Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1907-10-04
THE GREAT ~POSTPONER"

Secretary Taft in his eagerly awaited
speech delivered before the Buckeye
Republican club at Columbus last
night, furnishes the complete denial to
the taunt that the democratic party ahas
no issue" on which TO make next years
campaign. He disposes Of tie jibe that
Roosevelt has stolen all Of Brynn's
thunder by proving, to his own satistac-
ton at least, that Roosevelt's policies
and Bryan's are entirely dissimilar, His
object in doing this is not to please the
federal element, eince the radicals link
Bryan and Roosevelt. Contraiwise, he
makes u linReringly tender appeal for
conservative support for his party, his
president and himself.
Particularly does the secretary appeal
for conservative support for the presi-
Dental candidacy Of William Howard
Taft. For just as he shows that Roose-
welt is radical. And in the process he
effectively Rud completely escorts him
self out OF the political house Of Bryan
and I1aFollette, and slams the loo
behind him.
He supports the interlocutory decsee
in court review OF the rate bill which
Bryan and LaFollette opposed.
He favors agreements as to rates be-
tween competing railroads, subject, OF
course, to the assent of the interstate
commerce commission.
He ~asserts, in opposition TO Bryan and
LaFoDette, that the total Of ouistand
ing railroad securities Is mot much, il
any, in excess Of the present physical
value.'
He proclaims the doctrine that the
Importance Of government matchmaking
u much exaggerated," asserting that
Discrimination is the chief evil. Here
10 Is entirely in accord with Foraker and
the late lamented railroad press bureau.
On the trust question Secretary Taft
il q mere echo of Mark Hanna. Som
nations of capital are necessary" the
government should not interfere unless
-; there are "lawiul trusts as we'll as
Gnlawful;" Sgood trusts as well as bnd;'
he more aggregation OF all plants in
ole ownership does 10 suppress com.
petition, ? the antitrust lawa should be
II nended so as TO distinguish better be-
igeen alawiui' agreements and those
T. at are pernicious, etc., etc. And SO
I sturally MI. Taft takes issue with Mr..
yam in his announcement that the
trusts should be extirpated, root and
bunch"
Secretary Taft differs from boil
Roosevelt and Bryan as to a federal
license for interstate corporations. He
locke on that policy with suspicion and
distrust.
lie takee issue with both Bryan and
Roosevelt by opposing a federal inher-
iiaDce tax and a federal income tax
nn'ess and until the rev
enues require them. He does not favor
eit er now.
~ to the tariff, he favors its revision
-by the republican party only aas 1901
aftcr the next election rs possible" IL
congressional committees ehall decide
after investigation, that it ought to be
revised!
I lis speech, with its declaration OF
principles, will DO a comfort and a stay
to ti'at element Of the republican party
thai has fought Roosevelt most bitterly.
II viii appeal to that element OF pre-.
teo !sd democrats" that hus been
scar hing for "a good southern candi-
date But il will prove disappointing
and .discouraginR TO millions of good
republicans who had hoped to make
tIei. a progressive party, radical and
militant in its opposition to wrong how
eysi strongly i%ntrenchcd, and injustice
wherever found. Herald.