The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-03-11
TAFT'S OPINION
Of THEODORE ROOSEVELT
He Says That To Know Him Is To
Love Him.

" published the following by President
elect Taft under the caption "My Pre-
decessor'':
/ Mr.. Roosevelt and | came to know
each other when he was chairman of
the Civil Service Commission and was
Solicitor General in 1890 to 1899, in
/ Washington. We were both subord-
mates in the Harrison administration.
We lived in the same part Of Washing
! ton, he on Nineteenth street near the
/ British Embassy, and | on Dupont Cir
Gle. Our wives knew each other we'll,
and some of our children We're born
about the same time.
We found, after discussion, that we
agreed in quite a marked way in our
views Of proper political ideals and
proper political methods. We were as
emphatic in the judgment that the po-
litical reformer who was not willing to
accept conditions as they were as the
basis for his action and to work for
the better things that were practical,
without achieving all that he would
like to achieve, was rather a hindrance
than help to progress. and merely as
sisted the permanent control Of the boss
and the machine. This, | think had
been the moving principle of Mr.. Roose-
velt's career. He has believed in prac-
teal progress and not in ideals which
make for no r, al advancement.
No one associates with Mr.. Roosevelt
closely without having the strongest af-
lection for him. His mind, his DISPOSE
ton and his temperament are 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 con-
troversy and fight according to the
rules of the game, for he does.
He believes as strongly as possible in
team work, and Inever served any man,
or hope to serve under another man, so
intensely loyal to the cause which we
were both seeking, to uphold and so
generous to in his acceptance of the full
responsibility for his subordnates in
the work as Theodore Roosevelt. |
never served under another who was as
generous in his praise of these who
worked with him and who was as will
ing to accord more than their deserts to
the men who were shoulder to shoulder
with him in the fight.
That characteristic of his tas been
calculated to tie men to him with bonds
of steel
The general theory that Mr.. Roose-
welt is of exceedingly impulsiye nature
Is perhaps justified to the extent of say
ing that he has marvellous quickness
for approaching a question and reaching
the nub of it and almost an overwhelm-
ing desire to decide and get rid of the
issue presented as promptly as possible
never knew man who worked as far
in advance of what was to be done and
who kept his engagements with refer
ence to what he had agreed to do as
providently as Mr.. Roosevelt. Perhaps
value this virtue more highly because
lack it myself.
The result of quick decision and &C
ton might have impaired the success of
Mr.. Roosevelt's career if it 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 have had
to do with a number of presidents and
with good many chiefs, and am we'll
within the truth when | say that |
never met man who, upon proper pre-
sentatlon, would reverse himself and
with as little trace of obstinacy or un-
reasonableness as Mr.. Roosevelt
The relation between Mr.. Roosevelt
and myself has been one of close anc
sweet intimacy. 1t has never been
ruffled in the slightest degree, and dc
not think that we have ever misunder.
stood each other Mr.. Roosevelt
tastes and mine have not been the same.
In the matter of athletics he takes tc
those games more violent than am suit.
ed to and more violent than like. He
has the strongest literary sense and q
power of application in reading current
literature that to me is marvellous. He
loves the woods; he loves hunting; he
loves life akin to that of the pioneer
he loves roughing it, and don't
Mr.. Roosevelt never had the educa
ton and practice of lawyer His in
tense desire to reach practical results
for good has made him at times impa
tient of the restraint of legal methods
while | have been trained as lawyer
and judge and am strongly imbueC
with the necessity for legal method.
as IL years on the bench are likely t
make one; and yet, in spite of this diff
feranca of methnd and diffaranca n.