Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-01-04
TAFT TALKS AT HUB
Secretary of War Hailed as
"Our Next President.
A son OF SEW ENGLAND HIMSELF
Declares Philippines Not Yet Ready
For Self Government - Defends
ROsseveIt'S Policies ~ Hest
For General Good.

BOSTON, Jan. 1.-progress in the
Philippines, politically. educationally
and sanitary. all tending toward ulti-
mate self government was the basis OF
the address OF Secretary of War WI
liam Ii. Taft before 400 Boston minis
tcrs. IL was his first public utterance
since the completion OF his tour around
the world as well as the first OF three
addresses ne made in Boston.
Secretary Taft spent considerable
time in refuting the arguments of the
SO called anti-imperialists. the maiori-
~ OF whose advocates he seemed to
think belonged 60 Boston. He said
that with only per cent of the i'm.
habitants OF the Philippines sufficient
~ educated 90 understand self gov
ernment IL would bc dangerous to give
the islands over at this time He plac-
ed ultimate self government not ear
lier than a generation or perhaps two
OF them
Mr.. Taft was warmly greeted by the
audience, and several leading diylnes.
who spoke briefly, referred to his po-
litical future anJ expressed hope that
he might become president.
Secretary TAFT attended the banquet
OF the Merchants and Manufacturers
association last night
a great cheer caine from the assem-
bly, as the secretary roSc Co open his
speech. and an the guests stood MP
with him and filed the air with long
continued cheers.
Calls from many parts or the room
FOR Three cheers FOR Secretary TAFT
the next president OF the United
Statcsr were mct with more tumuitu-
Ous cheering.
The secretary uttered no word that
could be construed as am enunciution
OF any DIVERGENT views ass candidate
Tor the Republican nomination for
president From the opening TO the
closing sentences lac bleuthcd loyalty
20 his chief and faithful adherence 10
the principles of government which
Mr.. Roosevelt has proclaimed i'm his
own speeches
IL was as member OF President
Roosevelts cabinet. Ing complete sym
pathy with the policies of the president
respecting the prosecution of corpora
tions engaged i'm ilegitimate practices
that he spoke.
lie said I'm part.
Il am glad to be here. For more
than two years have been trying TO
accept your Kind Invitation l DO not
feel strange In this New England COM
pany. My father was born in Yer
mont, my mother was born in Boston.
my two grandfathers were born i'm
Mendon. Worcester county; much OF
my boyhOod was spent In Millbury. and
i was educated at Yale. While / can
not claim TO Dee one OF You. l like to
boast that l have enjoyed the good ln-
fiuence OF the same traditions.
During the last three months the
country has suffered from q severe
monetary panic. Even yet the clear
ing house certificates linger IN your
bank exchanges as emphatic evidence
OF its severity and OF the extreme
measures which had 10 be taken 10
avoid greater disaster. Doubtless
many or my hearers have not yet re-
covered from the intense nervous
strain and mental suffering 60 which
they have been subjected since the
middle OF October The panic has been
given a certain political bearing and
importance For this reason have Sc
lected as my topic the panic of 1907.
fits causes. it's probable effects and the
relation to Il of the policies of the ma
tional administration.
1T is said that the administration
has arraigned the whole business COM
munity as dishonest. i deny it, The
president has condemned lawbreakers.
he has convinced those who have un-
lawfully accumulated enormous pow
ers and capital that they are not i'm
mune. He has put the fear of the law
in their hearts. They have been acute
enough 10 attempt 10 protect them
selves by giving the impression that
his action has been directed against
the whole business community. 1t is
true that the business men OF our COM
munity as a whole are honest and their
methods sound. The president has
never said otherwise. Indeed it is
chiefly In the interest of the great
body OF honest business men that he
has made his great fight for lawful
business methods"