Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-23

concerning the press made in a recent
speech IN chicago. He explained mis-
attitude, after John A Hennessy. nres.
idtnt of the club. had remarked in n
speech that he did not agree with the
Presidents views. Then Mr.. Taft said.
Reference has been made by vonr
chalri"an, Mr.. Hennessy. to a speech I
made before the Chicago Press Club. 7
didn't know exactly what kind of n
speech ! was going 10 make there any
more than | do now, but the chairman
of the Chicago Club whispered to me
as | got up 10 speak. They want To
hear about the press, 50 roast them
And / am bound to say that the task
WAS not 50 difficult
II his being President of the United
States present a great many sensa-
TONS to one who came into the office
under the conditions that surrounded
my coming III. | had been on the
bench for II years, and / think the
bench is the only place in the country.
in the United States at leaSt-that Is
free from severe criticism by the press.
Ard having had that sort of training
it is little hard for me to get used to
any other kind of treatment. | am he
ing educated, but there are times at
the White House when one is exercis-
ing what is supposed to be the power
of the Presidency when one gets really
very discouraged.
Things didn't go right. Your motives
are misconstrued and then you take a
long walk and you say to yourself: There
is one thing, anyhow-they cannot deprive
your children and your desce ndants of
having your picture on the walls of the
White House paid for by Congress. And
then you go home, and you look at the
picture of Teddy and the picture of Gro
yer Cleveland, and of Abraham Lincoln,
and the others you have there, and you
come to the conclusion that even that
ism a consolation.
But the truth is that these sensations
that a man has, under the pressure OF
which he expresses himself with consider
able heat, pass.
After all, everybody wants to be
square
Mr. Taft paid "a compliment to the
newspaper men who travel with him
wherever he goes. This brought him nat
cling.
This travelling business, l believe" he
said, has been made the subject of some
criticism. Well, l am a traveller. l got
into the Presidency by travelling, and I
can't get over the habit. When you are
being hammered, as sometimes / have
been in Washington. not only by the
press but by members of your own party
in Washington, and one feels that there
isn't anything quite right that he can
do, the pleasure of going out into the
country, of going into a city that hasnt
seen a President for 20 years, and then
makes a fuss over him in order to prove
to him that there is somebody that
doesn't know of his defects. is a pleas
ure that 1 don't like to forego.'
Although the assemblage at the Press
Club sang in chorus to the tune of "Old
Uncle Ned" a parody describing the re-
cent events in the House of Representa-
tives, President Taft made no references
to the Cannon episode in his speech. lie
beamed genially, however. and nodded his
head when the crowd sang this chorus:
Hang up the gavel and cigar, cigar,
There is trouble and woe for poor Uncle
Joe,
Cause he went just a little too far"
1t was certainly a strenuous day that
the President spent in New York. He was
pursued for mile through Central PARK
by bicycle policeman seeking speed lin
it violators; his automobile led the fast-
est race through Fifth avenue and con-
gested Broadway that the natives nave
witnessed in many day; he lectnred an
assemblage of editors at luncheon at tine
residence of llenry Clews, the New YORK
banker; he discussed the Far Eastern
situation with former Vice President
Fairbanks. conferred with county politl'
cal leaders briefy-all this besides the
Press Club reception and the two BAN
quets which he attended tonight