Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-08
A POOR POLITICIAN,
THURSTON CALLS TAFT
HaStens to Add He Is Most
Patriotic American
President.

That President Taft Is the poorest poll
tician. yet the most capable, earnest.
patriotic and conservative American who
ever sat in the White House. was the
ringing declaration OF former Senator
Thurston of Nebraska at the first club
night" Of the season at the National Re-
publican Club. 1347 Pennsylvania avenue
northwest. last evening. The declara-
ton was greeted with prolonged applause
from the audience that filed the assembly
hall and overlooked into the parlor and
the grill room.
1t was at the close of a spirited speech
that ended with the prediction that the
American people would forgive the poor
politicians and cast their votes for the
safe and sane American for their next
President.
Former Senator Scott of West Virginia.
who left sick bed to be present at the
function because OF his deep interest in
the success of the club. made an old
fashioned republican speech. He said he
was going home to be present at the
wind-up of the democratic party in West
Virginia.
West Virginia he said, was about to
come into her own, and the next election
would return republican governor. leg
islature and senator and would cast her
vote in the electoral college for a republic
can President.
He said the greatest need at the present
time was to have the politicians keep
quiet. and let business get to work. He
did not appear. he said, as a defender Of
trusts, but he did favor curling the bad
trusts and letting the good ones alone.
The latter. he declared. had reduced
prices the world over and furnished en-
ployment to thousands. enabling them to
make happy homes. Referring to the
Standard Oil Company, he recalled an
ing about in the heart of the Philippines
selling I'VE gallons Of kerosene oil for
$1.2S. When he was a boy, he said, he
had sold crude carbon oil in a grocery
| store at 40 cents gallon and refined oil
at 60 cents. This, he thought, showed
that even the Standard Oil Company de-
| served some consideration.
Representative Dyer OF Missouri also
ness.
| Edgar c. Snyder. president of the club.
opened the evening with outlining the
purposes Of the club.
1T is the earnest hope and desire OF
the organizers" he said, Ito bring to-
gether under its roof the rank and fise OF
the republicans of the District of
Columbia as well as of those who
| live elsewhere that the club may
be a truly representative national re-
publican club. with representatives from
every part of the Union sufficiently strong
| to establish its national character. and
yet furnish club home for even the
humblest employe of the government de-
partments. who could not afford to unite
with more expensive organization. II
has splendidly succeeded thus far, but il
still needs the support Of those of re-
publican belief who are outside the fold. y
Col. John G. Capers, chairman of the
board of governors, was introduced and
after a lively address of welcome presid-
ed over the function for the remainder OF
| the evening.
The program included tenor solos by
r. Walter Power, a Shakespearean reci-
tation by Talbot 0. PuliZzi, Arthur But
Ter Pierce in coon songs. w. s. Shelby
| in dramatic selections and singing by the
National Republican Club quartet. A
| buffet luncheon was served. Warren J.
Coffin was chairman Of the entertainment,
committee.