The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-05-06
President Taft Discusses
Cant of DemagOgueS.
DEFENDS HIS APPOINTMENTS.
Chief Executive EnliVens Gathering of
ST. Louis Business Men With Wig
orous Speech--Will Confer With
Republican Leaders.

ST. Louis. May 5.-After winding up
his stay here with a remarkable speech
in which be denounced "demagOgues
and preachers of cant" who have trou-
bled him, President Taft left St Louis
early this morning for Washington,
where he will confer with Republican
leaders concerning the situation in
congress and particularly the probable
fate of the railroad bill. before resum-
ing his journey eastward.
Information from Washington that
forty-three senators had decided to
stand by the railroad bill as ii is, with
the pooling and merger provisions out,
reached President Taft before his de-
parture. The president was greatly
encouraged by the news and hoped
that the bill may now go through. He
believes, it was said, that with changes
already made many senators who here
tofOre opposed the measure may fall
into line.
AS to the possibility of veto, the
president would not talk, preferring to
return to Washington before he dis
cussed that question.
1t is not believed. however, that the
president will use the veto power. 1t
is possible that he will come out with
a strong statement fixing the blame If
the bill passes in emasculated shape.
President Taft denounced the dema
gogues, the preachers of cant and
those who see only evil and delay in
the courts of the nation in his speech
before the Business Mems league at
the Southern hotel. The president
spoke with an earnestness with such
emphasis and vigor, that his audience
was quite carried away.
His defense of the supreme court
and of his own appointments to that
court was delivered in tones that rang
with emotion.
During most of the speech the presi-
dent gesticulated little, but his face
grew red as he recited the tale of criti-
cism that has in some parts of the ma
tion greeted his selections to the great
tribunal. All the way through the
speech his hearers broke in with pro-
lOnged applause, and at the end, when
Mr. Taft wound up all that serious ad-
dress with brief discourse on base
ball, the crowd beat the tables and
cheered loudly.
The president hadn't intended to
make serious address at all, but
when President Wilson of the league
referred to the appointment of Judge
Horace Lurton and Governor Hughes
to the supreme court Mr. Taft found a
h., %
than the two minutes he expected to
take
While the presidents only reference
to the insurgents" was in one of the
moments when he smiled, it was evi
dent that he had in mind the utter
ances from his "enemies" in the sen,
ate and house against his two supreme
court selections. Not only did he de
fend the supreme court, but he declar
cd, too, that contention that the abil
ity should be given the poor man tC
take his case. even if 1t involves but
S25, up to that tribunal is the windy
talk of the demagogue and politician
against the laws delay. Mr.. Taft alsC
was fiat footed in his assertion thai
court procedure be changed to expe
dite the business of litigants.
Passaic, n. j., May 5.-In anticipa
tion of the visit of President Taft
who is TO be the guest of honor at tn,
board of trade dinner, Passalc is don
ming gala attire. Already many publ,
and private buildings are decorated
with flags and bunting, while grea
streamers are being stretched acrOs
the main street, through which tn
president is to be escorted from tn
railroad station TO the banquet hall.