Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-24
Roosevelt Flags His Plan for
''Misrepresenting" People.
IS UNINJURED IN ACCIDENT
Keeps Balance When Platform at
Portland, Me-, Collapses.
GIVEN A CORDIAL WELCOME
Chief Guest at a Luncheon and Din
ner, Attends Conference and
Shakes Hands for Two Hours.

PORTLAND, Me-, March e3.-The most
direct criticism yet leveled at President
Taft by his predecessor in office was con-
tanned in speech delivered here to-
night by Col. Roosevelt. The colonel
spent twelve hours in Portland and re-
ceived a cordial welcome.
He was the chief guest at luncheon
and a dinner, shook hands steadily for
two hours in the afternoon, attended a
conference OF Maine politicians. and to-
night spoke for an hour before a crowd
which filed the Armory auditorium.
Mr.. Roosevelt repeated the statement
which he made in his New York speech
Wednesday night that President Taft
had declared in favor Of a government
by representative part of the people :"
In its actual workings he said, the
Presidents scheme would be a govern
lnent of the people, for the people, by the
bosses.
Names Taft's Henchmen.
Mr.. Roosevelt named Senator Penrose
of Pennsylvania, Senator Gallinger of
New Hampshire. William Barnes, IT., of
New York; Representative Mckinley of
Illinois. the Presidents campaign man
ager, and Representative Tawney Of Min
uesOta. as representing the chief pres
ent adherentS of the President" and said
that they were precisely tho men who
under the Presidents theory, would be-
as they to a certain degree already are
the representative part of the people
which governs the rest OF the people. and
which does not really represent them at
all. but misrepresents them"
The speaker added that the difference
between what he termed President Taft 8
theory OF government and Lincoln's the
ory. explains why In SO many matters
the progresstves do not feel that the
President, however good his Intentions.
can properly represent them or pay to
progressive IDEAS the kind Of loyalty
which results in the translation Of words
into actions"
Colonel Unhut IN Collapse.
Tho collapse Of the speakers platform
In the auditorium created some excite
ment. although Mr.. Roosevelt was un-
injured The platform. which was ele-
waited about three feet from the floor, was
occupied by about thirty persons. As Mr..
Roosevelt ascended 1t on entering the hall
IL gave way with crash. The middle
portion sank to the floor. Mr.. Roosevelt
stepped quickly to the front Of the struc-
his hsna at o,d not Ss and bs waved
unin3ured- A chair was placed on the
edges of the platform and during the
remainder Of the evening Mr.. Roosevelt
remained placidly at the very front Of
the weakened stage.
Aedill Mccormick OF Chicago, man
ager of the Roosevelt Washington bu-
reau, was on the platform at the time 1t
collapsed He said that 1t sank so grad
Ually that there YVES no danger to any
one. Mr.. Mccormick was standing di
rectly behind Mr.. Roosevelt, who, he
said stepped to the front before it gave
way completely. and did not lose his
balance.
When Walter II. Brown. president of
the Roosevelt committee of Maine. intro
duced the colonel there was an outburst
OF handclapping. Frequently during his
speech also he was interrupted by ap-
plauSe.
Opening Remarks Bring Laugh.
Mr.. Roosevelt's opening remarks, in
which he referred to the collapse of the
PLATFORM brought a laugh from his hear
ers.
The platform broke down." he said.
but ii wasn't our platform. Our plat
form won't break down. In the end the
servants of the people will have to stand
on that platform or the American democ-
racy will be confessed failure
RMS was Mir. Roosevelts first visit
10 Maine since August, 1902. When he
arrived here shortly after noon he was
welcomed by large crowd. while at
The parlOr of hotel for two hours and
shook hands with d stream of persons
which moved by him rapidly they
could be urged forward.
Col Fred Hale Frank l.. D.ngley,
brother of the late Congressman Dingley.
and a number of other leaders in the
Roosevelt movement in Maine brought
to Mr.. Roosevelt reports of the progress
of the fight in all parts of the state.
Again Speaks of Recall
Col Roosevelt reiterated his now we'll
known arguments as to the right OF the
people TO recall decisions of state courts,
declaring that in no other English-speak-
ing country or In France and Germany
were judges given such power as in the
american state courts.
1T Is idle folly to say that there is an
attack on our Constitution system" he
declared; Ion the contrary IL is a pro-
posal to save our constitutional system
by making IL connotable with popular
government. The people of this country
will not remain attached TO the govern
Inent and the laws unless they are taken
into the confidence of the man to whom
they have delegated the management of
the government. and unless they know
that they themselves ultimately decide
how they themselves are to be governed
Remember always" explained the col
cnei, that am not speaking of ordinary
cases OF justice between man and man.
am not asking that the remedy be ap-
iied 10 the federal courts. l am speak
~ only Of the powers that within the
century have been assumed by Amer
state courts
Not Dealing in Theory"
am not dealing with mere theory.
-E you TO test the worth of what l
~ examining what has actually hap
ned Just across your border in the
e OF New Hampshire. In that state
formerly saw the practical applica-
OF the Presidents theory of the gov
'nent of the peoply by a part of the
pie; and at this moment Senator Gal
ser is heading the movement to re-
'rodJce the system in New Harnpsh hire.
IN actual practice il was (and ii our
Jponents win again Will be- a govern
on ent OF the people OF New Hampshire by
hat representative part of the people
which CONS. sted of Senator GalIineer and
his machine, that 1t, Of political and
financial privileges. But at present the
state of New Hampshire is really having
a government of the people themselves.
under the lead of Gov. Bass who during
The last two years, has been the leading
exponent to be found in the entire north
cast in the battle for the cause OF social
ond industrial Justice and honest and
CONTINUED on Fifth Page)