The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-11
Lays Claim to Being the Real
Progressive Candidate.
GIVES A new DEFINITION
Not of Those Who Look to So
ciaIiSm for Relief.
Made Six Speeches in One Day
in Chicago.

Chicago, March 11.-President VII
liam H. Taft proclaimed his right to
be numbered among the exponents of
progressive government in a speech dc
livered at a banquet of the Swedish
American Republican league at the
Congress hotel Saturday night.
The president had on his fighting
clothes. He emphasized his declarations
in a manner that brought his hearers
frequently to their feet.
He gave a new definition of ''politi-
cal progressive" eliminating as real
progressives those who look to social
ism for relief from present-day evils
in government"
He praised ex-President Roosevelt,
declaring his distinguished predeces-
sor" deserved most of the credit for
awakening the public to the need for
action and argued that progressive is
as progressive does" enumerating
some of the achievements of his ad-
ministration in support of his conten-
tion that his term has been progres
Sive one.
The president faced an audience of
LOO persons in the gold room of the
Congress. The main dining room wa
inadequate to accommodate the diners
and four smaller rooms were used TO
accommodate the overflow.
E. c. Westman was toastmaster. Gov.
Deneen and ID. r. Forgan, president of
the IdIL cup OF ILLINOIS, sat at Ine lClA
of the president. Preceding the ban
quet the president held a reception in
the Elizabethan room of the hotel.
During the day the president made
five speeches in addition to his ad-
dress to the Swedish-American league.
He spoke to the students of the Ar
mour Institute of Technology, to a
crowd at the clay products exhibition
at the Coliseum, to a large attend
ance at the MONDAY luncheon at the
Los "a
audience at the Palace opera house
on the west side, and made a short
talk at the Press club.
Still Hopes for Treaties.
He evidenced his frame of mind
when he declared at the Union League
club luncheon that he had been sorely
hurt when the senate emasculated
his arbitration treaties. but asserted
he did not propose to surrender. He
said he appreciated the power and au-
thority of the senate, but declared he
believed the people were with him
in his advocacy of international peace.
and would yet. cause the adoption OF
the treaties in the form advocated by
him.
The president appeared eager to let
his several audiences know he did not
take kindly to the criticism that has
been heaped upon him. He intimat-
ed pretty plainly he did not consider
it just. In his evening speech he went
into a thorough review of his admin
have been the subjects of attack.
Greeted at Public Reception.
Mr. Taft's Chicago reception was
cordial He was received with enthu-
siasm wherever he spoke. He was
greeted with hearty cheer when his
automobile dashed up to the Hotel La
Sale for the public reception in the
rooms of the Taft club of Illinois.
In his different talks he took Up
practically every phase of government.
in UariOnS iSsuaS now -enEaR-
ing the attention of the country. He
his opposition to the re-
call of judges, also opposed the
suggestion for the recall
Of judicial decisions.
He conceded that court procedure
Is in need of reformation, and de-
-lared he had taken the initiative I'm
suggesting this reform. He protested
however, d-aInst disgruntled litiEants
being permitted to pass judgment on
Judges. AS a substitute he proposed
IN impartial tribunal to try errins
Judges. a tribunal in which they
might be assured absolute justice.
Plea for denomination.
The president made a direct plea
Tor a denomination when he said: IF
he people give to the Republican par
-y and the present administration its
mark of approval in the national cleo
ion the march of progressive legisla.-
ion will continue and the progressive
additions to our governmental struc-
-ure, which are to serve the purpose
IF making broader and wider and
more perfect the equality of opportun-
ty, will continue to rest upon the sub
structure of that constitution and
hose restrictions which have secured
or nearly a century and a quarter
o the American people the infinite
blessings of the widest liberty. pre-
Ierved and regulated by law"
His principal speech was delivered
It the Swedish American banquet on
he fiftieth anniversary of the bat
lie between the Monitor and Merri-
nae in Hampton Roads.