Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-06
SPEAKS OF ROOSEVELT
AS HIS "FORMER FRIEND"
Believes Third Termer's Policies
Would Create Despotism.
ADOPTION OF ENGLISH IDEAS
President Declares for Income Tax,
Without Exemption Of the Rich,
and for Popular Election
of Senator's.

BEVERLY. Mass, October :.
The progressive leader, though
he may be unconscious of it, is
actually convinced that affairs in
this country have reached a state
wherein benevolent despotism is
demanded in order to secure a
millennium and to secure happi-
ness to the people, and that he
alone is fitted to head that benev-
olent despotism."
This is one striking expression
made by President Taft to a rep
resentative of the New York
American, in the most remarkably
frank newspaper interview ever
given by a Chief Magistrate of the
United States.
Mr. Taft in High Spirits.
The President was in high spirits when
workroom at Parramatta, the summer
White House here. a drizzling rain was
streaking the windows while he talked,
but wood fire gave warmth to the scene
within doors
Seated in a wicker chair the Presi-
dent talked freely of the men and issues
of the campaign. Referring always to
the th:rd-term candidate as my former
friend. Mr.. Roosevelt" not once during
the hours conversation did Mr.. Taft
ponent or detection as to the outlook OF
the presidential race. Candor and absolute
conviction were the keynutes Of his talk.
Not the least surprising phase Of this
candSr and earnestness was his attitude
toward the election in November.
The President seems sereneiy sure of
his reelection and Of the triumph of the
political doctrine and principles to which
sauarely and answered each in detail.
without displaying the slightest disposi-
ton to clOthe his replies in phrases of
doubtful significance.
Harbors No Bitterness
Il entertain no feeling of bitterness
toward my former friend. Mr. Roosevelt .
President Taft said when asked to ex-
plain the meaning of phrase he had
employed in a speech that the whole pur-
pose of the progressive party movement
was for the qualification Of a personal
ambition and vengeance"
Did you mean by that expression, Mr..
President. that Mr.. Roosevelt was seek
ing personal ambition and vengeance on
you?' he was asked
With a hearty laugh, he replied:
see now that / should have been a
little more careful of my parts of speech
when i phrased that expression. The sus-
picion of hidden meaning could not have
FOUND lodgment in your mind had I said
that the whole purpose Of the progressive
party movement was for the qualification
of vengeance and personal ambition.
What / meant was that Mr.. Roosevelt
was seeking to crafty two desires-elec-
ton to the presidency for a third term
and vengeance upon the republican party
for refusing him nomination for third
term.
Il had no thought of intimating that he
was seeking personal vengeance upon me-
As 1 said to you before, l entertain no
feeling of bitterness toward him. I SIM
ply regard my former friend Mr.. Roose-
Welt as one OF the most wonderful and
rare men in the world-a remarkable ex-
ample of what human nature is capable
of doing with itself. for itself and by
itself when unbounded ambition and GER
tain attractive personal qualities are
united in single individuality
Knows Of No Hidden Cause.
Then there is nothing hidden or con-
cealed in the causes that brought about
so wide and unbridgable a breach in the
relations between yourself and Mr. Roose-
Welt. Mr. President?"
Nothing whatever, so far as I am
aware, was the quick and candid re-
Spouse, accompanied by a vigorous nod
ding of the head and an earnest gaze into
lhe Frightening flames. as II seeking there
some answer to the puzzle as to Mr..
Roosevelts changed attitude.
The conversation then switched to thu
broader issues of the campaign.
Mr. President, do you regard the
avowed program Of the progressive part,
as an assault upon our established In.
StitutionS?''
Il most emphatically do" came the re-
ply. 1t is fraught with more danger
dignity. the sanity and the health of thu
republic than any movement of wids
reach since the civil war Not ever
populism in its widest manifestation
was such a menace. 1t seeks to trans
plant to this country the English system
OF government. and that only In its wors
form.
Mr. Roosevelt and his followers fl
their tendency would do away completed,
with the Constitution framed by thu
father nf the republic, and substitut,
for it the British form of constitution
which Is no constitution at all but mere
ly tradition. They would wholly de
stroy all constitutional limitations anS
restrictions, and replace them with tn,
unchecked will and emotions OF a bar
majority of the people. They would maxi
the Congress a permanent constitutions
convention, subject only to the momen
tary whim Of a bare majority Of the peo
pie that they themselves could control
and their full program xould place tina
control in the hands OF the President.
"Monstrous Form Of Despotism."
THAT would be a monstrous form o
despotism that quickly would utterly de
stroy our liberties and lead to the estab
lshment of a monarchy-probably by
referendum to the people themselves"
The President added the latter phras
CONTINUED on Thirteenth Pasel