Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-17
REFUSES TO PUNISH
President Will Not Dismiss for
Political Views.
REAPPOINTS D. NJ. LITTLE
Latter Had Announced That He
Would Support Roosevelt.
TAFT ANNOUNCES HIS POLICY
Adheres to Determination Not to
Begin a Campaign Of Per-
sonal Attack on Roosevelt.

President Taft today wrote Representa-
tive Gardner Of Massachusetts, a letter
that refutes the accusations that the
PRESIDENT and his supporters are using
federal patronage to bring about his nom-
ination at Chicago.
The President deliberately gives a
nomination for another term to an Office
holder who admits he is for Roosevelt
and wants the President to know this in
advance of the consideration of his name
for another term. The man in question
is David NJ. Little, collector Of customs
at Salem, lass. He asked Representative
Gardner to inform the President how he
stood as to Roosevelt. Mr.. Gardner did
this several days ago by letter, but today
called On the President to explain again
that Little was opposed to him.
President Announces Policy.
The President then dictated the follow
ing letter to Mr.. Gardner, who made it
public:
THE WHITE HOUSE. WASHINGTON,
April II, 1912.
My Dear Mr.. Gardner:
have your letter in respect to Mr..
David M. Little. AS I understand it. Mr..
Little has filled the off1ce Of collector of
customs at Salem. Mass. for eight years
satisfactorily to the public and the de-
partment. and you have recommended
aim for reappointment. as is the custom.
Mr.. Little Is now concerned with refer
ence to my appointing him because he
favors Col. Roosevelt for the presidency
and he has desired you to bring that mat
ter to my attention before / reappoint
him. II 1 desired to do so under the cir
cumstances. / think this shows on the
part Of Mr.. Little high-minded view Of
the situation, which I respect
AS matter Of fact. 1 sent Mr.. Little's
reappointment to the Senate yesterday
and would not think of recalling it. I
have removed no one in this compaign
because Of his political views. and do
not intend to begin to do so now.
The truth is, there has never been a
time, with which l am familiar, in the
history OF politics in this country when
ers, such as 1t is, has been so divided,
and at no time has the federal patronage
exercised less influence in the national
convention than 1t will in the one to be
held at Chicago. Sincerely yours.
Hon. A. p. Gardner,
House Of Representatives.
Gardner's Challenge Ignored.
Representative Gardner has had no re-
sponse from Col. Roosevelt to his chal-
lenge for q joint debate in Massachusetts,
on the issues Of the campaign. Mr..
Gardner has always been an ardent sup.
porter Of Col. Roosevelt, and had an
nounced his intention to stand again with
him this time. But when Col. Roosevelt
made his Columbus speech. Mr.. Gardner
baked. and now he Is openly against the
colonel. He has been looking for some
sort Of answer to his challenge, but the
long delay indicates that there will be no
answer.
President Not to Attack Roosevelt.
Another important phase OF the presi-
Dental nomination situation is that the
President. against the advice Of big
majority Of his intimate friends. has re-
fused to begin a campaign Of attack upon
Roosevelt personally. The President has
had much to irritate him in the speeches
made by Col. Roosevelt, and has felt
keenly the change that has come over his
former friend. but he has decided that
he will not indulge in abuse and person
alities.
The Presidents attitude is that he must
dent and must not descend to the meth
DDS of a candidate seeking Office. II he
were not President, he has intimated. he
would probably pursue different course.
In the view Of the President, there Is
vast difference between being in the
White House and out OF 1t. He believes
that no man holding the position Of chief
executive should indulge in personalities.
The fighting spirit of the Presidents
friends Is aroused. and they are disap-
pointed in his decision. They had hoped
he would proceed to adopt toward Col.
Roostselt the attitude the colonel has
taken toward the President. They still
believe he should do IL, and they will
continue to urge him to change his atti-
tude.