The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-30
TAFT HAS FAITH
Former President Says Repub-
licanS VIII Win in 1915.
But He Refuses to Discuss
Presidential Possibilities.

Washington. March 80. - Former
President Taft, although declaring
that he is out of politics, is optimistic
over the future of the Republican
party. During his brief stay in Wash
ington he declined to discuss the avail
ability of any of the men mentioned
AS possible nominees at the next con-
vention but said he was confident the
Republican party would be restored
| to power at the next presidential cleo
ton.
81 believe there is excellent reason
for Republicans to feel confident with
regard to the future of the party,
said Mr.. Taft at the Boardman resi-
dence, where he was guest during
| his stay in the city.
! my observation and what I learn
convince me that Republicans are get
ting together and that the coming
campaign will open under most salts
ton of unrest and uneasiness with re-
spect to our present economic and
business conditions and Dissatisfaction
with policies that have been enforced
that cannot be removed SO long as the
advocates of these policies have con-
troll of the government.
1.-The eyes of the country are again
turned toward the Republicans and
the great mass of the people have had
it impressed upon them that there can
be permanent prosperity only when
Republican policies dominate our ma
tional affairs. I am Republican OPP
timiSt and believe that 1916 will wit
ness the end of Democratic power in
this country"
About Candidates.
And who will be the candidate of
the party or whom do you think the
Republicans should nominate ?" Mr..
Taft was asked.
oh" he replied laughingly. ct
have formed no opinion on that sub
for 1 am not now in politics, you
know. The Republican party is not
lacking in available and competent
men. A number have been suggested
and a good man will be found when
the time comes for the party to agree
upon its candidate"
Recently a number of the Republi-
can papers throughout the country
have had much to say about the adj
visa bility of renominating Mr.. Taft,
just as Cleveland was renominated
after having been defeated by Harri-
son.
With this fact in mind Mr.. Taft
was asked:
Are you out of politics-for good ?''
Il am just a professor now" he
laughingly rejoined. Il am too busy
with that profession to be a poll
tician."
Seems Content.
The former president with his ever
present good humor and amiabtlity
positively declined to discuss men. He
did not say fatty. that he never again
would re-enter the political field but
he conveyed the impression of man
who was thoroughly satisfied with his
present state. He said he delivered
four lectures a week at Yale and these
were so arranged that he could devote
a portion of his tim to law lectures
at other educational institutions,
which occupied all of his time, al
though they give him the opportunity
to visit other sections of the country
and kept him in touch with the public
thought.
With regard to the administration
policy toward the present European
war and the situation in Mexico the
former president was extremely reti-
cent.
81 have my own views. of course
he said. But this is not the time to
discuss these matters publicly
Mr.. Taft said it was the duty, of this
government to remain absolutely neu-s
trail in the conflict now raging and
that there We're always difficulties IN
following such a course. KS
Under such circumstances he
said, both criticism and commenda-
ton were to be expected from the cit
izen, depending upon the personal
views of the individual" When Mex
leo was mentioned his silence was i'm
preSSive.