Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-11-17
LAUGHED At HIS Defeat
WAS MOVED TO SMILES WHEN HE
SPOKE OF THE PLANS OF
WILSON.
ADVOCATED MANY CHANGES
Favors Single Six Year Term and
Would Give Cabinet Officers n
Seat in the Senate.

NEW YORK, Nov 16,-President
Taft sang his Swan Song" as chief
executive of the nation tonight. As
the guest of the Lotus club. the presl-
dent responded to the toast, THE
President" In a speech which many OF
his hearers considered the most res
markabe he has ever made. He shit
ed from grave to gay and from the
philosophy which he said four years
in the White House had taught him.
to discussion of problems which face
the nation. lie laughed at the out
come of the election; smiled when ne
spoke of some of the plans Of Presi-
dent-elect Wilson and touched with
gentle sarcasm William Jennings
Bryan.
Advocates Single Term.
In his serious moments the presl-
dent earnestly advocated the admss-
sion to the halls Of congress of presi-
dents cabinet; declared that six
year term in the presidency was
enough for any man; advocated
strongly the placing in the civil SER
vice Of practically every officer IN
the government service and limited
broadly that congress should provide
for ex-president's so that they neeo
not lower the dignity Of the position
they have held when they enter into
private life.
His chief regret, the president said
was that he had been unable to in
fluence the United States senate 4
ratify the arbitration treaties with
France and Great Britain. In spits
of that fact he asked his audience to
believe that he would leave office with
the deepest gratitude to the Amcrl-
can people for the honor they hao
given him and with the belief that
enough progress had been accomplish
ed in his administration to warrant
him in feeling that he had done real
good for his country. His humorous
references to the burdens of the White
House, to his successor and to Mr..
Bryan brought forth round after
round of applause. He gave a toast
to his successor.
A Toast to Wilson.
Health and success to the able,
distinguished and patriotic gentle
man who is to be" and he raised his
glass while his hearers rose to their
feet-"the next president of the United
States"
President Taft said In part:
II see in the name Of your club the
possibility that you were organized TO
furnish an opportunity for Il swan
song to those about to disappear !
concluded that 1t was we'll to cast an
anchor to the windward and accept
as much real coincidence as I could
gather In such a hospitable presence
as this and therefore, my friends, |
accepted your invitation and am here.
you have given me thc toast th9
president 1t Is said that the offics
of president is the most powerful in
the world. because under the consti-
tuition, its occupant really can exer-
else more discretion than any emper.
OF or king exercises in any of the gov
ernments of modern Europe. / am
not disposed to question that as a mat
ter of reasoning from the actual power
given the president in the constitu-
tional division of governmental func-
tions. but | am bound to say that the
consciousness of such power Is rare
lv. If ever, present in the mind Of the
ordinary individual acting as prest-
dent. because what chiefly stares him
in the face in carrying out any plan
Of his Is the Limitation upon the pow
er and not its extent. OF course,
there are happy individuals who are
able entirely to ignore these limita-
tions both in mind and practice, and
as to them, the result may be diff
ferent. But to one whose training and
profession is subordinate to law; the
intoxication of power rapidly sobers
off in the knowledge of its restr'c-
tlos and under the prompt reminder
of an ever-present and 2 not-always
considerate press, as well as by the
kindly suggestions that not infre-
quently come from. that hall OF con
gress In which impeachments are in
itlated and that smaller chamber in
which they are tried.
A Day of Changes.
'In these days of progress. reform.
uplift and improvement, a man does
not show himself abreast of the age
Unless he has some changes to sug
gest. II is the recommended changes
that marks his being up to date. II
NAV be a change for the sake Of
change. but 1t is responsive to a pup-