The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-07-29
THE OPENING GUN.

THE OPENING GUN.
Mr.. Taft's speech accepting the
nomination for the presidency is nota-
BILE chiefly for its reputation of the
Chicago conventions action on what
were called the La Toilette planks and
for his declaration that the Republican
strength in this campaign depends
upon maintenance of the Roosevelt
policies, which had been cast off both
by the convention and by the party's
leaders in house and senate at the last
session of congress. In his opinion, the
chief work of the incoming administra-
ton is to clinch by legislation and cor
ollary legal action the work inaugu-
rated by the president: and for this
purpose he asks the return to power of
a party which. at the last session of
congress. refused 10 enact laws rec
commended by the president for the
very purpose of "clnching" what he
had begun.
Mr.. Taft declares for the physical
valuation of railroad properties as a
basis for determining what are reason
able railroad rates. When this pro-
posal was offered as plank in the
Chicago platform. the convention voted
it down by 917 TO So. a most conclusive
expression of the sentiment ruling the
Republican party.
Mr. Taft also expresses himself in
favor of popular election of senator's.
NJ foS fS arfx
question. albeit the Chicago conven-
ton voted down a popular election
plank by sec to ia.
Finally. the Republican candidate de-
clares himself for publicity of cam
paign contributions-after the election;
the Chicago convention voted against
publicity at any time by $50 votes
against 81.
That is to say, the presidential cam
didate is asking the suffrage of the
people. not on the platform of the par
" which nominated him. but on plat
form Of his own making which is di-
rectly opposed to the most important
expressions Of opinion registered in the
Chicago convention.
In the early part of his administra-
ton Mr.. Roosevelt was popular
enough and strong enough to compel
his party leaders to follow him
whether his views were congeniaI Dr
not In a way he was the Republican
platform. but the time came when his
radical disregard of party sentiment.
n rhf bnnC with fhnSa who
opposed him and the disastrous effect
of his policies resulted in a reaction
that even he could not withstand. He
saw the last congress disregard his
messages. deride his appeals for legis
lation and ignore his expressed wish
on most important party matters.
Where Roosevelt has failed il hardly
seems possible that Taft may hope TO
succeed. The Republican party is IN
full retreat from the advanced posi-
ton Roosevelt took and Tafts effort
TO stay that retreat. TO have it appear
that he is stronger and better than his
party is bound 10 bring disaster to
both candidate and party. In the
event of his election the country knows
ne WoulQ De nelpleSS 10 erect lne dC-
ton he outlines in his acceptance of the
nomination: IL knows that the AL
driches, the Paynes and Cannons and
DaIzells would control him as they
shackled Roosevelt, and that the pop
ular ideas he has adopted in defiance
of the Chicago platform would have no
chance of enactment into law. He
might be a brake on the machine. but
he could not possibly hope to be any
part OF its motor power.
In his attitude toward the trusts and
illegal nonopolies generally. Mr.. Taft
occupies practically the same position
as his party. He makes no reference
to the possibility of providing impris-
onment for violation of the antitrust
law: on the contrary. he suggests the
feeble remedy of inducements for the
registration under national license OF
corporations engaged In interstate com
rnerce. and added government supervi-
sion of such corporations. He express
w objects to the Democratic proposal
that tbs tardH shall be reduced or re-
moved entirely on articles controlled
by monopoR1es. In other words, he
has~uo eemedy to offer for the ex-
nloftation Of consumers by illegal COM
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