The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-10-24
Presidential Preferences and
Reasons for Them

Reasons for Them
The Waterman is strictly non par
tizan in politics. 1t recognizes, how
ever, that at the present time, old
parties are becoming disintegrated,
and new alignment is taking place +;
and that this REIMBURSEMENT is occur
ring on what are claimed to be moral
grounds. To an unusual degree the
ethical element is entering into the
present presidential campaign. AS
the Watchmans only interest in poll
tics is ethical, it seemed fitting to in
wife prominent Baptists of various
parties TO state their reasons for vot-
ing for the different candidates to
which they will give their suffrage.
We thank the gentlemen who have re-
sponded to our invitation, and believe
that our readers will be interested in
learning the reasons which have led
Christian men to decide to vote for
the various candidates. The discus
sion may be helpful to many. Some
of the arguments may be convincing.
At least 1t will appear how there may
be honest differences of opinion in the
present condition of political affairs
The Waterman.
Why l Shall Vote for Hon. William H..
Taft.
(By Hon. Geo Otis Smith, P. H. D.
Director of the United States Geologi-
cal Survey)
Religious journals may we'll give
space to the discussion of national is
sues, and | gladly accept the editors
invitation to present in the Watch
man the reasons for my faith in
President Taft. The issue in which |
am most interested is not the contest
between the Republican and the DEM
ocratic parties, nor that between the
two honorable men who are the
chosen acknowledgements of these two
great parties, but rather the broader,
non-partizan question whether per-
sistent, skillful misrepresentation of
the Chief Executives character and
record can attain it's purpose or
whether the Republican voters will
accord William H. Taft the endorse
ment due a great and true public SER
want.
believe in President Taft because
he stands for the substance of things.
My intercourse with him has been not
as a political appointee but as the
chief of a scientific bureau, which
has largely to do with the public do
main and its resources, and I offer no
hear-say testimony when | assert that
conservation of the natural resources
of the nation has had no truer, no
more consistent. no more intelligent
friend than President Taft In the
amount of new and advanced legisla-
ton he has secured and in the i'm
partial enforcement he has given to
the existing statues relating to this,
as we'll as other progressive policies,
he has been an executive OF deeds
rather than of words.
believe in President Taft because
he stands for the square deal. Whetl.-
err it be the case of the day
week of the oyerworked employees
of the powerful steel corporation, or
that of the unjust treatment of a
in Government service,
that comes to his notice, Mr. Taft's
judicial temperament, which even is
held up to ridicule, prompts him both
to ascertain the truth and to secure
Justice. Then, the wrong righted, he
regards the incident closed, and de-
sires no newspaper publicity given to
these deeds which are examples OF
Presidents efficiency in matters. small
perhaps to the nation, but large to the
individual concerned If any 1912
candidate is to be likened to the
greatest Republican President is mol
Mr.. Tatt's talent for sympathy with
the individual at least suggestive of
the Christ-like humanity of Abraham
Lincoln? Does not this earnest advo-
cate of world peace possess a broth
to the great heart who
Ionged and worked for a reunited and
peaceful nation?
| believe in President Taft because I
lie stands for an advanced social pro-
gram and for moral uplift. As Il citi-
zen of Washington, and as President /
If the Young Mems Christian Asso- .
'iation, know President Taft's en-
husiastic Willingness to help WHEREBY
II opportunities offers. Not only pub
icly but also privately he often eX-
presses his interest in the spiritual |
success of churches other than his
'wn, and in the worldwide progress
If Christian missions. Charged with
favors to the Catholic church
md with extending unprecedented
recognition to Protestant causes, he
S emphatic in his expression of be-
ief in the separation of Church and
state, and constant in his exhibition
If personal friendliness TO all denom-
| believe in President Taft because
lie stands for duty rather than popu-
arity, for performance rather than
for straightforward methods
ather than evasive compromise. Per-
onal knowledge of incidents in his
YORK as President serves to convince
ne that Mr.. Taft believes no political
nd is sufficiently important to just
ify adoption of any but honorable
means, Those who believe that the
'eatitudes and the rest of the Sermon
n the Mount can be taken into public
fairs, as well as the Ten Command
lents, can find much in the every day
administration of our present Chief
Executive to warrant their belief.
The Man Who Ts oval