The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-04-26
Taft Makes Hot Reply
To Roosevelt ChaFde 81
ALLEGES DELIBERATE
DISTORTION OF FACTS.
Criticises Colonel's Platform An
nounced in His Columbus
Speech.
Denies Soliciting Support of Lori
mer or Any Deal With the
Bosses.

BOSTON. April 25.-President Taft
donned his lighting clothes to-day,
abandoned his policy OF silence under
the attacks that Colonel Theodore
Roosevelt has made upon him, and
upon his administration. and for the
hrst time since Mr.. Roosevelt an
nounced his candidacy launched into a
bitter denunciation of the former pres
dent. From the time Mr.. Taft en-
tered Massachusetts and made his
hrst speech at Springfield. shortly af-
ter noon, until late tonight he ham,
nered away at Colonel Roosevelt. The
President made close TO a dozen
speeches. many OF them extended. the
rest only few words in length.
In all he made IL clear he is unalter-
ably opposed to Mr.. Roosevelt: that
he saw disaster in a third term in the
White House for any man. and that
he did not believe Colonel Roosevelt
had given him square deal" He
spoke TO good sized crowds in all the
cities where he made set speeches,
and at the towns and villages where
his train stopped briefly the people
hocked around his private car and
listened with close attention.
Attacks Against Desire.
The President spoke at Springfield
and Palmer. twice at Worcester. and
at Natick. South Framingham and sew
eral smaller towns. In the beginning
he seemed TO utter his attacks on Col
Roosevelt with reluctance.
This wrenches my SOUL" he said
once
As the day wore on, however, and
he made speech after speech in which
he denounced Mr.. Roosevelt again and
again, Mr.. Taft grew more aggressive
in manner. emphasized his words with
gestures and apparently laid aside any
ceiling OF regret. he may have felt at
he evidence that the long friendship
With his former chief was broken.
His principal Boston address was
delivered in the arena, to a large
;rowd. but before retiring TO his pri
ate car. he spoke briefly to an "over.
low meeting in Symphony hall. His
speech in the arena was delivered
rom manuscript prepared during the
ast few days in Washington. care
.ully gone over by members OF his
cabinet and containing a detailed
answer to many OF Mr. Roosevelt's
charges.
Mr.. Taft's speech bristled with
counter charges against his predeces.
sor in the White House. He declared
that Mr.. Roosevelt had wilfully mis-
represented him. had falsely distorted
some OF his public utterances. had fail.
ed TO live up TO his policy OF a square
deal and had violated a solemn prom
Use TO the American people not TO be
4 candidate for n third term.
Taft Points Out DANGER.
hot sHa4a. -.
IT," said Mr.. Taft. only throw an in
.ormins light on the value that ought
now 10 be attached 20 any promise OF
this kind he may make for the Ia.
ture."
Declaring that Mr. Roosevelt
ought not be selected a. a candidate
Of any party. Mr. Taft said that the
former President might nov he paving
the way. n successful In the present
campaign 20 remain the chief execu.
tive of the nation for a. many years as
his natural life should permit.
IT he is necessary nov 90 the Eov
eminent. ehy not later" asked the
President and continued.
one whO 20 lightly regards conEti
tutional principles. and especially the
lnc pendence of the judiciary. one
eho is % naturally inpatient of lega
restraints and of due legal procedure
and who has 90 misunderstood what
liberty regulated By law b.. could moi
safeiy b. entrusted utth successive
presidential terms. ] say this sorrow
fully. but Z cay b. with the fun convic
ton % De- truth
Nr TAR referred 20 some Of Mr
hooaevelts charges aga net him n
The "iouae and vague Indictment o
one who does nor know. and who d..
pends only upon second hand informa
uon Tor he statement
Columbus Dsciaration.
Nr Taft said that Col Rooaeve1ti
rpium bus speech. accepted AZ his plat
form. cent r. thrill ~ alarm through
al ths members ~ the community
Nr Roosevelt he Eaid. then foun,
fhaf n fhr uomilafiou wcrc % CON,
to bin ha must m nimize the import
anre Cf this charter ~ drmocracy'
anf must fnd some other Issue upoi
fcoutinnsd On rsnn P.gsB