Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-05-31

and a reputation Of President Taft
and his capable administration. Has
opposed it, further, because we be-
Iieve in square deal and fealty to
friends and sacred pledges. Mr..
Roosevelt has ridden rough shod over
! the most sacred beliefs of large
number of the American people. He
has absolutely no regard for those
who, while they have in the past ad-
mired him, and have been his warm
est supporters, still cling to the ideas
handed down to them by their fore
bears. Call them standpatters, If
you will, designate them by any name
| you see fit, 1t is nevertheless fact
that those who have opposed Roose-
welt in this battle, have behind them
the established customs of more than
hundred years of American inde-
pendence. They have refused to be
swayed or Influenced by the bombas-
tic utterances of one of the greatest
| egotists that ever occupied the public
eye in this country. Mr.. Roosevelt's
attempts to gather support by some
of the most f1imsy arguments, coup
led with abuse of his opponents, have
found in them no espousing tongue.
They have opposed him honestly,
openly, fearlessly, and now they are
ready to take their medicine, if they
must
Mr.. Roosevelt has made his cam
paign solely upon the cry of down
with the BOSSES" He has charged
by the bosses, and by ''the interests"
and by everything else which he has
declared dishonorable and unjust
Where a man has supported Roose-
welt he has been designated as a pa
triot and a friend of the common
people" but when he has seen fit to
oppose him, he then becomes a spec
ial champion Of the Interests" A
millionaire steel magnate who con-
tributes to Roosevelt's campaign, and
openly works for his success, is a
loyal champion of the people" but,
if he happens to support Mr. Taft
he is at once designated as "a boss.
Speaking of bosses, history does
not reveal greater or more absolute
boss than Mr. Roosevelt. He brooks
no interference, accepts no advice,
gives no quarter. During his admin
istration he was the most absolute
despot that ever occupied the highest
position in the gift of the American
people. He possesses in his makeup
all the qualities of a cZar, and his
ambition now appears to be to eXer-
else those qualities as president of
the United States. He prates of
bosses and trusts, yet the seven and
one-half years of his administration
fails to reveal many instances where
he attacked the trusts although the
existence was well-known. President
Taft has done more in two years in
the line of trust busting that Roose-
welt accomplished, or even attempt
ed, during his entire administration.
When some shortcoming of the
Roosevelt administration is pointed
out the former president declares
that Secretary Taft agreed to it,"
He does not attempt to defend or
explain, he simply charges Taft with
being a fellow conspirator
Nevertheless and Notwithstanding |
Roosevelt has ridden a popular hob |
by in this conflict. He has thrown I.
caution, precedent and established |
custom to the winds. He has de- /
scended to the mire of abuse and /
mudslinging to gain the exalted and /
dignified office of president. He has /
maligned and assaulted the leaders of |
his party. He has insistently and |
continually played the part of the |
ward politician and if he shall sue
ceed at Chicago. it viii be because
he has bluffed the Republican party
to a standstill.