Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-30
Mr.. Taft Blows lilo, and Cola

N/ I'LL his communication, printed in an
w olher column, our correspondent, w. b.
orioilt. sends copy OF Il letter published i'm
inc baltimore Sun. which sharply calls at
lehtion to the anomalous situation i'm which
MI. Tai, now finds himself in his effort In
dlscredit the President and support AIR
hughes Under ordinary circumstances AIR
la1t would lind only the same difficulties
that confront Mr.. Hughes in his attempi to
peii''ie "lsohs achievements that is, the
very magnitude of those achievements.
But as the letter referred to points ont
Mr.. Taft has estopped himself from legitimate
criticism OF the President by the feryor of
ms former eulogies of his course. or the
many quotations from Mr.. Tuft's speeches
gwen. only few are necessary to show tbr
sl'r'hs Inconsistency OF his present attitude
as an active opponent OF Wilson and his
policies. On July IS, 1914. lie wrote.
II is real satisfaction to one who
2 i" the the White s%HteTT Io or ntrNn ela3s
IN" t'" Mhien n"% Jir improving me eprS,
s S%a, is Which in The The
na ;ndS in in pc, powe ,, is fulfilling it's promiss
lSa n.r,; the n;a sHid:!nss Of the
pie with the party's responsibility.
Commenting on the first Lusitania note,
July p, 1915. he said:
The note succinctly. forcibly and final
y presents the just attitude of the
nave, and should haze approval OF the
american people in maintaining il.
few days later, on September 8. 1915,
at the San Francisco Exposition the OK
President now turned critic said, i'm regard
TO the submarine controversy:
The very recent news from Washing
Fresi shaWS Wiz the firm a attituda Of
rights OF our noncombatant eitizens ' om
comme ere liners of belligerents TO be
SAFE , from drowning without warning
'''" :tii opportunity for rescue has been
aG nd s5o,la IN by nc Germnny This mus,
de ej,s;nm ~, b! every american and the
dent.
And only few weeks before that he paid
the President high tribute as even the
heart OF the strictest party man could desire
when lie said at Bryn Mawr, Pa OIL June 4
1915:
IL, If We n., had a lingo in the White House.
'iermany instead our chief executive
hity and realizes that consderng the
temper Of the people !" turn OF his hand
conflict
In regard to the Colonel. with whom he
has shaken hands and buried the hatchet-
al least for campaign purposes--Mr. Taft's
opinion was also clear and definite. Less
than year ago, in discussing the move for
preparedness before the Chicago Association
OF Commerce, on December 10, 1916 he said:
us who favor the League OF Peace as
men WHO are prattling about it. He
says we need {. great standing army.
The truth is when Roosevelt gets talk
ing about warlikc matters he ny
rs Mars does the horizon red
color, and we must take his statements
with that in view. on tho whole. I ia
vor President Wilson'S policy OF pre-
parcuness.
The fact is. Mr.. Taft has blown hot and
blown cold. Before the campaign began, he
Judged the Presidents actions by the tand-
ards OF scholar, a jurist and a man OF
experience in the Office whose many and try
ing difficulties he well knew Deliberately.
judicially and fully. he Endorsed the Presi-
dent and his policies. Now, for no other APP
parent reason than party politics. he opposes
the man whose course he commended Such
support for Mr. Hughes can carry no con-
rictiOn.
If he is wise man, Commissioner Peters
VIII be discreet in the exercise of his right
To search the homes Of citizens.