Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-10-29
ROOT ON THE SITUATION.

continues to make as good PreSl-
dent as he is making now, he will be
| the natural and inevitable choice OF
| his party in 1912 unless one thing
happens-that the people of the United
States shall repudiate the administra-
| ton of Mr.. Taft by such Il crushing
and overwhelming defeat of his party
| that it will be apparent that Mr. Taft
cannot be reelected
This was the statement made to-
night by United States Senator Elihu
Root in a speech at Manhattan Casino.
1t was his first speech since the Sara
toga convention and it had been hint
ed that he would have something to
say about questions of the Republican
party's national policy involved in the
New York state campaign.
Mr.. Root addressed himself particu-
larly to those Republicans who might
stand willing to vote against the Re-
publican gubernatorial candidate for
the sake of rebulling Theodore RoOse-
welt and declared Republican defeat
in the state this fall would be even
more of q blow to the present national
administration than to Col. Roosevelt.
In fact he said, Democratic victory
in New York would more likely turn
he next national convention away
from national administration which
could not hold its party together and
toward Mr.. Roosevelt or ITO one Of the
far more radical leaders who are now
looming upon the political horizon in
the North and Middle West
Contrary to some expectations Sen
ator Root brought no direct pledge
from Col. Roosevelt regarding his at
| titude toward the nomination in 1912.
He ridiculed the issue of the New
nationalism" as interpreted by the
Democratic platform, warmly praised
Col. Roosevelt for his defeat of the
"Old Guard" attacked Tammany Hall
and warned voters of the danger OF
putting the offices of state comptroller
and state engineer in Tammany's
power. He commended Mr.. Stimson's
services IN the sugar trust proSecu-
ton and called attention to the fact
| that the Standard Wall Paper Co, of
which Mr.. Dix is director asked Con-
gress to raise the tariff on wall paper.
"A good many Republicans at this
time said Senator Root, Seemed dis
posed to ignore all the grave and sub
stantial issues which are before the
people of this state and to vote at
| the coming election upon no issue
whatever but simply as an expression
| OF feeling against Mr.. Roosevelt whose
| course regarding national affairs, they
| disapproVe for one reason or another
| and whom they desire to punish by
| defeating the party to which they
| belong, in which they believe, and
| which they have long Loyalty sup
| ported because he holds distinguished
| and potent place in the councils and
| activities of the party.
| 1T should be observed that the de-
! claration of this intention cuts both
| ways. Wherever a man declares he
will vote against the Republican ticket
| because he does not like Roosevelt and
| because they feel that with his ire
| mandous force and courage and ability
he has done a noble and much needed
work for honesty, purity. equality and
| freedom in the political life of our
| country. My guess would be that
if the issues in this state We're whether
/ Mr. Roosevelt has reflected credit and
| honor. on the Republican party in
our state and on our country or the
| contrary. there would be a very large
majority in the affirmative. l am
not, however, going to discuss that
question CT 20 discuss him, for there
| is no such issue before the people of
this state. The false assumption that
| there is such an issue tends to take
away from the cause of honest and
effective and progressively improving
| government in the state many of the
| ;ol, hot &c. ON
| titled, and among them some Of my
| old and valued friends.
| 1T is said that we must consider
now the nomination for the Presidency
in 1912 Well, Mr. Taft is President of
| the United States; a Republican. a
| strong wise, considerate and fearless
man. He has the qualities which
make a man grow in the estimation Of
thoughtful people, and lying back of
all the clamor and excitement of our
political life. the American people
are thoughtful people. He has
grown and is growing and will con-
| tlnue to grow in public esteem. If
| he continues to make as good a Pres
ident as he is making now, he will be
| the natural and inevitable candidate
of his party in 1912 unless one thing
shall happen--That the people of the
Uritnd States shall repudiate the ad
ministration of Mr.. Taft by such a
crushing and overwhelming defeat Of
| his party that it will be apparent
that Mr.. Taft cannot be reelected
The Democratic party cannot bring
about such result, but the Repub-
licans can by their adverse votes.
"After election people don't srutin-
iZe the multitude of reasons which
may have contributed to the result.
| Continued on Page Twelve.)