The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-07
7. R. is FOR TAFT.
The Colonel Will Help the Pres
ident All He Can
To Secure a Nomination and Re-
election Next Year.
FIRST HE SENT WORD
And Later CIinched the Promise
at Baltimore.
Gibbons Jubilee Turned Into a
Ranuhlican 1--we Feast
FIRST HE SENT WORD

w aSnlnSIOn, June I. 1I6SlQSAI
Taft in his candidacy for the presi-
Dental nomination in 1912, Will re-
ceive the unqualified endorsement of
former President Theodore Roosevelt,
which will be uttered just as cordially
as 1t was prior to the campaign of
1908. This is the best political news
Mr.. Taft has received in many months
and it comes to him in manner that
leaves no doubt as to its authenticity.
The information that Colonel Roose-
Telt under no circumstances, will al
low his own name to be presented to
the Republican national convention,
was conveyed to the White House
several days 9, ago: nj That Colonel
ton should be continued. was
brought out plainly as the result of
cordial greeting between the two men
at the Cardinal Gibbons jubilee in Bal
timore.
Whether the Roosevelt approval Of
Mr.. Taft's candidacy will go far
enough to take the former president
into the campaign as an active stump
speaker is problematical, but that the
force of his personality will be with the
president is assured. This fact is not
expected to prove pleasing to Re
publicans who have made no secret of
their desire to bring Colonel Roosevelt
forward as a formidable rival for the
1912 nomination.
Many of these Republicans no doubt
will refuse to abandon hope until
Colonel Roosevelt himself in quoted
statement announces his position and
thus breaks the silence concerning the
administration which he has main
tanned since landing in New York from
his African hunt.
The information that Colonel Roose-
welt will be found aligned with the
president rather than against him
was brought directly to Mr.. Taft
from Mr.. Roosevelt by mutual friend
high in official life, who was con-
y0If Il
Taft administrations in a capacity
that enabled him to gain and retain
the confidence, in fact the warm per-
'sonaI friendship of both men.
The Baltimore Meeting.
The meeting at Baltimore between
the president and Mr.. Roosevelt was
only incidental to the celebration of
the Cardinal Gibbons jubilee, but it
was an incident that awakened the
political interest of the senators and
congressman and others in official
life who saw the two men together.
They met in the reception room in
the Fifth regiment armory, where
the jubilee celebration was held. They
talked together there for ten minutes.
They shook hands with old friends
just as they used to do when Mr..
Roosevelt was in the White House
and Mr.. Taft was secretary of war.
They carried the spirit of friendship
by side, they converSed in undertones
through much of the afternoon.
Mr.. Roosevelt was glad also to see
Uncle Joe Cannon. He shook hands
man. He expressed the greatest
pleasure at seeing Senator Penrose,
and, of course, Senators Root and
Lodge, both old friends, came in for
the old-time affectionate greetings. AL
together, the scene resembled Re
publican love feast
Mr.. Roosevelt reached Baltimore
before the president and was waiting
for him at the armory.
the high pitched voice Washington
used to know so well. I'm so glad
to see you. I want to inquire about
Mrs. Taft
Hello, Theodore" replied the presi-
dent. "How are your"
where's ARCHER" inquired the col
onel a minute later, looking around
for Major A. w. Butt, who was his
personal aide in his White House days
| and who is now aide to Mr.. Taft.
In Private Conversation.
After he had spoken to Senator
Root, been introduced to Secretary
| Hilles and said some nice things about
everybody in the party, he was taken
| aside by the president. The two men
| beyond the ear range of any other
person. Afterwards it was said they
talked about Mrs. Taft's health The
president invited the colonel to come
to Washington on June 10 to be his
guest at his silver wedding annivers-
airy. Mr.. Roosevelt said he would try
| to manage it.
When the score or more of senators
and congressman entered the recep-
ton room the conference was over.
Although some of the men in the
crowd were never classed as his friends
| in the old days he was ready for
them all.
For Chief Justice White, Mr.. Roose-
velt had an especially cordial word.
| 1t was the first time he had seen the
chief justice since his elevation to that
| position. Afterward they talked in
| low tones on the platform.
AS he had to return Immediately to
| New York from Baltimore. Mr.. Rocse-
Welt declined an invitation to be the
presidents guest over night. The
president arrived in Washington at Z
| O'Clock.
After the meeting broke up both
men walked over to congratulate Car
| dinal Gibbons. After he had shaken
| the priests hand, the president put
| out his hand to the colonel.
| Goodbye. Theodore" said he Then
he leaned forward on Mr.. Roosevelt
shoulder and whispered something.