New-York tribune., 1912-02-23
Irrom Tho Tribune Bureau


Washington, February =.
TAFT AND RoOsEvELT.-Ex-Presiden'
Roosevelts Columbus speech has natuIai'!
been the subject of considerable interest az
the White House, and one OF the nolaD''
comments on It is the small number OF ma
teriaI differences between the eX-Presldeh'
and his successor: although, where such
differences do exist, they are OF most
emphatic character. Colonel Roosevelt
notable silence on the tariff is regarded as
an indication that he could not discuss
that subject without indorsing the anihIh-
istration quite as much as that ne mas
always regarded the tariff as topic the
discussion OF which was more liable 10
ALLEVIATE than 10 attract votes. 1t is re-
marked that there is no essential diner
ence between the eX-Presidents views on
the trust question. as expressed at Column
bus, and those Of his successor, although
there is material difference in their re-
spective methods Of enforcing those views
il is this difference which has made pos
sibe the collection in Wall Street or the
large fund with which the colonels frlehuS
are promoting his candidacy, dlHerehce
which made it possible for President Roose-
welt conscientiously to approve IN advance
the merger of the Tennessee Coal ana iron
Company and the steel trust, WhlIe tIes''
dent Taft could never have brought MINI
self under any circumstances 10 appioNe
such action. But read calmly, and Withou'
the addition Of Colonel Roosevelts dynamic
style OF oratory. his reference TO the trusts
contains nothing new or novel. or course
when it comes TO the initiative the reier-
endum and the recall of judges or the
submission 10 popular vote Of the decisions
of the courts, the President and his prede-
cessor are as far apart as the poles Both
believe In the supreme right of The people
TO rule to make or to amend their CON
stitutions, both national and state, but
President Taft believes so grave n step
as the amendment Of the Constitution
should be safeguarded by machinery when
renders hasty action impossible and ell
fectiyely furestalls such amendment as
would be apt to result from a popular vote
directed only to a single instance, 10 DE
taken within six months of an unpopular
legal decision. Furthermore, the President
believes that every precaution should be
taken TO protect the judiciary from popular
clamor and the attacks Of demagogues al
though he favors some simplification OF the
process OF impeachment Mr. Roosevelt
with Characteristic impatience Of any
process which is slow, would reject both
these precautions. and therein exists the
most serious difference between the present
occupant OF the White House and the
former.
THE ACTUAL FACTS.--A somewhat be-
wildered reader has called my attention to
the radical difference between certain
quoted interviews regarding the Roosevelt
speech and the views attributed TO Insur-
gents and other admirers OF the eX-Presi-
dent in this column this morning. To the
uninitiated this marked difference would
naturally cause surprise, but not so with
those who have had experience in gathering
quoted interviews. In the last administra-
ton | had occasion TO ask a prominent
"stand-patter" his opinion Of one of Pres
ident Roosevelt's messages TO Congress. Il
never read a greater lot OF tommyrot," he
replied. How any reasoning man could
entertain, much less publicly utter, such
views is beyond me. In fact, that message
occasions me grave anxiety as to the san
ity OF Theodore Roosevelt May / quote
you TO that effect" was asked. Good
heavens, no!' was the reply. 81 had no
idea you wanted to quote me. Why, If you
want to quote me, just say it is a remark
able state paper, that certain points give
evidence Of much earnest thought, that 1t
contains propositions 10 which have given
no consideration, but to which L will de-
vote all due study, and, and-oh, you know
the usual twaddle." And when giving an
interview for publication there is no essen
tiaI difference between a "stand-patter"
and an Insurgent. Those who want the
real views of public men regarding ques-
tions into which the personal equation en-
ters will come much nearer getting them
from their anonymous opinions, when writ
ten by a reputable correspondent, than
from quoted interviews.
HIS HAT IN THE RlNG.-AccoTding &c
a dispatch from Columbus, Colonel Roose-
welt remarked, apropos Of his candidacy
for the nomination. that his hat was ir
the ring" and that his position would be
made clear next Monday. Just what was
meant by this cryptic utterance it is not
known, but 1t has been the subject Of much
speculation in Washington. Generally speak
ing, it is taken as a forerunner Of ar