The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-03-29
PRESIDENT TAFT DESIRES
VERDICT OF WHOLE NATION

(By Willis J. Abbot, in Chicago Dali,
News.)
WASHINGTON, d. c., March 49,
The speech of Secretary Stimson a
Chicago seems to have reused Roose
welt and his followers to a degree O
Indignation verging on wrath. Yet
after all, it was only mild and dis
passionate statement of the reasons
President Taft believes that he should
subject the record of his administra
ton to the test of an election.
1t happened that I went to Chicago
in the same car with the secretary Of
war. In the course Of that journey
man who few days before had TAX
en- luncheon at the White House, and
who is an idolator of Roosevelt, told
of the way in which the President ex
plains his present attitude.
During the luncheon" said this
man, the question was put bluntly
to the President as to his relations
]
in about this wise:
"I served under President Roose
welt, as you know, in many capacities
Our relations always were the most
cordial He. was an ideal chief, help
full in suggestion, inspiriting in direc
ton. Never was there a man more
loyal to his subordinates than he. We
never clashed during his administra
ton, and at it's end he made me pres
ident of the United States.
Taft Stands on Record.
But maintaining, as l do, my big
regard and esteem for him, believe
that as president l owe it to the ma
ton to act according to the dictates
of my conscience and my reason.
have tried so to do. The record OF
my administration is open to the scru.
tiny of all the people, and I think it
only right to ask that a verdict be
rendered upon it by a, vote on my can
didacy for reelection. 1t does not
seem to me that the mere action of a
party convention in accepting or re-
jecting my candidacy is the sort of
verdict ! am entitled to ask. l should
be given the opportunity to present
my case to the whole people and it is
for that reason that l am seeking a
denomination"
My informant said that the little
speech the president addressed to his
guests was impressive, both in man
ner and in diction, and that no one
present failed to recognize his earn
estness and his determination not to
be drawn into any personal contro-
Iversy with his lifetime personal friend
and present political foe.
In Washington there is scant belief
in the ability of Roosevelt to wrest
the nomination from Taft. Even the
rapid fire pToclamations from Senator
DiXon's headquarters have had but
little effect upon congressional senti-
ment. But l found that political cir
cles in Chicago were filled to the cir
conference with Rooseveltism.
Lorimer's Aid Injuries Taft
Secretary Stimsons able address,
though widely heralded as the open
ing gun of the Taft campaign, was de-
livered in a small hall and that was
scantily filled The secretary suffered
as well as the cause he represents, by
the apparent Identification of the Taft
movement in Illinois with Billy"
Lorimer
Illinois Republicans seem to be rec
onciled to the idea of losing the gov
|ernorship and the electoral vote Of
the state in this falls election They
cling, however, to the hope that the
! gerrymander of the state may give
them the senatorship Whether this
will prove the fact will depend largely
upon the astuteness of the Democratic
campaign management
For years past the dominant forces
in the Illinois Democratic organiza-
ton have been content to be in the
minority in the state legislature, and
have, in fact, nominated so few candi-
dates for the legislature that if all
were elected the party still would be
in the minority
In Illinois the election law permits