New-York tribune., 1908-08-20
TAFT GAINING In WEST
BUT EAST is 1PATHETIC.
Such Reports Reach Candidate
Need of Energy Emphasized
- relsrrach . The Tribans.


Hot SDrinrs Va Aug 19.-When the nattona.
conventions had made their respective rornina-
tions it was generally believed and Irequsil'is
asserted that the Republican nominee wouio e'1
perience no difficulty whatever in carrying 'ns
East that the fighting ground would be m 'ns
West and that appearances seemed 20 'noi~@'s
that Mr. Bryan's strength in the middle ana
far West had increased Judging by the re-
ports now reaching the Republican candidate
there has been considerable reversal OF TINS
situation; not that Mr. Bryan has gained any
strength in the East but that he has lost
ground in the West while apathy is becoming
manifest in the East
Every report from the middle and Far Wesl
indicates increased strength for Mr. Taft Ger
tain reports from the middle and far East. u
New York and New England may be SO termed
describe a lack OF energy and enthusiasm which
cannot but be regarded unfortunate Pc
ports from unofficial sources IN Vermont which
is to hold it's state election September l. and
from Maine which will hold its election on
September Il. are far from encouraging; not
that there is the slightest likelihood Of a Demo
cratic victory in either state but that there -
danger that Republican majOrities Of sufficient
size to afford the moral encouragement which
is so desirable viii not be rolled up Conrdent
OF success for their state tickets as well as OF
the election of Republican members Of the cleo
and Maine are described as nstless and aDa-
thetfc despite the fact that these two rock
ribbed Republican states have II in their power
TO exert great influence on the other states IN
the November elections by the size OF the ma
jortties they poll
A DECEPTIVE ARGUMENT
From New York and other Eastern states it
is reported that there is a considerable number
of influential men who have listened TO the
siren argument of certain Democrats who de-
clare it is of comparatively little tmpOrtance
whether Mr. Taft or Mr.. Bryan is elected. in
view of the fact that. with an overwhelming
Republican majority in the Senate, Democratic
President even assisted by Democratic House.
would be powerless to alter the policies or
change the statutes Of the government
1t is curious circumstance that the very men
who heed If they do not advance this argument
are precisely those who have breathed anathen1a
against President Roosevelt. because OF his
acts but because OF his methods; not because OF
his declarations OF policy. but because OF the
tone of his pronouncements. and who while as
serting that they approve Of the policy Of Mr.
Roosevelt in prosecuting violations OF the anti
trust and anti-rebate laws. insist that his man
ner of so doing was responsible for the disaster
which overlook the industrial prosperity OF the
nation last year.
Men who have vehementIy asserted that Mr.
RoOsevelt's mental attitude toward the business
interests and his occasionally strenuous de-
nunciation OF corporate wTongtoius were re-
sponsibIe for the financial strinsency and tenn
porary stagnation of business incident to the
fall and winter OF 1907-'OS with curious incon-
sistency are now exclaiming that with large
Republican majority in the Senate. whose
attitude toward the railroads. the corporate in
terests. even toward the nationally prosperity, Is
as ininicaI as that OF Mr.. Bryan could work no
serious damage to the nation because there would
be a Republican Senate TO hold him in check
Reports OF such inconsistency and bad logic on
the part Of men whose experience and good
judgment should place them in the front rank
of the promoters of Republican success cOnsti-
tute the only ground for apprehension in the
mass of information which is reaching Mr.
Taft from the trained observers who make up
his political organization in the field
ARGUES APPALLING IGNORANCE
To man of Mr. Tafts keen appreciation Of
the extraordinary power vested in the Chiet
Executive Of the United States. such reason
ing If it deserves so hatI~ring name. is be-
yond comprehension ard ..rgues a nnisunder-
standing OF the autonomy os the government.
and an ignorance OF its history which is ap-
palling- Even d foreign student OF American
economy. none other Jhan James Bryce. now
British Ambassador 10 the United States. after
government declared of the Senate and the
President that the Senate can prevent his
setting anything. but cannot prevent his
settling everything
II requires long memory TO recall the
famous Venezuelan message Of President Cleve-
land with its influence on the markets and It's
potential influence the prosperity and. pos
sibIy. on The peace os this nation and the
pertence Of executive power which that single
Incident afforded could reasonably be assumed
70 have shown 10 thinking the vast In
uortarce of intrusting the highest Office in the
land to a man possessing tempeTamental a6il-
itv to discharge its heavy responsibility
But the history Of the country is replete with
incidents of the extraordinary power FOR veal
or woe which President may exert. in some
instances. at least quite unconsciousIy. and
the comforting OF such power on the Executive
= inseparabIe from any form OF constitutional
government Magma Charta could not prevent
George III from alternating first. the affections
and then the Loyalty Of the American coOnists.
Tor could the American Constitution prevent
President Johnson from undOing. 70 q 1erlor-
able extent the great work nearly completed
by his predecessor. Abraham Lincoln purely
executive act Of President Lincoln struck the
shackles from the wrists of entire race. and
an executive act equally distinct from the con-
troll Of Congress blessed burdened the ua-
rion with the Monroe Doctrine. The proPosi-
ton that the military forces might he en-
pIoved to enforce the federal Statutes
erunciated by President Cleveland at the time
of the Chicago riots, without consultation with
Congress. Such instances might be mentioned
in great numbers.
~ IVY