Bisbee daily review., 1909-02-28
THE FIRST LADY OF THE
 LAND, MRS. W. H. TAFT

large silver bowl which once graces the table of the Lord Mayor of London and which was presented to her b, fellow directors in the Association when she resigned, and another sisyel piece presented by the Association. members, bear testimony Co ther ap pneciation of the part she took ip tn, work, and arc among her most hiehly prfzed possessions.
 Mrs, Taft's practical nature has found ample opportunities fror dem onstration in the handling of the fam. fly income. The Tafts are not yer, wealthy Great as have been Mir. Taft's services to his country-on the bench. in the Philippines and in the cabinet-his income has never been proportionate 10 the office he filled. Deyoting his whole time and thoughts to his public work, he has had no op- portunity to accumulate more than a mere Income, with the result that his Vile has never known freedom from the necessity of making one dollar do the work of two But at all times she has practiced economy without au- preaching ''nearness," has always made a good appearance for herself and her children on a slender income and has never failed to secure the best advantages for her children. As every woman win appreciate, this sort or manage ment-espeeially in Wash ington with cabinet position to main tasn-has required the most pains taking thought. and she has always sought the markets personally as well as the shops to make her purchases
 Mrs. Taft is fond of outdoor ex ercise and enjoys an occasional horse back ride She has even made con, sidesable Journeys. where circunr stances required 1t, as in the Philip pines, on the back of a mule. But walking is her favorste exercise, and when she was in Washington sae often walked in the parks and sub urbs, usually accompanied by one oI mere of her children. At Murray Bay and other resorts she takes long tramps over the hills, returning with | less fatigue than would be experienced i by many women after covering hall the distance.
 As girl Mrs. Taft spent severa months visiting at the White House as the guest of Mrs. Hayes. She was , only le years old at the time, but so enjoyable was her visit that when she returned home she confided tC some of her girl friends her intention to marry only a man destined to Dc president of the United States"
 With the extensive travelling that she has done, with the opportunities afforded her as the wife of the man who has held q succession of com manding positions, each more con spienous in the public eye than the one preceding it, Mrs. Taft is singu lariy fitted to occupy the position which she is now called upon to. fill
 It must not be forgotten, too, that Mrs. Taft has already been the first lady Of the land" as wife of the gov. ernor general of the Phslippines-a Smaller land than the United States it is true, yet her position there was an exceedingly responsible one and difficult because of its uniQueness, re quiring her 10 deal with a people |, whom she did not know. strangers to her .n birth and in every taste, iu- stinct and desire, But throughout this trying experience she exhibited q tact and good judgment that did much to help her husband in his position So that, in a sense, Mrs. Taft is unique .n the distinction of being the first new presidents wife to enter the White House who has already been a first lady of the land"
 
 Having enjoyed from girlhood ssso citation with the brightest minds of her time-people wAo were more than in society'-and having shared w.th her husband the hospitality Of some of the most formal and ceremonfous courts in the old world. Mrs. Taft en ters the White House better equipped than most cf the women who have presided there and with a-.compiete sense of the eternal fitness 6FRhings ! In addition 10 familiarity with thJ usages of polite society sae enjoys a i knowledge Of precedence, 3 realiza , tion of the true value and neccssity of form, and an acquaintance with ceremOnious etiquette which wiu make her an invaluable helplnate to her husband
 It was often sad during the political campaign that William Howard Taff was practically educated for the presf dency of the United States, and that he would come to the position oi chief executive of the nation better fitted perhaps than any man who has ever preceded him in that office, and may not the same be sad of Mrs Taft as the mistress of the White House.