Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1911-09-23
TAFT HTS SNAC ~.
IN ILLINOIS
MAKES DETERMINED APPEAL TO
PARRY LEADERS AND ADMITS
SOME MISTAKES.
DROPS RECIPROCITY
nefcnds His Tariff Netoes and Urges
the People 10 Consider Twice
Before Censuring Him.

Peoria, HI, Sept D.. -president
Taft hurled himself with all his vigol
into the 1912 campaign here today
man and bound to pursue the hall
path between the progressive and re-
trograde element. Dropping Rccipro-
city as an issue of his campaign, an
issue upon which he had counted be-
fore the defeat in Canada to Off set
the sentiment against his veto of the
Tariff measures, the president took
up a vigorous defense Of his admin
istration.
He allowed it to be known that
from now on he will appeal to the
people to use the second sober
thought" in considering his acts in
office. The president advcrted to his
disappointment over the rejection of
his efforts at Reciprocity and then
tucked Reciprocity away.
Mr.. Taft will go before the people
now on his Tariff vetoes. Maintain
ing that the party which elected him
expected him to obtain accurate in
formation upon the industrial situa
ton with respect to the tariff to be
fixed before urging any legislation,
in using the veto the president in
simulated he merely fulfilled an Obli-
cation placed upon him before cleo
ton by the party convention.
Mr.. Taft, with trembling voice re-
marked that he would have done the
same thing UNDER any condition if it
had cost him his life He became
deeply serious in discussing the vetoes
and once 1t looked as though the
president in his severe effort to con-
vince the country Of his right intent
ion would give way to his over
wrought emotion.
The president, with tone of re-
greet, admitted that he had mistakes
but he strongly insisted that he had
tried to steer the right course. He
wanted the people to consider the
explanation of his acts of admins
tration before condemning him. AL
though in fighting mood, the Presi-
dents attitude was one OF apology.
Mr.. Taft made his speeches of appeal
at his luncheon at the country club,
attended by Republican leaders. With
the state torn by rival factions In
the party the President was some
what in doubt as to his prospects in
Illinois. While he came here osteflsi-
bly, to be the guests of the Knights
of Columbus, it was soon apparent
that he was keenly sensitive to the
political aspect and that he did not,
propose to leave until he had tried
to strengthen his own position. H.
linois, the President learned, has not
been any too keen over his Tariff
course. While support had been
given him in his Reciprocity CAM
paign by the two senator's of the
state, Cullom and Lorimer, and the
for the most part we're
with him, there had sprung UP in
the manufacturing centers a sentk
ment Of opposition.
Before the luncheon the President
conferred with Senator Cullom, Con-
gresham Prince and others who had
figured in the Reciprocity fight and
was urged to come out with strong
defense Of his administration. Even
If his campaign issue has to be
negative defense of his vetoes, they
told him. 1t was essential to square,
~ put himself on record. The Pres
ldent found that State Senator Jones,
a Progressive of the LaFollette type
and candidate for governor on the
Progressive platform with the initia-
tive, referendum and direct election
Of senator's as as issue, had
been making dent in the
Republican strength. Jones did
not appear at the luncheon and none
Of the Jones supporters were in
evidence. The Deneen faction was
represented by Lieutenant Governor
Ogresby while ! the antisDeneen fac
ton had f. w. chipperfield. floor
leader. in the assembly.
Before Mr.. Taft spoke. various po-
litical leaders and. spirited speakers