The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-03-04
PRESlDENT-E TAFT WRITES
AN ESTIMATE OF HIS
PREDECESSOR.
IS VERY COMPL|MENTAR
Next President lndicts Lengthy Ar
tice Reviewing His Acquaintance
With Roosevelt and Describing the
characteristics and Good Qualities
of the "Strenuous" Executive.

New York, March S.-In its issue of
March 6, Golfers Weekly will publish
the following article by President
elect Taft under the caption, MY
Predecessor:
"Mr. Roosevelt and l came to know
each other when he was chairman of
the civil service commission and
was solicitor general in 1890 to 1892 in
Washington. We were both subordi-
mates in the Harrison administration.
We lived in the same part of Wash
ington, he on Nineteenth street, near
the British embassy, and I on Dupont
circle Our wives knew each other
we'll, and some of our children were
born about the same time.
1--WE found after discussion that we
agreed in quite marked way in our
views of proper political ideals and
proper political methods. We were
emphatic in the judgment that the
political reformer who was not will
ing to accept conditions as they were
the basis for his action, and to work
for the better things that were prac-
tical without achieving all that he
would like to achieve, was rather
hindrance than help to progress,
and merely assisted the permanent
control of the boss and the machine.
Moving Principle,
"This. think, has been the moving
principle of Mr.. Roosevelt's career.
He has believed in practical progress
and not 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 as changes came
in his career we carried on correspon-
dence, and as crises would arise he
would not infrequently write me to
secure my judgment on particular
situations.
mo one associates with Mr.. Roose.
welt closely without having the
strongest possible affection for him
His mind, his disposition and his tenn
perament 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 a con-
troversy and fight according to the
rules of the game, for he does. HI
UCllCNCS do oIAOh6iy oo Po'ioA> AA
team work, and never served under
any man, or hope to serve under an
other man so intensely loyal to tht
cause which we were both seeking tt
uphold and so generous in his accep
tance of the full responsibility for hi
subordinates in the work as Theodore
Roosevelt. That characteristic of hi
has been calculated to tie men to hin
with bonds of steel.
Marvellous Quickness.
"The general theory that Mr.. Roose
welt is of an exceedingly impulsiv
nature is, perhaps, justified to the ex
tent of saying that he had marvel
GUS quickness for experimenting
question and reaching the nub of II
and also an overwhelming desire t
decide and get rid of the issue pre-
sented as promptly as possible.
never knew a man who worked as ia
in advance of what was done an
who kept his engagements with ref
erence to what he had agreed to d
as providently as Mr.. Roosevelt. Per
haps I value this virtue more highl
because I lack it myself The resul
of quick decision and action Nigh
Roosevelt's career, If it had not bee
that he had been freer than most me
from that pride of opinion which pre-
vents many men from admitting the
errors, reversing their judgment an
changing their course. I have had
do with a number of presidents an
with a good many chiefs, and al
well within the truth when I say ths
xx,1A
presentation, would reverse himsel
as willingly and with as little trat
of obstinacy or unreasonableness E
Mr.. Roosevelt.
Close Relation.
"The relation between Mr.. Roos'
velt and myself has been one of clo'
intimacy. 1t has never been ruffle
in the slightest degree, and I do n
think that we have ever misunde
stood each other. Mr.. Roosevelt
tastes and mine have not been II
same. In the matter of athletics
takes to those games more viole
than I am suited to and more viole
than like. He has the strongest II
erary sense and power of apple
ton in reading current literature tn
to me is marvellous. He loves t
woods. he loves hunting, he loves Ii
akin to that of pioneer; don't.
Mr.. Roosevelt never had the ed
cation and practice Of a lawyer. II
intense desire to reach practical r
suits for good has made him at tim
impatient of the restraint Of lee
methods, while have been trained
lawyer and as Judge. and I am
strOn1lv imh,Ied with the neceSSi
for legal methods as II years on t
bench are likely to make one; a
vet in spite of this difference
temperament it is quite remarkal
to me- and we have frequently col