The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1912-05-01
POURS HOT SHOT
INTO ROOSEVELT
Does Taft, in a Speech at
Springfield.
Open WARFARE IS DECLARED
President Says Colonel Has
"MisStated" and "DistOrt-
ed" Many Facts.
STATES THE MATTER PLAINLY

Springfield, Mass, April 20
President Taft made his answer
here to-day to the criticisms that
Col. Theodore Roosevelt has made
of him and his administration. In
a speech that bristled with indigna-
ton, in which he named Col.
Roosevelt over and over again, Mr.,
Taft told a crowd that filled Spring
fields public square how he believ-
ed Mr.. Roosevelt had not given him
a square deal" and how he had
"misstated" and distorted" the
facts concerning Mr.. Taft's conduct
and actions in the White House.
lie replied in some detail TO
many of the charges that Col.
Roosevelt has made against him
since the present campaign began
He took pains to make plain Mr..
Roosevelt's knowledge of and COM
plete agreement with many of the
actions and policies Of the present
Administration which lately he has
condemned and denounced.
The President declared that after
the Columbus speech Of Col. Roose-
welt, he feund-the country unre-
sponsive, and he shifted his meth
cd of campaign from a declaration
of "principles" and proposals of re-
form to a series of attacks upon the
Administration.
Mr. Roosevelts doctrine OF the
recall of Judges and the recall of
decisions, his willingness to disre-
gard the wise custom that for
bids a third term, whether consec-
utive or not, his appeal to class
hatred and prejudice" and his "ab-
solute failure" to put forth any
concrete propositions for true re-
form and true progress, Mr.. TAFT
said, all combined to make him be-
Iieve that the American people
should not choose Mr.. Roosevelt to
sit again in the White House.
Mr.. Taft began his speech by de-
claring that he spoke plainly only
because he believed itstime for him
to do so. He brought in Col. Roose-
Velt's name only because events
had forced him to use it.
"In 1908, Theodore Roosevelt
recommended to the people of the
United States that |, then the Sec
rotary of War, be nominated by the
Republican party and be elected.
He labored hard and long to bring
this result about, and he succeeded.
I have felt the deepest gratitude to
him.
Neither in thought nor word
nor action have | been disloyal to
the friendship | owe Theodore
Roosevelt When the time came
for this campaign to begin l let the
people know that | would like to
have my administration approved
by their giving me another term.
At that time Theodore Roosevelt
said he was not a candidate and !
that it would be a calamity If he |
We're nominated. Since then he has
changed his mind"
So far as he personally was con-
cerned, the President said. he never !
would have attacked Col Roose- |
welt nor had a quarrel with him. !
$50 far" said he, las personal am
bition is concerned, so far as per-
sonal feeling is concerned, | would |
never answer his charges. But |
cannot act for myself. | represent |
cause. I represent an element OF |
the Republican party that believes
in constitutional government and /
It's preservation; that believes in
wise progress under the guarantees
of the Constitution.
"By misstatements throughout |
the country, Mr.. Roosevelt has led |
many people to believe charges |
made against me and my admins |,
tration."
Tine substitution OTPr,