Surely that experience did not take anything from his competency or his knowledge. His experience as governor of the Philippine Islands, where he made an enviable reputation in administering those islands in the most turbulent period of their history, was a greater experience and gave him more knowledge of public affairs than any of his critics ever have had or ever will have.
Upstart like Jonathan Bourne, Jr., picked up in the wilds of Oregon and transported to Washington, D.C., and installed by the little coterie of would-be republican leaders as press agent, to tell real Americans what to think, and what they stand for, to say that Mr. Taft is "mentally irresponsible" and intimate that the former president has lost his mind is an insult that real Americans will resent.
Mr. Taft is so far above Jonathan Bourne and his employers and the editors who publish his newspaper, that there can be no comparison. Some men are so weak mentally that they think the only way to cut any figure in politics is to abuse some great man.
The association of Bourne is secretary, sends out several times a week, letters containing just such silly twaddle as appeared in the Grangeville Globe recently, about Mr. Taft being "mentally irresponsible" and ask that newspapers publish this "The organization calls "kind of rot."
Itself the "Republican Publicity Association" but we cannot believe that the men and women who make up the Grand Old Party ever heard of this organization or ever will endorse its campaign of misrepression and vilification.  This association should be suppressed and denied the use of the mails. 