Semi-weekly herald., 1909-03-11
PRESIDENTS TRAINING
FOR THAT OFFICE

FOR THAT OFFICE
Few presidents have had as large
an equipment for their post as the
man has who who will enter office
next Thursday. A graduate of Yale
ana also of a law school he held
several local posts, was reporter for
Two newspapers, a prosecuting attor.
hey FOR his county, collector of
internal revenue, judge of the su.
perior court of Ohio. a solicitor gen.
etal of the United States, a United
states circuit judge, president of the
United States Philippine commission
the first United States civil governor
OF the Philippines. and a secretary of
war In the prosecution of his duties
In the three last-named posts, he has
made circuit of the globe several
lines, has been a direct practical
force in the management of affairs In
Panama, and also in the republic of
Cuba, and while in the Philippines
aided In solving several problems
which had troubled Spain and the FIJI
pinos during many years of Spain's
ascendancy in the islands One OF the
questions which he dealt with was
that OF the dispute between the is
landers and the religious orders, and
he did this so satisfactorily to all
parties concerned that he received the
thanks of the religious orders, of the
Filipinos and of Pope Plus X.
Mr. Taft has met more of the great
personaEes 9f thf hfeSTlsa w9Tla & tb'G taking OF
fee, and more than any of them did
during their official career, except
Grant and Roosevelt. During his con
nection with the executive branch OF
the United States government for five
sorts and conditions of men, at home
and abroad His training for the Of
ice, which he entered few days ago,
has been varied and thorough. Even
according to the early standards. Mr.
Taft would have received credentials
OF fitness, except that he has never
served in the legislative department
OF the government, and was never
chosen to any elective post under the
national authority until he was elected
to the presidency. The popular plu-
rality which he received for that post
was the largest ever given to any
candidate, except for Roosevelt In
1904. 1t was 1898 900. as compared
WITH 2.545,000 for Roosevelt, AS his
opponent was one OF the most popular
men who ever aspired to the presi-
dency, Taft's margin was a particular
" striking tribute.
Until Jackson's accession to office
all the country's presidents were men
who had large experience in national
affairs. All had served in the law
making branch of the government.
Some Of them were in the judiciary
also, and several were In the diplo-
matte service. The first president,
Washington, was the largest person
. age huDH Alhtilta hdo ~
Richard Henry Lees tribute to him
as first in war. first in peace and
first in the hearts of his countrymen'
was much more than rhetorical fig
ure. It was a truth which everybody
in his day conceded, and which the
later generations of Americans real
ize. During his life he was acclaimed
as the eountry's leading citizen. He
was the supreme figure In two grea
crises, one military and the othel
o civil. AS the commander OF the Amer
4 lean armies In the war OF independ
9 ence, he was the soul OF the patrio
cause. One British historian describe
h the situation correctly by saying tina
G had Il not been for Wasbington's pa
tience, sagacity. military skill and In
fluence, the American cause woul
have been ten times lost. He was sir
gled out by the unanimous voice q
the country for president, after havin
led the country's armies to victor
, in the war Of separation from Eni
y land, and after having presided owe
the convention which framed the cha
ter for the new government He WI
averse to taking office, but his du'
y to his country constrained him
b accept Then when he wanted to r
VI tire at the end Of his first term u
DC solicitations OF the leaders of bo
CT parties induced him to accept Sc
Us ond election. in each Of which
. was the unanimous choice Of the cou
nc try No pressure could induce hi
ne TO remain in office longer. and his =
ts ample was the basis of the unwritt
It's