Evening journal., 1912-05-10
KNOX OPENS
ON ROOSEVELT

LOS ANGELES, Cal, May l0-ln
q speech here last night before the
Southern California Taft Association,
when Secretary of State Knox made
his first political utterance since mis-
return from Central America, he de-
Tended President Taft from the critic
isms of Colonel Roosevelt and attack
ed the Colonel as a man prompted
by whims' of "imeprious ambitions,
vanities and mysterious antipathies,
and as one who would break the
rule OF his party and his country
and his own word to gain the seat of
8 friend
THE new nationalsm" Of Colonel
Roosevelt was termed by Secretary
Knox "as violent an assault upon the
autonomy of the States as the new
nationalism of 1861 was upon the
integrity of the Union
In refutation of Colonel Roosevelts
claim that President Taft was unfit
for reelection. Mr. Knox cited the
Colonel's language which, in 1908, COM
mended Taft as the true friend Of
reform. the true foe Of abuses
Sums Up Rival Claims.
Mr.. Knox, declaring that this is
perhaps one of tho most extraordinary
aute-convention campaigns with the
history OF our party said that the
effort so far has been to confuse the
situation by dragging i'm issues with
which the States alone are con-
oerIied."
Mr. Knox then summarized and
compared the claims to reform
achievements of Colonel Roosevelt
and President Taft. asserting that the
Presidents accomplishment far out
weigh those of his predecessor.
IF Mr.. Roosevelt" he said. claims
that President Taft is seeking or has
the support OF the men who for years
have stood for leadership in the Re-
publican party and guided its columns
to victory. President Taft can reply
that Mr. Roosevelt sought and had
their support in him campaign in 1904
and that in many places now his in
terests are in the fands OF rejected
and disaffected political bosses, whose
political offenses smell to Heaven
"If Mr.. Roosevelt claims that he is
not in favor of reciprocity with Can
ada, President Taft can point to the
fact that before entering into that
great agreement he consulted Mr..
Roosevelt and obtained his hearty and
unqualified approval OF it, Mr.. Knox
quoted an eulogy OF Mr.. Taft by Col
onel Roosevelt in 1908 as an answer
10 the Colonels assertion that Presi-
dent Taft is unfit 20 succeed himself. -
He also cited passages of praise of
Mr. Taft in Mr. Roosevelt's speech as
temporary chairman Of the Saratoga
Convention in 1910.
."Mr Roosevelt the speaker con-
tAued. has given no coherent reason
for changing his just appraisement OF
Mr. Taft's character and qualiaca-
tions."
Mr.. Knox made an earnest plea that
President Taft be given second term
This has been he said, the Re-
publican rule without exception. eX-
cept one president Hayesl. which 50
forcibly emphasizes tho rule and un-
less the Republican party has become
the plaything of one man prompted by
his whims. his imperous ambitions
his vanities and mysterious antipa-
thies. il will not break the rule nov
nv refusing a denomination TO the man
who has the proud distinction OF hav-
ing received more votes than were
ever cast BY the American people fol
anv other candidate for President
ON the other hand you have one
who has served two terms as Presi'
dent. who would break the rule Of his
party and his country, and his Owl
solemn word to gain the seat oil ms
friend.
1T is for you TO decide oetVfer
them