The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1907-08-22
MIR. TAFT'S SPEECH.


Those of the race who expected to
De enlightened rs If any further en-
nShtment was necessary upon
the attitude of the administers
t'on toward the Brownsville al
fray by Secretary Taft were sadly
disappointed, In the last paragraph
but one Of a twelve column speech
Mr.. Taft paid his respects to the
famous case fn"these words:
THE attitude Of the President and
thc war Department and the reasons
for the actions taken in respect to
the Iwenty-hfth Infantry were suf-
hclently set forth in the communica-
tons by the President and by me,
sent to Congress with the evidence
then taken. Since that time, the
Senate Committee on Military Al
fairs has taken 5000 printed pages
OF evidence in the same matter, and
the hearing Is not concluded. Until
the hearing is closed and the COM
mlttee makes its report, it would be
premature for me, In view Of nv
official rela atoms to the matter, to OK
press an opinion as to the effect of
the Senate evidence on the issue
which the President decided"
Prof. Kelly Miller APPLY defines the
issues of life today when he SAYS
they ARE material rather than moral.
and are placed on hard, uusen-
tlmental metallic basis. The dollar
is the highest common devisor of
values. in terms of which we meas
q nf
even human rights" One has but to
read Mr.. Taft's speech to be con-
WINGED that the Secretary of War is
Of the present-day school,, The par
amount issues with him are rail
roads, trusts, and tax and train. A
summary is:
Never was such united opposition
to any national measure by the rail
roads SO strong as that against the
rate bill.
The Elkins bill was supported by
the railroads because it eliminated
the penitentiary penalty, which the
rate bill restored.
If the rate bill was harmless, why
was 1T SO strongly opposed?
The evil of overcapitaliZation
would not justify Federal restraint,
but the practice tends to divert
money from improvements into the
pockets Of dishonest spectators
Interstate roads should not be al
lowed to issue stock or bonds with
out certificate from the Interstate
Commerce Commission that the Sc
curlties are issued for legitimate
railroad purposes.
OnnOSph To EOvnrnn
ownership"
The new law will lead to the set
Element of claims without suit, as in
many cases of personal injuries
There must be something more
than union Of capital and plant be-
fore the law is violated; either CO.
erclon to buy from one concern or
put a competitor out OF business.
Secret rebates enabled the Stand
dard and the Sugar Trust to reap il
legal harvest.
II think the Imprisonment Of one
or two managers Of unlawful trusts
would have healthy effect"
State Legislatures have complete
control Of what shall be done with
mans property on his death.
Il do not favor Federal legislation
now to reduce swollen fortunes by
llCoIle or inheritance tax,
The Wall street slump not due to
the Presidents policies.
The laws must not punish guilty
rich and let the guilty poor escape.
Bryan's theories are based on dis
trust of the honesty Of Individuals
The tariff question will be up to
Congress at the proper Hme.
From which it requires no abnor-
NAL perspicacity to perceive that Mr..
Taft as an understudy to the Presi-
dent leaves nothing to be desired.
He is pat on the Rooseveltan policies
and may be depended upon to crack
the Dlutocratic head whenever or
wherever it hobs up. And it is also
evident that he is not going to- take
any chances on the office missing his
house when it starts out to seek the
man, but will do little rustling
around for the Office In the mean
time the other fellows are also seek
ing the office to the exclusion Of sea
serpent and fish stories from the col
umns Of our fayorite dailieG.