New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-16
DID NOT ADVISE TAFT
Mr.. ROOSEVELT'S LETTER.
Told Secretary He Mast Decide
H7hether to Go on the Bench.

Magazine" which appears to-day contains the fol-
lowing confidential letters. whose publication is
now authorized In the President tells Taft
that the question Of whether he win accept the
appointment t. the Supreme Court remain in
the War Department. with a chance for the Presf
dsncv IS one which he himself must decide Judge
Taft in answering explains that, while he would
prefer become Associate Justice Of the United
states Supreme Court. he considers that he has a
trust 10 fulfil in regard TO the Philippines. and
that he would not be accomplishing his fun duty
II he retired from the War Department TO succeed
Justice Brown.
The letter from the President TO MI Taft is
follows;
From Theodore Roosevelt William H. Taft.
tCOnndential)
Dear NviI: think have been in error as TO
your feeling You say that II is your decided
preference 10 continue your present work This
lad understood. on the contrary, I gathered
that shat you really wanted TO do was 10 on
your inclination. but III matter in which you
NJ dear Will ii is pre-eninently a. matter in
winch other man can take the responsibility Of
10 DC Nobody could decide for me whether
s2oqle s. - ' Noo o. o6I9 e for me- wbethr
! should accept the Nice-P Presidency try 10 con-
himself who IS 10 lead his life after having de-
clded one way or the ether. No one can lead that
afford 70 have any else make the decision for
him because the vital factor in the decision must
be an equation Of the man himself
As far as ! personally concerned could not
Re aSS YOU'D Under no ctrcumstances even if
had been trained for a lawyer. have any leaning
Ias1'er q ~ o Va 1eTar.rne7t dealing with the
Ps1ar1a and Philippine questions and then abide
the event 10 whether / became President or
position, went back 10 the practice OF the law
APPRECIATES VALUE OF COURT
But appreciate. as every thoughtful man must.
the Importance Of the part 70 be PLAYED by the
DO not all like the social conditions at present
Led and arroganoe and the way in which they
lave unduly prospered by the help Of the ablest
eho--sgh;edness OF the judges, by their unfort
innate possession OF meticuous minds; these facts
and the corruption In business and politics have
JsI2ec 20 a frarf6 IL fbe 8oousr mind
which shows Itself IL part in the enormous in
crease IN the socialstic propaganda
Nothing effective. because nothing al once honest
and intelligent, = being done TO combat the great
amount q evil which. mixed with q little good 3
=. - Some Of these are Socialists,
- ~ IN b7ildIT7g IN a revoIu+ionarv feel,
ing which will, probably take the form OF a
.ste. almost too late. what had to be done in
The silver campaign when, in one summer. we
what they had been laboriously taught for several
Tnaer such circumstances you would be the best
possible leader. and with your leadership We could
All n such a contest you could DO very much if
= sou were IL active political life outside tnlnk
you could DO most as President but you could DO
hut SIN very much. as associate justice, Where
you can fight best I cannot say. for you know
WHAT your soul turns 10 better than I can
AS the situation It Is this: There are strong
n the ffrst place my belief Is that OF ali the
men that have appeared 50 far you are the man
who is most likely 70 receive the Republican
domination. and who IS. I think, the best man
ssde The chance Of the Presidency. even though
% course. ii is chance, however good a one:
into your thoughts. 50 that your sweet and dne
nature would be warped and you would become econ
Heaven. this is absolutely Impossible But II Is
49, 4sfI. - no nan rzjrs save in the most
Vaw nv dea- Viii there is the situation as
see II II is ha-d CHOICE 70 MAKE ana you yG j
before you, each with uncertain possibilities. and
YOU cannot be sure that whichever you take you
better II you had taken the other. But whichever
you take know that you VII renoeI s[eaI al 10
cone and feel that you should decide in &C
co-5ance with the prornptirgs Of your liking,
~ [or- MN belief as 70 where you can render
TIE service which most appeals 10 you, as Wen as
TIA; which you feel IS most beneficial TO the Hs
ce-ely yours THEODORE ROOSEVELT
II bis reply Ny. Taft said.
Point au PIC, Province Of quebec: Canada July 30
NJ Dear NJ Presidet You have s been sInE g90d
.A5 70 express yoC number Of times tle
+-z-9 = o"gfd do so The CHIEF reason Tor my
t-s...5- ss .rs condition OF matters in the War
1 I--7T S-c55I1g The Philippine and Panama
GO L---ear,s WITH respect 10 Panama matters
: .avs no doubt that M Root, 70 whom you pro
-ose5 - --a1sfer supervision OF the Canal Com
mission. would DO the work better man N. H he
r ~ could do i % course We ~, ~I1- lone s and
cold -.--te-s meet the attack better than any
-----g. - - -4ftz-f-I with what has been
done but that consideration would not pe e.
erC-gr 10 require me To sacrifice my ambition To-
z o. na terch or 70 risk the chance iOr DONG 50
RESPONSIBLE FOR PHILIPPINES
have been connected with the administration OF
clr- government the Philippine tSLaL4us s-IiG =
working cut The problem ard carr - ~ Iss
thrust upon the United States am NOR % -
responsible Tor. Rightly or wrongly, ING peFI a.
he islands and especially those VINO nave DeelI
most anxious 10 make our government q tofS
there. have confidence il ny earnest -
r-e F-5Dt1o people and ny willingness 70 90 ever
thing can 10 secure them prospeILt;' peace ailo "
gradual extension OF seli-goFerl!iIltl4il -5,, ~,
y e the necessity IS under N carrying o!l
sur- public business Of securing witnesses aho
establishing evidence In respect 10 e1ch tl.Ii4s
rHs- r-a i no Z thief and has not a corrupt mo
tie which ma kes administrative Work under con
ddns q partisan politics 50 irksole 70 ne nd
3 coRa-dly 10 away from Il "hen one =
k7ox that few. II any. even among my friends.
viI credit ne with anything Dut deslIe. uI In.
scols perhaps 20 run tor ne +J15-+io7 ~ what
CO Bur an confident you credit ny Iessu1ts -
- -Le-, n Won and vii believe me when / say
bench for life tnan for the PresloehTy. AZ
80. - +v-e-rv ears OF judicial service ] couIo
nc -,-.efs moe useful 10 the country than as
p-es{6e-f even n nv election should come about-
bF1ease 80 not misunderstand me 70 Ll[h 80 ~
~ t-@ss7eusaole or the world could not III
= rru-h ne sane Il ~ sct-curnetances seem to
= Lav--ence River f5uL a. re nature Of a
+-lv- = ne personally that should not dsclssr
h- nov succeeding Justice Brown IN Lhe 49,, 49,.
--..lr- 80 one o. two wears Is short 20 DO Tuch
ve- TIE rext session ~ CONGRESS may Jesuit n
WILLIAM II TAFT.