Founding father Tao Pai-chuan in hospital

KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) yesterday visited former national policy advisor Tao Pai-chuan (陶百川) and his wife, both of whom have been hospitalized for respiratory tract infection.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is scheduled to make a visit today and will confer a medal on Tao to recognize his contribution to Taiwan. Tao celebrated his 100th birthday last month.

Born in Shaohsing, Chechiang Province in 1902, Tao once served as a Control Yuan member and an advisor to late president Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國) and former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝).

While serving as a Control Yuan member, Tao put his name in the history books by investigating the 228 incident and the case of General Sun Li-jen (孫立人), who was accused of attempting to organize a coup to overthrow Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石).

He also won himself a resounding reputation because he refused to take bribes.

A law specialist, Tao, who earned two master's degrees in law in Shanghai and attended Harvard University, was one of the drafters of the ROC Constitution.

Dubbed as a stout guardian of human rights, Tao was the only KMT member to participate in the launch ceremony of the DPP when it was founded in 1986.

During the martial law era, Tao's sympathy for the DPP was seen as a bridge between the rebellious party and the KMT regime.

Because of Tao's acclaimed international reputation, the KMT hesitated to persecute him, although troops once surrounded his home after he had written some articles advocating democracy.