Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-06-21
TAFT MAKES SPEECHES
At TWO QUAKER COLLEGES
Received Degree of Doctor of
Jurisprudence From the
Villa Nova College

| astern Pennsylvania today. He left
Washington at Z o'clock this morning and
returned to the White House shortly be-
fore 10 o'clock tonight He was on the
go all the time by regular train, special
train and automobile, made four speeches
and was thoroughly tired out, though ex-
pressing his appreciation at the reception
which was accorded him at every stop on
| the way.
The president spent three hours at VIII
| Ia Nova, Pa, where he received from
| st. Thomas college the degree of doctor
of Jurisprudence and where he delivered
an address in tribute to the work of the
Augustinian fathers in the Philippine is
lands and had something to say of the
Friar lands off those far-away island
| possessions. With his newest degree
added, the president is now A. B.,
L. l.. D.. D. e. L. and ]. d.
From Villa Nova the. president Journey
ed to West Chester, thence to the negro
institution at Lincoln university, Penn
syivania, and made his last speech of the
day from the car-end at Oxford.
TALKS "A LITTLE POLITICS."
In the midst of his journeyings, Mr..
Taft found time to talk little poll
tics" with Senator Penrose, whom he
summoned to his car at Philadelphia and
held in earnest conversation during the
half hour that it required to turn the
car around and make up the special to
Villa Nova The political situation in
Pennsylvania is somewhat acute and the
interview between the president and Sen
ator Penrose was regarded in Philadel-
phia as of significant Importance. Neither
would discuss what transpired but the
impression was gained that as matters
now stand none of Secretary Knox's COL
leagues in the cabinet have any idea that
he will resign his portfolio as head of the
state department to become the Repuo-
lican candidate for governor. The pres
ident is said to hold the same view.
Developments in the future may change
the situation but the opinion was con-
firmed in administration circles here to-
night that Mr.. Knox is to remain In tho
cabinet throughout the Taft administra-
tlon.
President Taft was accompanied dur
ing most of his Pennsylvania tour by
Governor Stuart, Representative Butler
and Secretary of Commerce and Labor
Nagel Mayor Reyburn, of Philadelphia
was with the party at Villa Nova and
Lincoln university. At the latter place
the president spoke briefly of the negro
educational problem, expressing his we'll
known views that it is along industrial
lines that the education of the race must
be largely developed If it is to prove
success.
LUNCHES WITH PRELATES.
The president was entertained at lunch
con by host of prelates of the Catholic
church at Villa Nova and met a number
of f,.{a RiSbnn Silva
Of Lisbon, Portugal. Archbishop Ryan
had a hearty greeting for Mr.. Taft. Il
am glad he said, Ito see you looking
so we'll after all your travels
Secretary Nagel, who walked in cap
and gown in the academic procession
with the president, also received a hood
at Villa Nova, carrying with it the de-
gree Of doctor OF laws
At West Chester the president was
taken for a 20 minutes automobile ride
through the crowded streets of the town.
. He stopped twice to speak briefly to
some school children. At Lincoln uni
versity President Taft was introduced by
President J. B. Kendall, who declared
that lone of Gods great blessings is that
he has given us man of calmness for
president" In his speech the president
paid a tribute to the work done at the
Hampton and Tuskeeee Institutes in the
south and referred to Booker T. Wash
ington as the greatest negro of the
country and one of the greatest men OF
the century,"
READS OF ROOSEVELT.
On the way to Washington tonight the
president read in the afternoon papers
with evident interest the details OF Mr..
Roosevelts reception in New York and
what he had to say in response to May
or Gayncrs greeting.
In his speech at Villa Nova the presi-
dent reviewed the history of the Philip
pines and Of the educational work of the
Augustinian Monks there aid told how
the Friar lands came to be purchased.
"Wher we reached the Philippines"
he said, tenants on these lands refused
to recognize the title of the Friars, al
though the title was the best title in the
islands. But under Aguinaldo's govern
ment they had done what other govern
ments sometimes do with the church,
am sorry to say-they had nationalized
the land. That means, they had taken IL
away from the orders and had appropri-
ated 1t to themselves. The moment we
re-established order and put in courts
1t became necessary for us to use the
strong arm of justice to re-establish the
Friars in the ownership to those lands
In the collection of rents from the ten
ants and in the establishment generally
of their rights OF property. But SO Dit
ter was the feeling that had we done 1t
we should have had upon us tho burden
OF eviction of upwards of $4,000 tenants
and that meant a second revolution.
TALKS OF SALE.
THE question was what we've we to-
do? We concluded that the Unly way
to- do was to buy those lands under a.
voluntary purchase
'"rhe authority to permit the sale
rested with the pope. Now the Ameri-
can way of dealing with that was to go
directly to the man and authority that
could act. But 1T ws- said 1t was
contrary to all our traditions to deal
automatically with the head OF al
church and therefore ii would not do.
Well, at last we reached tho concluI
sion that the best way was IL e direct
way, that we would send a man TOT
Rome to and If 1T could not be ar
ranged. And so l had the good fortune
an dthe unique experience. In company
with people who knew more tnan Il
did on all those subjects or going to-
Rome, Of being presented to lis holI
ness, Leo XIII, and of comforting with
MIN and his congregations in reference
to the working out of this problem. A.
shall always deem ii a great good for
tune that / had the honor OF coming