Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-28
Judge Taft's Keynote.

In what NAV be called speech of ac-
ceptance-a letter is made quite unneces-
sary-Judge Taft with conspicuous abil-
ity. plants himself squarely on the Roose-
welt policies. He believes i'm them. and
considers that the country does He gives
the President the fullest credit and praise
for inaugurating them. If elected to sue
coed Mr.. Roosevelt he will use all the
powers of his office toward completing
what has been worthily begun. If there
is material in this for those of his enc
mics who in their attacks dwell upon the
charge that he is Mr.. Roosevelt's candi-
date he makes them welcome to II.
The Roosevelt policies. Judge Taft de-
clares need additional machinery of law
for their carrying out. and the next ad-
ninistration should be charged with sup
plying it. In the departments of COM
nnerce and Labor of Agriculture, and OF
Justice bureaus should be reorganized
with that end in view. The railroad rate
hill. the pure food law and the meat In
spection law cannot be properly executed
under present arrangements. AS matters
stand the departments are overloaded
with work.
Judge Taft treats the labor question
with frankness, courage and lucidity. Nat
1Irally he opens with a reference to what
the republican party has done for labor
in the way of legislation. He then re-
minds the country that all labor is en-
titled to consideration, unionized and non
unionized alike. He is against the boy
colt as a weapon of menace and injury.
and on the subject of injunctions he
makes it entirely plain that while changes
may be necessary in the present form OF
court procedure, they should not be car
ried to the extent of Gripping the courts,
or of interposing a jury trial between
the ascertainment Of a fact and the pun
ishment of an offender against a courts
decree. That. he thinks, would operate TO
the injury of the workingman rather
than to that of rich defendant. Nor
does Judge Taft think that the record
bears out the outcry on this subject. Few
injunctions without notice have been Is
sued. and federal judges, as a rule, have
been careful
Upon the tariff question the republican
candidate declares unreservedly for the
republican policy of protection. The
democrats he asserts. In seeking a purely
revenue basis. take a stand against pro-
lection. Sharp attention will be drawn
I'd the income tax propositions tax
which Judge Taft thinks can be imposed
constitutionally. He does not suggest
how. but particulars may be forthcoming
as the campaign progresses. 1t is one
of the most interesting declarations OF the
address.
The question as to the Philippines IS
handled with the ease of thorough
familiarity. Judge Taft is entirely at
home there. and shows that in effect the
so-called anti-imperialists would have the
government Withdraw from the islands
now. at least two generations too soon.
The people are advancing under Ameri-
can protection. and the annual expense to
the American government. instead of
being staggering in amount as repre-
sented, is not above six million dollars.
His request for more liberal tariff regu-
lations between the islands and this cOun-
try is altogether reasonable.
Judge Taft favors postal savings banks.
but opposes government insurance of
bank deposits. He is in favor of SUBJ
sidy for the merchant marine. AS to the
charge of extravaganza brought against
his party. he asks his opponents where
they would apply the knife.
The speech closes with an appeal to the
independent voters and an apology for
the length of the deliverance The
apology might we'll have been omitted
No person interested in public questions
will rise from reading this speech with
feelings other than refreshment. All mat
tiers embraced in it are treated according
to their value, and with a clearness that
does great credit TO the speakers powers
OF statement.