The San Francisco call., 1908-09-22


now behind Governor Haskell and his
associates, the opponents Of Tart IN the
opposing party.
The great and sinister moneyed inter-
ests, which have shown such hostility
10 the administration and now TO Mr..
Taft, have grown TO oppose the admin
istration on various matters not con,
nected with those which mark this real
point of difference. For instance, the
entire agitation over Brownsville was
IN large part not genuine agitation
on behalf of colored men at all, but
merely one phase OF the effort by the
.represen tatives of certain law defying
corporations 10 bring discredit upon
the administration because il was seek
ing to cut out the evils connected, not
only with the corrupt use of wealth,
but especially with the corrupt alliance
between certain businessmen of large
fortunes and certain politicians Of great
Office.
Venomeus hostility of these interests
and Of their special deputies in public
life and in the press, to the nomina-
ton OF Mr.. Taft was merely the natural
sequence Of their hostility TO the meas
ures OF the administration for the regu-
1aton OF great corporations doing an
interstate business and TO the attitude
OF the administration in consistently
prosecuting all Offenders OF great
wealth precisely as IL has prosecuted
al other offenders. Mr.. Taft has been
nominated for the very reason that he
Is the antlthesis OF the forces that were
responsible for Mr.. Foraker.
The letter OF Mr.. Taft is as follows:
LETTER BY TAFT
War Department Washington.
Rointe au Pic, Can. July 20, 1902.
Ny dear Mr. In respect to
one inquiry Of yours 1 wish to express
myself with much emphasis as pos
sibie; that is, whether I would object
10 a compromise resolution which shall
sneiuoe an Endorsement of myself for
ne presidency and Senator Foraker for
the senatorship. In my judgment ii
would be not only q great mistake
something more. 1t would be accepted
necessarily as a compromise on my be-
cence; or, at least, with the acquies-
cence of my friends, for whose actions
am more or less responsible. Ii would
totally misrepresent my position.
] don't care for the presidency If Ii
mas 70 come by compromise with Sem
ator Foraker or any one else in a mat
Ter OF principle. He has opposed the
vital policies and principles of the ad-
inlnistration and in his opposition has
seized upon and magnifed an important
pgt incidental matter 10 embarrass the
administration. using in this without
scruple, blind race prejudice to ac-
comphsh his main purpose If L was
Terence within my party not involving
q subject which must come up for con-
slolelratlon and action by the next re-
poonean national convention. 1 should
NO Personal FEELING
1T is not on my part a question of
PefsonaI feeling with respect to Senator
foraker. 1t is really a question of
Ro1iSlea4 ,prlnciple. In respect TO this,
be!ieNe to be the sentiment of the
geople OF ohio In resolution asking
ehe senator TO support the rate bill.
senator Foraker declined TO follow this
resolution. When the issue is whether
ne snali be returned. il must be de-
termineo, II this is to be a representa-
i've form OF government not by the
question whether he has followed his
conscience, but by the question whether
bbs bs. rea.lg represents the principles that
ms constituents desire supported and
Put into practice. This issue is really
whether the republicans OF Ohio, there
lore, as the constituents OF either a
senator or a political candidate sum
port the main policies maintained Nv
those policies.
Representing the policies of the ad-
mlnistration, I can not stultify myself
Dy acQuiescence In any proposed COM
promise which necessarily involves the
hdmlssion that the republicans of Ohio
regard this fundamental difference
OF opinion as OF no Importance and
one that can be waived in the interest
tactional differences.
tND0RSE ADMINISTRATION
There is not the slightest doubt that
the next national convention of the re-
pupncan party Will sustain in full the
vital and main principles maintained
by President Roosevelt and will express
no sympathy with the opposition repre-
sented by Senator Foraker Because
Deneve in these principles and because
IN my Judgment the republicans of the
state and nation are Overwhelmingly
IN favor OF them, l can not favor any
action by members of the committee
VINO 90 me the honor to support me
and wish to aid me. which Will have
lne appearance OF acquiescence to the
proposed compromise"
publish this letter without Mr.
Iatts knowledge because L feel it my
duty TO the public that his attitude
should be known. The man who un-
hesitatingly resists temptation. who
can not be swerved by any considera-
tloh OF personal interest from follow
Ing the course which his lofty concep-
ton Of duty dictates TO him. the man
whose whole concern is for the welfare
OF the people and who has proved in a
htetime OF difficult and useful public
service his extraordinary capacity as
an administrator is surely the man of
ali others TO be intrusted with the
presidency Mr. Taft's candidacy is
not pased upon large and vague prom
lses, part of which would be impossible
OF achievement and part of which would
be absolutely mischieVous to the people
OF the whole country II put into effect.
his candidacy is based upon his great
record OF actual achievement his great
record of service 10 the public. upon
his in1eNible adherence to the highest
standards Of righteousness and upon his
proved and absolute fearlessness in re-
lentlessly warning against evil Wher-
ever II may be found. / appeal to all
good citizens. to all high minded. con-
sclentious men who love their country
for the sake OF their country. to MT
such a man al its head
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
sycamore HILL oyster Bay, September
p, 1908.