The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-22
ESTIMATES OF t. r.. AND TAFT.

| ESTIMATES OF t. II. AND TAFT.
! In one of his recent speeches in North
Dakota, Senator LaFollette save voice
to his opinion of Colonel Roosevelt in
the following words:
THE people of this country owe
| Theodore Roosevelt a debt of gratitude.
Mean and stingy, indeed. is the mind
that cannot credit him for what he has
done. Few presidents, none since Lin
coin, did more to set before the people,
right moral standards, particularly re-
garding the holding of public office
However, no one knew Roosevelt
better than he knew himself. He knew
he had no liking for the plodding re-
search and study necessary to master
these great economic problems.
At least one of the newspapers that
formerly supported the presidential as
pirations of LaFollette, but which has
since engaged space in the Roosevelt
band wagon. styles these remarks as
d mighty close estimate of Roosevelt
work for the country. But this newspa-
per and others, singing in the same
chorus, fail to call attention to fur
Their and most important fact in this
same connection. 1t is that four years
ago Mr. Roosevelt told the people of
the country that to his mind William
H Taft was better equipped in every
possible way to work out in practical
and effective manner the important
economic problems that had pressed to
the front and to which he had so point
edlv called attention than he was him
self.
In all probability, this statement of
Colonel Roosevelt's had as such to do
as any one thing in getting the Repuo-
Iicans of the land to accept President
Taft as their standard bearer. They
knew in a general way of the high and
diverse public service that Mr.. TAFT
had rendered to his country in a va
rietv of onerous and important posi- |
lions They also knew that Mr.. Roose- |
Welt had been in the best possible posi-
ton to form a correct estimate. of Mr.. |
Taft's capabilities. Therefore, when Mr. |
Roosevelt emphatically declared that
Mr.. Taft was better fitted by training
and temperament than he was himself |
TO work out the intricate governmental |
problems that had begun to demand
serious attention, the people were per-
fectly justified in taking him at his
word.
An honest review of the adm1nlstra-
ton of President Taft, and it's really |
BILE accOmpuSnnenlS, - PhoOA
positive that Mr. Roosevelt knew
whereof he was speaking when he set
the abilities of Mr.. Taft as an admin
Istrator higher than his own Nor have
the Republicans and the others OF the
country who voted for Mr.. Taft any
reason to regret that they accepted
Colonel Roosevelt's estimate of the
president. Taking his administration
as a whole, if Mr.. Taft has failed 20
make good as president, then no other
president ever did make good.
y is Mr.. Taft different as far as
MS high capabilities are concerned
han he was four years ago. except
hat his experiences in the presidential
chair have added materially to his
worth and strength as chief executive
If the highest order. He is now better
tilted to work away at a reasonable and
,roper solution of all the vexed 'ques-
ions of government than Colonel
Roosevelt said he was four years ago
n undertake the task.