New-York tribune., 1909-03-04
TAFT ON ROOSEVELT
PresiGent-elect Says His Predecessor
Understands the Plain People.

In this weeks Golfers President-elect Tar
contributes an article Mr.. Roosevelt entitled
My Predecessor in which he says: "Mr
Roosevelt understands the plain people about a.
well as Lincoln did" Mr. Taft's article follows;
Mr.. Roosevelt and 1 came to know each Other
when ne was chairman OF the Civil Service Com
mission 1 was solicitor General in 1880 to
1897 in Washington. We were both supordi-
mates in the Harrison administration We lived
in the same part OF Washington he IN 18th
street, near the British Embassy, and on Du-
pOnt Circle. Our wives knew each other We'll.
and some OF our children were born about the
same time.
we found, after discussion, that we agreed
in quits marked way in our views OF proper
political ideals and proper political methods
We were emphatic in the Judgment that thu
political refoTmer who was not willing to accept
conditions as they were as the basis for his ac-
ton, and 70 work for better things that were
practical. without achieving all that he would
like to achieve, was rather a hindrance than
help to progress. and merely assisted the perna-
nent control OF the boss and the machine This,
think, has been the moving principls OF Mr.
Roosevelt's career. He has believed in pFacti-
cal progress and rot in ideals which make for
no real advancement.
After these two years I went upon the bench
and left Washington. and only occasionally met
him. though from time to time. changes came
in his career. we carried on a correspondence.
and crises would arise he would not infrs-
quently write me to secure my Judgment on par
ticular situations
No one associates with Mr. Roosevelt closely
without having the strongest possible affection
for him. His mind his disposition and his
temperament all OF that class that would
rather make him agree than disagree with the
people with whom he comes in contact But
this is not to say that he does not enjoy An
troversy and fight according to the rule#sof
the game. for he does. He believes as strongly.
possible in team work. and never served
under any other man. or hope to serve under
another man. intensely loyal to the cause
which were both seeking TO uphold and so
generous in his acceptance of the full responsi-
T-glsE Ill.,
dore Roosevelt never served under another
who was generous in his praise OF those who
worked with him and who willing 70
cord more than their deserts 10 the man who
shoulder to shoulder with him in the fight
That Characteristic Of his has been calculated
TO tie men 20 him with bonds Of steel
The general theory that Mr.. Roosevelt IS of
an exceedingly impulsive nature 10. perhaps. Jus
tined to the extent Of saying that has mar
vellous quckness for apprehending question
and reaching the nub Of IL. and almost an over
whelming desire 70 decide and get rid Of the
issue presented as promptly as possible. neyer
knew man who worked as far in advance OF
what was TO be done and who kept his engage
ments with reference TO what he had agreed 20
do as providently as Mr.. Roosevelt. Perhaps
value this virtue more highly because I lack 10
myself. The result Of quick decision and action
might have impaired the success OF Mr. Rooss-
velts career II IL had not been that he has been
freer than most men from that pride Of opinion
which prevents many men from admitting their
error, reversing their Judgment and changing
their course. I have had to do with number
OF Presidents and with good many chiefs, and
I am well within the truth when say that
never met a man who upon proper pTssenta-
ton. would reverse himself as willingly and With
as little trace Of obstinacy or unreasonabls1eSs
Mr.. Roosevelt.
The relation between Mr.. Roosevelt and nv
self has been one OF close and sweet tnttr1acv-
It has never been rufied in the slightest degree.
and do not think that we have ever misu1der-
stood each other Mr.. Roosevelt's tastes and
athletics he takes TO those games more violent
than am suited 70 and more violent than
like. He has the strongest literary sense and
power Of application in reading current Htera-
ture that 70 me is marvellous He loves the
woods; he loves hunting: he loves life akin 20
that Of the pioneer; he loves roughtng it. and
don't
Mr.. Roosevelt never had the education and
practice of lawyer. His intense desire 70
times impatient Of the restraint OF legal
methods. while have been trained as lawyer
and Judge. and am as strongly tnbued with
the necessity for legal methods as eleven years
on the bench are likely to make one: and yet. IN
spite Of this difference Of method ard difference
Of temperament II IS quite remarkable TO me-
each other. that we have been in agreement IN
our views to the results that ought to be OF
litical progress. 10 details. much more than
other men who have come into association with
both OF
Mr. Roosevelt's courage in the expression q
his convictions I need not dwell upon His
real. and what one might almost describe as af-
fectionate interest IN the welfare OF the poor
meet and who has the ODDS against him in
life's struggle and the sincerity Of his desire 20
help that class Of men. no one who ever had -
do with him could doubt: and his insistence has
always been that the difficulty between the Sc
called classes In the country AMI the failure Of
educated lawyers and political economists and
others to bring about proper relations between
the well-to-do and those who are dependent
upon wages for their living arise from an ab.
sence Of proper point OF view on the part ~
those who leading comfortable lives. The
confidence that the common. plain people. In
Guiding the wage earners. have had IN Thsodors
Roosevelt their representative and defender
has been most perfectly placed: for there never
was champion more sincere in support Of their
real interests. and vet there never was friend
franker in his statement 10 them OF the IN
pleasant truths that occasionally they ought 70
be told Mr. Roosevelt understands the plain
people about well Lincoln did. shares their
feelings and gives accurate expression to them
Hence his marvellous hold unon the great bodv
of the people. which has continued TO exist IN
undirninished strength in soite of the criticism
heard OF him and his methods in quarters more
conSricunus than really significant.
When the friction Of the last few months shall
he forgotten. when the rnis+s Of r1onentaTv trri
| tation shall have disappeared. the greatness ot
| Theodore Roosevelt President and leader ~
men IN of the great moral movements Of ths
countrys history will become clear ~ e-erv one
and he will teLe bis place In history vith Wash
! ington and Lincoln.
| TESTIMONY IN SUGAR CASE ALI, IN