The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-09-22
..Point au Pic. Canada, JULY 3,

my Lear MT: IN d T0
one inquiry OF yours, / wish to express
myself with as much emphasis as pos
sible, that is, whether / would object
to q compromise resolution which
shall include an endorsement OF my
self for the presidency and Senator
Foraker for the senatorship. In my
Judgment 1t would be not only q great
understanding more. It would be
accepted necessarily as q compromise
my behalf, and, therefore, with my
acquiesence, or at least with the ac-
.quiescence Of my friends, for whose
action ! am more or less responsible.
1t would totally misrepresent my 20.
/ don't care for the presidency
IL It has to come by compromise with
Senator Foraker or anyone else in a
matter Of principle. He has opposed
the vital points and principles Of the
administration and in his opposition
has seized on and magnified an import
ant but incidental matter to embarrass
the administration using in this, with
out scruple, a blind race prejudice to
accomplish his main purpose. II I was
confronted with q mere fractional diff
ference within my party, not involving
a subject which must come up for con-
sideration and action by the next Re
publican national convention, I should
not be so emphatic in my conclusion.
It is not on my part a question Of per
sonal feeling with respect to Senator
Foraker. It is really q question OF po-
litical principle. In respect to this,
the legislature OF Ohio expressed what
i believe to be the sentiment Of the
people Of Ohio In a resolution asking
the senator to support the rate bill.
When the issue is whether he shall be
returned, it must be determined II this
is to be q representative form Of gov
eminent, not by the question whether
he has followed his conscience, but
by the question whether he really rep
resents the principles that has con
stituents desire supported and put in
to practice. The issue Is really whether
the Republicans of Ohio, therefore, as
the constituents of a: senator OF a
presidential candidate, support the pol.
icies maintained by the administration
or the opposition to those policies;
representing the policies Of the admin
istration, I cannot stultify myself by
acquiesence in any proposed compro.
mise which necessarily involves the
admission that the Republicans q
Ohio regard this fundamental differ
ence Of opinion as Of no importance
and one that can be waived in the in
terest Of party harmony or the settle
ment OF factional differences. There
is not the slightest doubt that the next
national convention Of the Republican
party will sustain in full the vital and
main principles maintained by Presi
dent Roosevelt and ask no expression
OF sympathy with the opposition rep
resented by Senator Foraker. Because
/ believe in these principles and be
cause in my judgment the Republi
cans OF the state and the nation arr
overwhelmingly in favor Of them
cannot favor any action by member
Of the committee who do me the homo
to support and wish to aid me, which
will have the appearance OF acquies
ence to the proposed compromise.
every sincerely yours,
".WILLIAM H. TAFT
Endorses Mr.. Taft.
II publish this letter without MI
Taft,s knowledge, because l feel it m!
duty to the public that his attitude
should be known. The man who unhes
itatingly resists temptation, who can
not be swerved by any consideration
OF personal interest from following tn,
course which his lofty conception Q
duty dictates to him, the man Whose
whole concern is for the welfare Q
the people, and who has proved in
lifetime OF diflcult and useful publ
service his extraordinary capacity q
an administrator. is surely the man 9
all others to be entrusted with thu
presidency. Mr.. Taft's candidacy !
not based upon large and vague prom
Uses, part OF which would be impossl
BILE Of achievement and part Of whicl
would be absolutely mischievous to thu
people OF the whole country. Il pu
into effect. His candidacy Is base
upon his great record Of actua
achievement, his great record Of SCI
vice to the public; upon his inflexibl'
adherence to the highest standards Q
righteousness, and upon his proye'
and absolute f~earlessness in relentless
" warning against evil wherever
may be found. I appeal to all goo'