The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-04-12
BY gibson GARDNER.

III. Taft has entered upon the
second month of his presidency
The first month, summed up, has
been big with promise for some
and filled with bitter disappoint
ment for others.
During the month Taft has lost
the confidence of Roosevelt and of
the loyal Roosevelt following.
Losing that, he has lost what
made him president.
1t was upon the Roosevelt guar.
antee that the people of the coun-
try accepted Taft. 1t was Roose.
velt's judgment that Taft was the
best man to carry out the Roose
welt policies that made the nomina
ton of Taft possible.
Since November 9 the policy and
conduct of Taft have been one un
broken series of shocks to Roose
welt and the Roosevelt legions-the
men trained in the tactics of my
policies"
Taft's appointments and his poll
cies-his cabinet and his officia
acts-and incidentally his affilia
tions, political, personal and legis
lative. have compelled the Roose
welt following and Endorsement tc
be withdrawn.
In making this statement l de
not assume to speak for Mr.. Roose
Gelt. l do not speak from any in
side knowledge as to Mr.. RoOse
velts views. l speak for myself
what 1 believe or know to be facts
Had Country Known
Had it been known year age
what appointments Taft would
make and what policies he would
pursue, he never would have receiv
ed the republican nomination ant
never would have been elected
president"
In substantially these words the
New York Evening Post has stated
editorially. a thought which has
lain unspoken in many minds.
Such are the facts. Had Roose
welt known, or for one moment
suspected, what would be the gen
eral line of action followed by the
present occupant of the White
House, he would have thrown his
influence to Hughes or to La Fol
lette sooner than assist Taft to the
presidency.
Taft has been a bitter disappoint.
ment And to none has the cup
been more bitter than to the man
who seleced Taft to carry on the
policies which have become asso'
ciated with the name of Roosevelt
The Taft administration is re
dictionary"
To prevent the substitution OF
'reactionary" for progressive" pol
icies was the one chief aim OF
Roosevelt.
The Taft administration is domi
mated by the big business inter
ests. 1t was to keep the national
government true to the best inter
ess of the people as distinguished
from the privileged classes that
Roosevelt used his influence In
naming his successor.
From the very beginning the Taft
administration has given constant
comfort to he enemies of Roose
welt; that comfort may be seen In
ttttt ttttt t-mwit,, .tokiwhatbttttttnr
tangible form every day. Hartman
has won. Rockefeller has won
Morgan has won.
AS an earnest to Morgan, Taft
appointed as attorney general, tC
administer the laws, Morgan's per
sonal attorney. George c. Wicker
sham.
AS an earnest to Rockefeller
Taft appointed Charles Nagel, at
torney for the Waters-Pierct
(StandardD Oil Co.. as head of the
department in which is located the
bureau of corporations.
All Others Satisfactory
For the other members Of his
cabinet Taft has selected men en-
tirely satisfactory to the influences
which controlled the appointments
already named. With these ap
pointments safe, the vested priv
iege was Indifferent.
The machinery of government
which handles prosecutions is the
thing that counted most.
OF this, Wall street influence Is
once more in control.
Il. IL. Hartman Endorses Taft
He has stated publicly that he
hopes for eight years of the pres
ent administration.
So does Nelson w. Aldrich.
So does Joseph G. Cannon.
SO do Bellamy and Maria Storer
so do b. r. Tillman, Joseph
Bailey, Senator Penrose and many
others. 20"
1t is interesting to note that the
line of approval and Endorsement
is not a party line. No more than
was the line with respect to Roose-
welt.
The former president numbered
hia hoct friandc oncnu tho darn,