Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-26
Terms Charge as to Bosses
an "Audacious Effrontery''

Terms Charge as to Bosses :,
an "Audacious Effrontery''
The truth with respect to me is the
same as it is with respect to Mr.. Roose-
Welt. When I am running for the presi-
dency I gratefully accept such support
as comes to me. Mr.. Roosevelt has done
so in the past: he is doing so now. ]
am making no bargain. I am agreeing
to no conditions that would embarrass
or hamper me in the administration OF
the government should be reelected
do not say that Mr.. Roosevelt has
done SO, or is doing SO. But when ]
consider the eageThes. with which Mr..
Roosevelt has accepted In his various
campaigns the assistance Of Mr.. Aldrich.
Mr.. Cannon, Mr.. Penrose; Mr.. Quay, Mr..
Plat, Mr.. Foraker and many other men
prominent and influential in Congress and
politics. whatever their proper designa-
ton, whether leaders or bosses, do not
hesitate to say that 1t involves the most
audacious enrontery on his part to at
tack me because men he characterizes as
bosses are now supporting me, and to
charge me on that account with helping
machine politics. This is peculiarly un-
fair on his part in view Of his we'll known
political history. and is another instance
of his departing from the rule of the
square deal.
Third. The seat of Mr.. Lorimer from
Illinois in the Senate of the United States
was contested in the last session. A
hearing was had before the elections COM
mittee and the Senate, and the contest
was defeated and Mr.. Lorimer's title to
his seat was declared valid. A retrial
was ordered on the ground Of newly dis
covered evidence. and il now pending.
The issues arising out Of this contest
have colored In every way the politics Of
Illinois, and aroused strong feeling
against Senator Lorimer among the re.
publicans OF the state. In the recent
canvass OF that state Mr.. Roosevelt. who
spoke at many places in the state, and
his campaign managers did not hesitate
to link my name with Mr.. Lorimer's In
his auditors that a vote for me was a
vote for Mr.. Lorimer. I have not seen
Mr.. .Lorimer for two years, and have had
no communication with or from him. Mr..
Roosevelt attempts to connect Mr.. Lori
mer with me through Mr.. Mckinley. /
have no knowledge of any especial rela-
ton between them, except as active re-
publicans from the sg2ae state. asked
Mt Mckinley to helps7he In my canvass,
because he was good friend. having
pines, and because he was chairman OF
the national republican congressional
committee, and had been recently elected
to that position by the votes Of the in
surgent republicans Of the House. who
supported him avowedly because he had
been fair to them.
In Illinois Mr.. Lorimer was conducting
a campaign Of his own with his own
nominees. did not ask his support. He
did not tender it to me. Any influence
he may have given in my favor was not
because he liked me. but because he felt
more bitter toward Mr.. Roosevelt. With
out further circumstance or knowledge,
It would have been unfair and unjust for
on me the popular indignation against
Senator Lorimer and thus to carry the
state Of illinois against me; but 1t was
peculiarly unfair In Mr.. Roosevelt to do
to my actual attitude toward Senator
Lorimer.
In January Of 1911 / wrote to Mr..
Roosevelt as follows:
1.-The White House.
Washington, January 6, 1911.
MY Dear Theodore: 1t comes to me.
perhaps without foundation, that You are
going to write q strong article on the
Lorimer case and publish 1t in the Out
look. L have been doing everything I
could legitiniately TO have the closest ex-
animation made into the Lorimer case l
have read as much Of the evidence as
could get at and am convinced that there
which his election was founded. that
ought to be stamped with the disap-
prevail of the Senate. But want the
movement to GUST him to succeed. l
have urged different senators to read the
record carefully. and after talk with
Root. and Burton. and Knute Nelson
and Crawford and some others. believe
we are going to limo UP good many Of
the regular republicans on the side OF
what l consider decency and honesty in
cit has leaked out that have been
taking some interest In the matter, and
fear that 1t has not helped the situation
generally. because of that strong feeling
sentiment against outside interference
which nobody who 10 not intimately &C
quainted with the situation can under
stand the weight Of. I was talking with
good deal with him on the subject. and
he and agree that 1t would be unwise
either for you or for mo to come out now
against Lorimer and in favor of his be-
ing ousted: that it would enable those
especial among the democrats. Bailey
and others. to use an argument
against outside interference that would
hold a number Of democrats and would
get by a quiet presentation Of the
fun facts on the floor Of the SEN
ate, from the Senate itself. Root
is going to make speech. So is
Burton. and believe that Lodge will do
the same thing. Now. nothing would
have stronger weight than speeches from
them: whereas. II either you or dame
out with an attack 1t would enable the
frienAs OF Lorimer to shift the subject
from the tainted character Of his seat TO
the independence Of the Senate IN acting
as the Judge Of the qualifications Of III
own members.
'T suggest. Therefore. that II You have
an article on this subject. you hold It
until after the issues are more plainly
made by speeches on the fioor Of the
body IN which the contest Il to be won.
want to win.' So do you. This II my
excuse for writing you.
Sincerely yours.
WILLIAM II. TAFT.
Hon. Theodore Roosevelt,
'sThe Outlooh 2S7 eth avenue. New
YORK. n. Y.
'P. e.-Of course. I may be misinform-
ed a to your purpose In this matter
"Since debating the above have had