The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-07-06
As the Editors See II.

1t Is worthy OF note that the editors
attending the national convention at In
dianapolis are practically unit on the
issues which should dominate the next
national campaign. Newspapers re-
fleet popular opinion more than they
ever did before. Years ago they were
called "moulders" of opinion, but even
then the title was more or less of mis-
homer. Today they are expressive OF
the sentiment that prevails in their re-
spective circles and in matters polite
are very reliable barometers.
1t is interesting therefore to observe
that these editors, both Republican and
Democratic, declare themselves in favor
of tariff revision and trust regulation,
and it follows as a matter of course that
in these two particulars they are in &C.
cord with the great public mind, and
unless conditions change it may be set
down for a certainty that the platforms
of the two leading parties will contain
planks to meet these views. That con
ditions as to trusts may change is not an
unreasonable conjecture. President
Roosevelt has been emphatic in his
recommendation for regnlative legisla.
ton and something has been accom-
plished in this direction. He will pro-
badly pursue his policy in the next con-
gress and may succeed i'll giving the
people what they want before the
national conventions are held.
He is less likely to pry the lid off
tariff legislation, although his opinion
is we'll known. He is in harmony with
his party as to the Importance of main
tanning the principle of protection, but
he is not in sympathy with the stand
patters who regard the Dingley sched-
ules as sacred, and with the present
grave reform problems satisfactorily
solved, he may turn his attention to
tariff legislation. But he thoroughly
appreciates the strength of the opposi-
ton.
While there is popular impression
that the tariff should be revised, no two
sections of the country agreed as to the
manner of revision, and herein lies the
difficulty. The standpatters are solldly
entrenched behind this division of
sentiment and it is no mean task to
dislodge them. The declaration of
Bryan, however, in favor of tariff re-
duction to point where reciprocal
treaties shall be unnecessary, may
clarity the situation as inviting an
issue between free trade and protection,
and if he maintains this position the
Republicans should be able, by promis-
ing REIMBURSEMENT of schedules on a
scientific basis, to weld the antifree
traders into great fighting machine.
AS to candidates, the editors are also
agreed, the Democrats for Bryan and
the Republicans for Roosevelt if he will
accept 1t needs no keen analyst to
discern that, in this respect, too, the
editors are rejecting the opinion Of the
people The Bryan wave has spread
into every Democratic camp, and as it
extends it adds strength to the Roose-
!, welt movement. There is that in this
sudden growth of Democratic approval
of Bryan which suggests challenge,
and the Republicans are quick to accept
it. AS the matter stands today the
Democratic unanlmity for Bryan will
be no more pronounced than the Repub-
lican unanimity for Roosevelt, and as
to whether the latter will permit this
movement to grow, depends largely, we
think, on the developments of the next
twelve months. While he is averse to
another term, he is too much of a
patriot to Xelinquish his work half
finished. AS The Blade prophesied inn
mediately after his declaration made on
the night of his election, the contin-
gency must be grave indeed before
Theodore Roosevelt will alter his pur-
pose. Will such contingency arise?-
TO1adn Dloda