The Washington herald., 1907-05-22
WEDNESDAY. MAY o, 1901.
The stnndnatter,s Last stand.

With grape and sLrapnel, the old guard
Of protectionists are shellng the woods
thus early in the battle 10 develop the
enemy for 1893 They are training their
guns with careful aim az the spots sup
posed 20 be occupied by every eligible
leader of the Republican forces thus far
mentioned. Particularly calling IS the
fire they are pouring in upon William
Howard Taft and EIihu Root. Both have
been marked for destruction. Mr.. Root
made the agreement with Germany by
which the United States is enabled to re-
tain its trade with that country for the
probationary period of one year, during
which time German imports are permitted
to enter the United States on terms that
probably will enlarge Germauy's trade
with US. For this NT. Root is anathema
maranatha. Also he declared for the
maximum and minimum principle In a
speech delivered at the Trans-Mississippi
Commercial Congress. held at Kansas
City last autumn. This puts him wholly
beyond the pale we felt that Elihu
Root was perhaps our best equipped man
for the succession" says Theodore JUS
tice. director of the American Pro-
tective Tariff League, but as Secretary
of State he has made an agreement with
Germany by which that country is per
mitted 70 value its goods which il ex-
ports 20 the United States" This high
priest then declares: That eliminates
Root from the list of possible candidates" "
Secretary Taft comes next on the roll
Of those marked for slaughter. The
Ohi0an sizes up as a well-equipped man
for the Office Of President" s0lemnly
asseverates the censorious Mr. Justice
who then i'm horror exclaims: But Taft
has advocated free trade with the Philip
pines" and that eliminates Taft from
the contest" In the view Of the stiff
necked and myopic standpatters repre-
sented by Mr.. Justice. nobody is now
left worthy Of consideration for the Re
publican nomination but Speaker Cannon
and Leslie N. Shaw. We have heard
ominous rumors about Uncle Joe's disiu-
clination to stand hitched much longer
10 the stand-pat post, and should he breal
away we assume that none but Mr.. Shaw
viii be left. Thus the prospect Of the
standpatters is not as brilliant as theil
cock-sure attitude at the present conjunc-
ture plainly indicates is their belief.
begins TO look 20 us as if they will have q
horrifying awakening from their dream
Of safety before long.
As 20 Secretary Taft, he must needs
plead guilty not only 10 the accusation o
favoring absolute free trade with the
Philippines. but also to the even mor'
heinous charge Of being a tariff reformer
revisionist, or readiuster-cither term t
as hateful 70 the standpatters. II is note
worthy that thus far in the progress o.
events toward 1905 Mr.. Taft is one of TIM
few conspicuous Republicans who hav
shown by public utterance the courage o
conviction on the question Of tariff re
form. On Wednesday. September >, 1896
in a speech at Bath. Me, the Secretary o
War used these moderate but pregnan
words:
Speaking my individual opinion. and for no on
else belieTe that since the passage Of the Diuge
bin there has been change in the business c1nd
ti1ns Of the country making it wise and Just {
revise the existing tariff TIE sentiment in fave
Cf a revision uf the tariff Is growing IN the Repui
Hcan party and in the near future the members
the party VIII doubtless be able % agree on a 70.
souable plan How soon the feeling in fave
Of revision shall ~-staliize into action cannot b
foretold but It IS certain TO come and with it tho.
schedules Of the tariff which have inequalities an
are excessive VIII b. reafig=ted The reasouabl
prospect Of a revision Of the tariff by the Rerul
Iican party on conservative lines should certainly
greatly preferred iy those who favor revision 1u
yet believe iu the protective system 90 ieCislati0
which is always threatened by the incoming Of
Democratic ConEr,-s and Democratic adminiztr
ton"
These are brave words, though mod
crate. We commend them 10 the consider
alton Of everybody. irrespective Of part
affliation. We believe they express tn
sane Democratic view Of the tariff.