Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1912-04-25
He USES PLAIN LANGUAGE
DECLARES ROOSEVELT ONCE AP-
PROVED THINGS HE NOW
CONDEMNS.
NOT A PERSONAL MATTER
EXECUTIVE ASSERTS HE SPEAKS
ONLY IN DEFENSE OF
WORTHY CAUSE.

OpIluSllClQs uuaoo.s <ARAh @o' -
dent Taft made his answer here to
day to the criticisms that Colone
Theodore Roosevelt has made of him
and his administration. In speech
that bristled with indignation, in
which he named Colonel Roosevelt
over and over again, Mr.. Taft told q
crowd that filled Springfield's public
square how he believed Mr.. Roosevelt
had not given him square dear
and how he had "misstated" and dis
torted" the facts concerning Mr..
Taft's conduct and action in the
White House.
He replied in some detail to many
Of the charges that Colonel Roose-
yelt has made against him since the
present campaign began. He took
pains to make plain Mr.. Roosevelt's
knowledge of and complete agree
4knt with many of the actions and
policies of the present administra-
ton which lately he has condemned
and denounced
The president declared that after
the Columbus speech of Colonel
Roosevelt, he found the country re-
sponsive and that he shifted his
method of campaign, declaration of
principles" and proposals of reform,
to attacks on the administration
Mr.. Roosevelts doctrine of the recall
of Judges and the recall of decisions,
his willingness to disregard to the
wise custom" that forbids third
term, whether consecutive or not,
his appeal to "class hatred and preju-
dice and his absolute failure" to
put forth any concrete proposals for
true reform and through progress,
Mr.. Taft said, all combined to make
him believe that the American people
should not choose Mr.. Roosevelt
again.
Mr.. Taft began his speech by de-
claring he spoke plainly only because
he believed it time for him to do so.
He brought in Colonel Roosevelt's
name only because events had forced
him to use it.
I'm 1908 Theodore Roosevelt re-
commended to ethe people of the Unit
ed States, that I, then the secretary
of war, be nominated by the republi-
can party and be elected. He labored
hard and long to bring this resu
about and he succeeded. l felt the
deepest gratitude to him.
Neither in thought or in word or
action have been disloyal to the
friendship owe Theodore Roosevelt.
When the time came for this cam
paign to begin I let the people know
that I would like to have my admin
istration approved by their giving me
another term.
"At that time Theodore Roosevelt
said he was not a candidate and that
it would be calamity If he were
nominated. Since tnen he has
changed his mind"
So far as he, personally. was con
cerned, the president said. he never
would have attacked Colonel Roose-
veIt nor had quarrel with him.
$50 far said he, 'as personal
ambition is concerned, so far as per
sonal feeling is concerned, would
never answer his charges. But can
not act for myself, I represent a
cause. represent an element of the
republican party that believes in
constitutional government and preser-
vation; that believes in wise progress
under the guarantees Of the consti-
tuition.
by misstatements throughout the
country, Mr. Roosevelt has led many
people to believe charges made
against me and my administration"