The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1912-10-28

Fairbanks type of mind, all our
work will be undone and the
country will be set back for
years. 1 would like to have a
man succeed me who will carry
forward the work which I have
done"
Curiosity prompted me to ask:
And what, Colonel, do you pro-
pose to do? You have been
rather active man. Do you pro-
pose to accept a job as president
of some college and give out oc-
casional interviews on non-con-
temporary subjects
The Colonel smiled. 81 will
not become the Sage of any
thing" he said. Then, becom-
ing quite serious, he continued:
my plan-at least the thing
which at this time appeals to me
is this-with man in the White
House in sympathy with the
things for which l have made my
fight l would be very glad to go
to the United States senate. AS
senator from New York, l would
have place where l could con-
tinue making the fight; and, by
George, l believe it would be a
winning team!" said the Colonel,
with his peculiar, characteristic
emphasis. 81 could help lot in
the senate, and with the White
House back of me, we could put
through a lot of corking good
things! l am sure that l could
render some useful service as
senator, and l would be very glad
to do that"
This was in the winter of
1907-S. Nine months later Taft
was elected. During the period
between Taft's election and his
Inauguration, it became increas-
ingly evident that he intended to
repudiate his promises to Roose-
welt and to reverse the Roosevelt
policies. He took counsel with
the most notorious of Roose-
velt's enemies--the men whom
Roosevelt had fought hardest in
the pre-convention campaign to
nominate Taft. His cabinet ap-
pointments were a slap in the
face to all the Roosevelt men who
had supported him. He was seek
ing support from the Cannon
machine in the house and the
Aldrich machine in the senate.
Roosevelt went to Africa. When
he returned he found the Bal
linger controversy in full swing.
and was informed by all the peo-
pie who had upheld his policies
that Taft had been a distinct
failure.
From that time on, Roosevelt
carefully refrained from any
promise to keep out of the presi-
Dental race. He told everybody
that while at the time he saw no
occasion for becoming candi-
date, he would not bind himself,
and intended to leave himself
perfectly free to take any politi-
cal action in the future which
might in the future seem wise.
This course can be easily traced
to Roosevelt's determination to
do all in his power to undo the
great mistake which he made in
giving the country Mr.. Taft. He
felt that the monumental treach-
cry involved in the Taft betrayal
ought to be exposed and punish
ed, and was willing to take any
steps necessary to bring about
this result. For some time he
doubted seriously whether 1t
would be necessary to inject his
ow ncandidacy into the struggle.
AS events shaped themselves it
became evident that this would
be necessary and that the fight to
overthrow the forces which had
grouped themselves around Taft
in the defense of special privilege
could only be overthrow by his
own efforts.
That is why Roosevelt Is now
running for president.
TOMORROW - Read Gardner
on ssThe Roosevelt Trust Pro-
gram"