The Washington herald., 1912-11-23

which alone would prevent him from ac-
cepting any offer of a Carnegie pension.
While the President is said TO have no
definite political pretensions for 1916,
there is a possibility that he again may
be in the field. The likelihood therefore
Is that he would not care to subject
himself to the possibility of having the
Carnegie pension matter lugged into any
future campaign.
DIstastefuI TO Brother.
Furthermore, Mr. Taft's friends are GER
tain that the idea OF his accepting Mr..
Carnegie's bounty would be distasteful
to Charles P. Taft. his brother, who is
a very wealthy man. Charles P. Taft
testified before the Senate investigating
committee that he had expended close
to one million dollars in furthering the
political interests of his brother.
One of the most Outspoken in his Op-
position TO the Carnegie plan is Repre-
sentative Robert L. Henry of Texas,
chairman OF the House Rules Commit
tee.
Il do not think we need worry over
the future of former Presidents" said
he. 1T is my opinion that a man who
has occupied the Office will never have
difficulty in making a living for him
self and family. Certain it is that II
any relief is necessary ii is the duty
OF the government. and not OF a private
individual or corporation, to provide 1t.
l am not sure that the government
should grant pensions in such cases. 1t
is a debatable proposition"
Representative Burleson OF Texas also
disapproved of the Carnegie offer.
1T is my opinion" said Mr.. Burleson,
that the government should grant pen
sions to former Presidents"
Calls Proposition "Impudent."
Representatives Needham OF California
and Burke Of South Dakota expressed
similar sentiments.
Senator Hoke Smith OF Georgia called
the Carnegie proposition "impudent"
Speaker Clark did not think It was
worth talking about and Senator Gore Of
Oklahoma doubted whether a President
who accepted such pension would be
entitled to the continued respect of the
people.
THE scheme does not strike me very
favOrably." said Senator McCumber of
North Dakota. Our former Presidents
ought not TO be dependent upon private
charity. l advocate the passage of a
bill TO give them a life pension OF SO.
900 a year as past COmmander-in-chief
of the army and navy
Il don't see any objection to i or
land OF Utah. a Republican. Il think
any man elected to public Office ought
to work himself back into the citizen
ship when his term expires. The most
wholesome thing for him is to go back
into private life and support himself as
other people do"
Representative +. A. Hayes Of Cali
fornia expressed the opinion that former
Presidents TO the United States should
he
United States Senate for life, with the
salary of a Senator.
Reelection on Office.
"To provide for the employment Of ex-
Presidents in this manner" said Mr..
Hayes. would be much more dignified
than for a private citizen to provide
them support"
I'm derogation OF the high ofhce' was
the chara cterlzati by former Secretary
of War Jacob Dickinson Of the accept |
ance by a former President OF the pen |
sion offered by Andrew Carnegie.
Senator Culberson of Texas, one Of the |
floor leaders OF the Senate, denounced |
the Carnegie pension plan. He said IT |
not only was undignified. but undemo- |
cratic The matter undoubtedly will be |
taken.up by Congress at the coming ses-
sion. he added.
Representative Edwin Y Webb of |
North Carolina. declared that the act Of |
Andrew Carnegie in proposing to pension |
future former Presidents indicates that |
Carnegie thinks he is bigger than the |
government.
II don't like the idea" said Represent |
ative Webb. No man is bigger than |
the government. and Mr.. Carnegie should |
not try to perform a service which ought |
to be performed by the government"
The general belief here is that Presi-
dent Taft will not wait until a pension |
is offered him before making public his |
views SO far as he personally is con-
cerned