The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-01-27
INCIDENTS IN THE LIE OF
SECRETAR William H. TAFT


its supports. Another heaYe and the
sidewalk was thrown to one side. Mr..
Taft told the Frenchman to gather ii
up and put ii away. But the old man
just walked admiringly after his hero.
and whenever he could get enc to
stand and listen, he'd declare:
"zy gar, dat Tai, he strong as one
bull moose"
There is Just one other college story
that shouId be told before that por-
ton of his life is passed. Every one
knows how collegians prize college
honors. The class of 1878 had most
animated election to choose the class
orator, and Tan was elected by sim
gle vote. But after the election charg-
es made that some of Taft's over-en-
thusiastic supporters had without the
knowledge OF their candidate, resorted
to measures to gain votes which might
Ilegitimately be criticized. Taft
promptly resigned the Office of class
orator.
The other students came to him and
begged him to reconsider his decision.
They pointed out that no one had con-
nected him with the ill.considered
measures; that no one suspected him
OF Knowledge of them. They said that
his election was honestly won. But
Taft only had the one answer, "AS
long as there is single blot upon my
title, l won't take IT." So they held
another class election. and this time
he was elected almost unanimously.
And the future Secretary OF War
chose as the subject Of his Grafton.
1.-THE Vitality OF the Democratic Par
ty," and traced the party back to the
very beginning of our government,
through all its changes Of name. Those
who heard that Grafton still say that
as an exposition OF the theory of pol
tiles in democratic form OF govern.
ment 1t was unsurpassed.
, How He Saved One Man His Job.
Through with college. young Taft
went back to his home in Cincinnati
to prepare to practise law. But It
; was required OF him that he first earn
. his living. for Judge Alphonso Taft,
! his father, was by no means a rich
] man. Naturally enough, perhaps, Taft
became court reporter for the old
} Commercial Gazette, then in the hey
r day Of its glory. and his reports OF
l certain celebrated cases are still held
5 out there to be models OF journalistic
/ excellence incidentally, it may be,
:. he first trained some men OF present
3 day emlnence to stand the light of pub,
4 liciy without blinking. for his wit
r If It didn't leave scar, at least IL,
Illuminated every story. One very
! well known lawyer for years carried
r grudge that Taft, in his report OF
!. one celebrated case, had compared him
: to Sergeant Buzfuz." The old attor.
t ney distinctly did not consider that a
> compliment.
2 Thanks to this experience. Mr.. Taft
. gained knowledge of and sympathy
: with newspaper men that has always
: marked him dealings with them. He
I talks more freely, perhaps, than any
. other public man to the men Of the
:. pad and pencil, and his confidence has
5 never been abused. Mique O'Brien,
: very well known in Ohio and New
York newspaper circles, tells of his
: first experience with Judge Taft, then
5 on the United States Circuit bench. 81
e told the city editor that was the best
: court reporter that ever happened, .
. said o'Brien, "for needed the money,
3 AS matter OF fact, I couldn't have
!, told subpoena from a lunacy com
1 mission II had been asked. First
) rattle out of the box I was ordered to
e go to Judge Taft's court and report q
( big case then being tried.
!. well. 1t was a peach, that case
: Something about a railroad. never
$ did know more OF it than that.
2 wouldn't have known that much only 3
1 man dressed like conductor came
|, on the stand. I sat there in daZe
i. all day long, and finally made up my
4 mind to go back to the office, draS
: what money could to get a square
i meal on, and then beat 1t. could
2 see my finish looking me square be
1 tween the eyes. But some kind ange'
5 put it into my head to put my troubles
k up to Judge Taft.
t 80 did. waited until he left