Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1907-06-26
TAFT'S HIGH HOPES
PRESIDENTIAL PROSPECTS OF
THE OHIO MAN.
He u Greatly Admired as Citizens
Jurist and Statesman, But Lead
ing Protectionists Question
Whether He Is Suffic lent
Iy Sound in Their
Economic Faith.

Events Of an unusual character
nave conspired to project into the
arena of public discussion the aspira-
tons of Hon. William H. Taft for
nomination as the Republican candi-
date for president of the United
States. Fully IA months prior to the
assembling of the national convention
Mr.. Taft comes out in the open as
seeker after this great distinction.
With almost equal opcnncss the
declaration is made that he is the
administration candidate"
In a recent issue of the Morning
Call OF Paterson appears a significant
letter from one Of the foremost citi-
zens of New Jersey, Col. William Bar
bour. chairman OF the executive com
mittee of the American Protective
Tariff League, as follows:
New York. April %, 19O7.-To the
Editor of the Call: In last Saturdays
Call, under the heading, Taft Boom
in the State you printed an article
that would lead the reader to sup
pose that Secretary Taft was the
choice of the Republican party in New
Jersey to succeed President Roose-
Welt
Having had the privilege OF rep
resonting the Sixth district at so
many national conventions, may ! say
Tor myself, and on behalf OF the many
friends | have consulted. that when
the time comes to nominate the next
president, who will undoubtedly be
named by the Republican party, the
=flt Of
ter protectionist to occupy the White
House than Mr.. Taft?
IF we are to continue to enjoy the
prosperous times to which we are
entitled so long as our country is
blessed with bountiful crops. the tar
In must be let alone, and Mr.. Taft
must speak out on this great question,
rs Mckinley did and Vice President
Fairbanks has, before visiting con
gressmen can hope to make many
friends for Mr. Taft in the great man
ufacturing state of New Jersey. Very
truly yours
"WIILIAM BARBOUR"
When Col. Barbour thus early raises
the question whether Judge Taft is a
good enough protectionist to com
mand the support OF great industrial
state like New Jersey. it is an evil
Icncc that the time has arrived when
ne Taft candidacy must be taken seri-
ously. Only a few days previous to
The publication of the Barbour letter
lion. Theodore II. Burton, represen-
LatiVe in congress from Ohio, paid
visit to New Jersey. The object of
mis- visit was clearly revealed in
speech before a New Jersey audience
appealing for New Jerseys undivided
support of the Taft candidacy. AS
Col. Barbour has a rather larger in
terest in New Jersey affairs than the
ONO congressman can possibly have
and as the moment for plain speaking
rad plainly arrived. il seems both
natural and proper that a protest
should be fled against the unripe as
sumption that New Jersey was GO
ing 10 be solid for an Ohio aspirant
Col. Barbour questions whether so
doubtful q ProtectiCnist as judge Taft
can command the solid support of The
Now Jersey delegation in ncXt years
Republican national convention. MANY
rTotectionists have similar doubts as
to the delegations from other states
II Is believed that even in Ohio. Mr.
Tatt's own state, there are many such
protectio1ists
This opposition to the Taft can.
didacy is based upon no feeling of i'll
will toward the man himself Far
from it. Secretary Taft is warmly
esteemed and greatly admired for his
splendid abilities as jurist AID states
man. He is indeed most loyable
sort OF man. albeit strong fighter
ard hard hitter. He fights in the
open, and what nc says you can de-
pend on. But is he protectionist?
Mr.. Tafts strenuous advocacy of
free trade in Philippine products com.
pcting with the products of American
agriculture stamps him as a devoted
friend of the semi.servile and half.
savage Filipino. but it does not make
him out protectionist.
Mr. Taft's persistence in the matter
or purchasing i'm foreign markets
materials and supplies for tho con.
struction Of the Panama canal was
doubtless actuated BY a desire to on.
force strict economy i'm the canal ex
pcnditures. but It was mistaken
economy-the economy of those who
urge that the right thing to do is to
buy everything in the cheapest mar.
ket, and that protective tariff that
gives the home market 20 home pro-
duction and labor is morally wrong
The congress took issue with Sccrc.
taiy Iaits economic views and or.
dered him to spend American money
IN American mills and factories.
Early in tho campaign of 1906 Mr.
Tart made a speech In Maine in which
he pronounced for immediate revision
downward OF the Dinglcy tariff
Doubtless he honestly believed II to
D" true when ne said that Republican