The Washington herald., 1907-04-11

Grover Cleveland's recent observation
that legislation such as that proposed for
the regulation OF railroads should be
formulated and discussed in a quiet hour
becomes luminous with new significance
in the light Of events still fresh In the
public mind. Mr.. Cleveland had in mind
popular frenzy akin to that which has
characterized current controversy over
the relations OF corporations and the gov
ernment, or more accurately, the rela-
tions of corporations with the party now
in control of our national destinies,
though he was speaking more particularly
of conditions in the several States, not
Of those at the seat of the Federal gov
ernment. The time has struck for Mr.
Cleveland's quiet hour, for a calmer con-
slderation of the real issues which are
thought to be at stake in the present po-
litical situation.
Mr.. ROOseyelts corporation policy rep
resents a true conservatism. for it aims
at preserving the proper relations which
should exist between the government and
its creatures, and tends to correct serious
evils in the conduct of modern business
which should be remedied sand which
may be remedied by well-devised and
Well-enforced law. That this policy
should become a fixture OF our national
administration, and that IL should be re
enforced, if necessary. by further legisla-
ton, is a proposition to which the public
gives hearty assent.
But is this policy inseparable from Mr..
Roosevelt personally? Is it likely 20
perish with his administration, OF die
out with his retirement from Office
The Presidents extraordinary popularity,
based largely on his consistent effort 10
bring incorporated wealth within the bond
OF the law. supplies ready negative 20
these questions. His great public serv-
ice in this direction is freely and un-
grudgingly acknowledged by all. He has
built up a body of public opinion formed
of many diverse elements. He has com
bined radicalism with conservatism. and
gathered upon the same platform rail-
way presidents and locomotive fremen
the capitalist and the workman, the mil
lionaire and the common people. And by
50 doing he has laid a firm foundation for
the continuation of his economic policy
has made il practically impossible in
fact. for anybody 10 step into his shoes
without the consent Of the constituency
which stands behind his contest with
predatory wealth
! Yet Mr.. Roosevelt seems bent on making
the succession TO the Presidency so faI
as his own party Is concerned. a persona
matter From the White House there is
/ being conducted. more than year ir
/ advance OF the time for the assemblsgC
of a national convention. heated cam
paign for the control of that convention
/ His political activities may be eondOned
and they may not be. but AT all event.
| they confuse the issue, which is no
whether Mr. Roosevelt shall dominate NJ;
party, but whether certain governments
/ reforms shall become the permanent pos
/ session of the people. And that issue vii
be determined rot so much by persona
control OF a political party as by the pre-
dominance of the public opinion whicI
now supports the President publ
opinion that ought 20 and undoubtedl.
would stand behind the endeavors Of an.
honest, upright, and well-intentioned maj
10 administer the Presidential Office with
out fear or favor.