The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-10-22
TAFT WOULD
: PUT BAN ON
PERSONALITIES
Comments on Shooting of Col.
+ Roosevelt by Fanatic
in Milwaukee
PLEADS FOR DIGNITY
IN SEEKING OFFICE
Says Great Danger to Republic
can Government Lies in Lack
Of Interest of Citizens

Ties In 4 campaign was the emphatic
statement OF President Taft In an ex-
elusive interview granted the United
Press today. In view OF the interest
aroused throughout the country by
the charges made by certain public
men that personalities were Iespons-
bic for the shooting Of Colonel Roose-
Welt, the president was asked for his
view. He made II very plain that he
believes personalities absolutely out
OF place: that they do not change a
single vote, but that they serve to
3ecloud the real issues.
The president endorsed the modren
methods OF getting the issues before
the public through extensive advertis-
ing, but admitted they were most ex-
pensive. He made II plain too, that
~Ahe questioning OF the motives OF
big contributors has made the raising
OF funds for the present day fight
real problem.
In conclusion the president made
plea OF dignity In once seeking,
declaring there was no question the
people OF the United States were as
jealous OF the dignity of their higher
officials today as they ever were In
The country's history.
Mr.. President" he was asked,
"how do you personally believe presi-
Dental campaigns should be con-
ductcd?"
Presidential campaigns should be
conducted" he answered, "in such a
way, as to bring out the votes Of as
lIany citizens as possible. The great
panger to Republican government, as
Z see II, IL the lack OF interest that
Is taken In politics, and in the exer-
else Of suffrage by very large num-
| Der Of our citizens.
II regret to say that I believe sta
| tistics would show that those who
neglect this very important duty are
! generally intelligent wellto-do, and
capable of exercising the sArt Of dis
elimination In their vote that would
make for good go eminent. Every
/ thing, therefore, should be done to
bring about this vote, In the president
/ lal campaign presume that rallies,
| rocessions--torch light or otherwise
and other manifestations Of party
| real which attract public attention are
| absolutely necessary to arouse the at
tcntion and- the interest OF the voter.
The press, OF course Ii the chief In
kstrument for keeping before the pub
lie. the controversies OF the campaign,
aud the necessity for political activ-
ity, and the final act OF suffrage, but
oiher methods of advertising are COM
ing into vogue-the use Of the bill
beard and the electric signs. and the
advertising panels of the street cars
Is a logical outcome OF the study OF
science OF advertising and publicity
That so many Industrial concerns had
occasions to make.
The great difficulty In such sam.
paigns Is the expense. A campaign
conducted in forty-eight states neces-
sarily involves the expenditures or
vast amounts of money. The travel
ing expenses OF speakers are to be
raid, the advertising, whether II is by
['mail, through the newspapers, by bill
boards or otherwise, Is certain TO
amount to large figures, while the
renting OF halls. the transportation OF
speakers, the construction OF plat
foims, and the uniforming and equip
ing of clubs all involve expense of
money.
"At times, 1t seems more or less easy
y 70 raise considerable sums by popu-
lar subscriptions, but In times past
fac subscriptions have been compare
lively few, persons of large financial
means and engaged In enterprises
which might have relations to the gov
ernmental action were the only con-
tiibutors. This has given rise, when
the contributions became known, TO
Questions OF motives, many OF them
dnfounded, that are likely to make
the collection OF funds of this kind ex-
ceedIngly difficult.
THE question Is not one easily
solved. In Oregon and some states,
II has been attempted to pay the ex.
u pcnses of the campaigns OF all parties
by furnishing a public record OF the
arguments in favor OF each candidate,
and it's Calculations among the peoDle
at public expense. but I should think
vtnis a very unsatisfactory way OF ar
guing n question OF some intricacy,
and that II might limit the knowledge
X people In respect TO the controvers-
les upon which they are expected TO
vote"
what do you think, Mr.. president,
II the effect of personalities In the
campaign"
Il very much doubt" continued the
president, whether personalities have
anything like the effect In a campaign
hat those who use them think they
do.
Some times there IL a real reve-
lation as to the character OF candi-
!, date 30 clearly proven To his detriment
that he suffers, but ordinarily the use
cr epithets and the personal attacks
npon candidates only anger their
friends. crafty their enemies, and do
not AFFECT those. who are Indifferent
one way OF another IL lowers the
tone OF the discussion and diverts
public attention from the real facts at
Tissue .-
For that reason. the fewer person
a,itIes in a campaign. the more liv'ly
the public Is to reach thorough foot
hold OF this question"
"Is the people still to look for dig
!. nity in high offiee?"
- They certainly do. ] att convinced
that the hun-5lest voter among the
pt ople would wish the high officers Of
the government to conduct themselves
with dignity ard not to descend to bit
tor personalities or to any conduct
which We do not ordinarily associate
with men In prominent and conspicu-
US Official positions. | believe the
- aluofffwo On this orhfarf