The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1912-09-30
CHALLENGED FOR
DASTARDLY ATTACK

NEW YORK, Sept. 30.-F w. Esta
brook. member of the executive com
mittee and member from New Hamp
shire of the republican committee, to
day made public an open letter il
which he excoriates Governor Hir
am Johnson of California, the bul
moose candidate for the vice presi-
dency, on account of Governor John
sous disgraceful and dastardly attacks
on President Taft. The letter is as fol-
lows:
Hon. Hiram w. Johnson, Sacra-
mento, Calif.-Sir: | am astonshed at
the remarks made by you, as reported.
in your speech before the state con-
vention of your new party at Column
bus, Ohio, on September ). 1t is re-
ported that you said:
DO not for minute consider the
president in this race. He is negli-
gible quantity. 1t is with shame as an
American citizen that | say today the
most humiiating character in Ameri-
can history is the president of the
United States"
His Lack OF Respect for the Presiden-
tal Office.
If you did not make this statement
as reported you ought to disavow it at
once. If you did make it you ought to
apologize to the American people. 1t
is about the most shameful and dis
candidate in presidential contest.
1t is an insult to the people of the
whole country for you to refer thus to
their president 1t reveals an entire
lack of respect on your part for the
high office of the president of the
United States.
1t is one of the fine characteristics
of the American people that they do
sincerely respect the dignity of their
chief executive and that they regard
this office as the highest in the world.
They consider that the incumbent of ii
is entitled to respectful consideration
by every citizen. They resent your
foolish public reference to the presi
dent as the most humiiating charac-
ter in American history" and they will
undoubtedly see to it that the man who
made this statement is not placed in
4 position where he may be called
upon to occupy the high office he has
sought TO bring into contempt. | do
not believe for a moment that you rep
resent the viewpoint and character of
the western people. | believe that they
respect the presidency fully as much
as any other of our people. and that
they will get the true measure of your
character and act accordingly.
Your statement illustrates your lack |
of the first elements of fairness. You |
urge the American people to pass over
the president without consideration.
You urge them to neglect and dismiss
him without a minutes thought. You
preach much about fairness and justice
out you will not be fair to an opponent.
But well understand why you are
anxious to have no consideration
given to President Taft You know
hat consideration of him and his rec
,ri n st bring esteem and support,
md that is wha' you are trying to
freak down.
'r'. a. ut Tai Remarkable. Efficient
ADMINISTRATION.
Your statement and attitude are
ain; ed with the vice Of hypocrisy for
a :r,n OF Affairs must know as
veil as others that the administration ,
t Pres, dent TAFT has been a notable
me for important achievements OF
craftsmanship and accomplished re- s
ults for the welfare and progress of t
l., tt,,t al
tatement is shamefully false and
leanly contemplate. AS you know, in
oreign affairs President Taft has won I
)r his country Il return and increase
f dignity and influence in the councils {
the nations. He advanced the cause l
f internatio arbitration and peace. .
trough the important treaties nego- \
ated with Great Britain and France, I
Though these treaties were made .
ractically imperative through parti- 7
an opposition in the senate. He Sc v
lred the abrogation of the former Z
eaty with Russia, so that the rights r
American citizens temporarily in V
lat country will be better protected. 4
e secured a new treaty with Japan q
hereby troublesome immigration y
lestions are settled in a way which /
yes better protection to the wage ,,s
Irners of the United States. He has :,
isely handled the difficult task of ~
ctecting the lives and property of ',
nericans in Cuba and Mexico under =, -
e threatening and disturbed condi- d
ms in those countries. and with his n !.
eat experience and ability he has w
)rked tirelessy and effectively to .ee
We our country from being embroiled ~
a war with Mexico. with the great ar
IS of life and property, and the waste .n
money and energy, with business -,
,turbance, which such a deplorable ~
ent would involve. ~.
The people will not forget that Va Va
esident Taft. whom you try to humil- -;
e, has had long and distinguished III ~
reer, crowded with important pub IN NV
services. as judge. as administrator at
the Philippines, as negotiator and th
snt of our interests in Panama and ru
Cuba, and as the head of the war de-
-tment For his statesmanlike work %
raoa;yad tho npuua1ifiad commppda- Ilis