The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-19
FRON OTHER PENS
rAFrs JUDICIAL QUALITIES.


One peculiar qualification which Mr.
Taft has for the presidency is derived
from his judicial career. The president
is more than a party leader, more than
an executive officer; his potency far
transcends the mere prerogatives Of his
position. Zeal for reform is desirable,
but it should be accompanied by bal
anced judgment. Mr.. Roosevelt's chief
weakness Is the essentially partisan ma
ture OF his temperament. Whatever he
believes he believes so strenuously that
he will not admit there can be any
honest difference Of opinion. This char
acteristic has been of service to him in
forcing through constructive legislation
in the face of an Indifferent or even
hostile congress. On the other hand, it
has led him into errors which have too
frequently altenated those heartily de-
sirous of supporting him. Mr.. Taft has
been unjustly characterized as a mere
echo Of Mr.. Roosevelt. That he indorses
Mr.. Roosevelt's policies. broadly speak
ing, he has himself made clear; indeed,
he could hardly have remained a MEM
Der of the administration on any other
terms. But he would doubtless carry
these policies out In his own way. Nor
Is there any reason to oppose that they
are not in the main approved by the
nation at large. The "reactionaries,"
so far as can be judged, are in a dis
tinct minority. Most of the criticism
which the president has had to meet
of late has been based rather upon his
methods than upon his aims. Such
criticism would not apply to Mr. Taft.
A man who has filled a high judicial
office so satisfactorily as he must have
the breadth and sanity of view which
enables him to look at all sides Of a
question. There need be little fear that
he would be too rash, too unadvised.
too sudden" if he should become presi-
dent.-Providence Journal.
COMPARATIVE HONESTY.
Are we becoming better? Is business
on the whole conducted more honestly
and with greater restraint than it used
to be? Those who maintain an uncon-
querable optimism despite the present
tendency to bewail can find food for
faith in embezzlement figures compil-
ed by a New York Surety company.
In 1898 embezzlements cost banks $780,
100000. In 1907. another panic year,
the similar losses amounted to $1,000
600. The stealings uncovered in the
one year were less than one-sixth as
large as in the other. Yet in 1893 bank
and trust deposits were but s4,624 000,-
600, against s11 900. 600 in 1907 En-
bezzlements in 1907 were thus relative
ly but one-f fifteenth as large as in 1898.
The figures may not be conclusive, Tor
indirect stealing may have taken the
place of direct, but, nevertheless, they
are of some value to those VINO wish
to study comparative business morality.
The surety company, with natural pre-
judice. ascribes large part or the
change to the greater certainty of pun
ishment under the surety system
Doubtless this has had influence, but.
on the other hand. few OF those who
embezzle expect their speculation to
fail-most do not reflect on whether
their prosecutor will be company or
Individual bondsmen. The outstanding
fact is that when uncovering suddenly
came last fall the defalcations were
much fewer in number than when a
like summons camerin 1898, This is
the testimony not only of the bank
embezzlements. but in a most notable
manner the same testimony is borne
by the insolvency record Of the past
four months when compared with the
insolvency record of stress months OF
1S93.-New York Globe.