New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-07-06
TAFT Will REMAIN
As Chief JUSTICE
Continued from First Page)

| Continued from First Page)
| years ago in his home on Wyoming
avenue. 1t IL third.floor room,
jutting out from the main structure
of the house. Formerly a sleeping
porch, 1t has windows on three sides
and provides what the chief justice
described with his infectious chucklc
as "a commanding view." In the
center Of the room stands a large
desk. Between the windows rise
stacks OF law books. On the fourth
side is an open fireplace. and above
it hangs large portrait Of the chief
Justices father. Nearby are pictures
of Abraham Lincoln and OF various
personal friends. including Elihu
Root and President Lowell of Har-
ward.
Speaks of 1T. r."
As he approaches his comparison
Of the two great offices he has held,
Mr.. Taft made a passing reference
to Theodore Roosevelt. Although
he has near him no memento of the
years of his association with Roose-
welt. the chief justice mentioned
without ruffle in his customary
god nature the man who was his
staunchest political friend and then
his bitter opponent. He related how
Roosevelt had offered him place
on the supreme bench. At that time
Taft was governor general OF the
Philippines, and he refused the Of
fer.
II declined because It was not
deemed wise at that time. from
Philippine standpoint to have
change in the office Of governor" he
said. The people wanted me TO
stay, and I yielded, although it had
always been my ambition to serve
on the bench. I do not care for
politics"
With a smile that rippled into
hearty laugh. he added:
mot that l have no interest in
such matter, but I am not fitted for
the hustlings and controversy"
He enlarged upon this theme by
pointing out that with him eleva-
ton to the highest judicial office in
the country had not. as with some
Of his predecessors, broken personal
contacts with friends or with the
people generally. He-retains keen
interest in current events and reads
much; and he does not find himself
lonesome for the society Of office
seekers and politicians.
II do not mind what is some
times called the monastic life of the
bench" he continued. II have most
delightful associates in the court,
and very pleasant relations with
members of the bar. These are. 1t
should be noted. exactly defined,
but the truth is you are more isolat-
ed in the presidency. While a presi-
dent sees a great many people. he
cannot avoid defending himself
against too great familiarity. He
has got to be reserved and careful.
Didn't Like Presidency.
1.-THE responsibilities OF the. presi-
is constituted like an ordinary man.
life in the presidency. while not re-
curing the same mental and intel
lectual labor that attaches to the
chief justiceship, does enormously
consume nervous energy, and is
more trying than work on the
bench.
THE difference between the exac-
lions OF the two offices Is that in
work on the bench you have the as
sistance Of your colleagues. who
share in the responsibility of the
conclusions, the benefit Of oral ar
guments by counsel. and OF briefs
submitted on both sides Of the con-
troversy.
And you have control Of your
time for careful study. In the presi-
dency you often have to make a de-
cision Of a. question on the instant or
overnight, or in so short a time
that the risk OF mistake is great,
and then you have not the benefit
OF argument on both sides. often no
argument on either. and you cannot
always consult your cabinet.
"Of course the presidency is the
office that attracts In the sense of
power one is supposed to exercise.
and there are those who greatly en-
joy its constant exercise. But even
in the strongest it takes much out
of a man, and the strain is felt long
after retirement to private life.
1.-THE character Of work on the
bench. Its steadiness and the regu-
larity with which you can order your
life. il you do not overdo the social
part, makes 1t consistent with long
life. hard as the work u.s."
Plans Vacation
The chief justice added that, he |
now can enjoy a real vacation
he could not do while
president. He puts aside entirely the |
duties of the court during his sum-
ner recess, and at his place oh MUIR !
ray Cove. Canada, has a genuine
respite from work, and makes the |
most of 1t. But 1t is quiet vacation.
'or he has been warned by his physi-
sian that he must not overtax his
heart.
II gather all the books car be-
'ore starting on my vacation" he
explained. land spend most OF my
line on my porch overlooking the st.
which is nearly 10 miles
across. Free from study and con-
'entration ! rest until late in the
,acation. when I receive briefs filed
Turing the recess to enable me to
latch up little before starting upon
'eal work of the court when I get
Jack"
He continued that his doctors adj
ice had led him to give up the golf
" his presidential days, to abandon