. The danger to our country
from laxity OF tavoritism in this is th'
greatest one we have to face. The con
Isrvation Of our national resources anC
their development for the use OF all AlonI
tho lines Of equal opportunity too. mus
command his immediate attention. II shculC
be his aim to give high tone TO his admin
istration as President Roosevelt has b!
surrounding himself with men OF promi
nence, enthusiasm in public interest ant
Of the cleAnest and most effective methods.