New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-15
vP TAFT AND UNION LABOR.

Il
Mr.. Taft's speeches to the audiences which
he has faced in the manufacturing centres OF
Northern end Northeastern Ohio are character
istfcally creditahle The Republican candidate
for President is a sincere and outspoken man
In his record there is nothing 10 he concealed
or omitted and he does not ask for votes, rs
Mr. Bryan does with the stipulation that no
opinion of his not mentioned in the PLATFORM
on which he happens to he standing shall be
counted against him. Mr.. Taft is willing t"
ne Judged by his acts and beliefs and does not
run 10 cover under n convenient statute OF
limitations To the wOrkingmen in Ohios in
dustrial towns he frankly and courageously de-
tends his record as judge and as an admins
traitor deaTIg with the labor unions. He does
not dodge It by saying that he cannot discuss
what he thought said or did before the meeting
of the last national convention. except in so far
as that convention has given him 2 special nun
dred days license.
Mr. Taft meets the charge that as judge
he made certain decisions unfrendly TO LABOR
leaders 10y showing that he was bound TO act as
he did act by his oath 10 support the laws anu
the Constitution. He sentenced lieutenant OF
Eugene V Debs 10 Jail because that lieutenant
Mr. Phelan. defed the United States circuit
Court and attempted 10 accomplish his aims
without regard to the limitations of the federal
could not have done otherwise As Mr. TAFT
pertinently Slid;
Where a man believes in the socialistic doc
trine that we ought TO abolish all our instltu-
lions that the distribution OF wealth Is unfair
and that the institution of private property
ought not 10 be maintained possibly for him to
Justify that sort of course Is according TO MS
conscience but he cannot justify it in court as
long as the American Constitution and the laws
passed in conformity Herewith are in force. and
any Judge that refuses to give RELIEF under theSe
circumstances violates his OATH and any judge
that comes to apologize for doing his duty I'M
der these circumstances ought never to have
been put on the bench IF in issuing an injunc-
ton and in Furnishing man like that a judge,
following his oath. is to be voted against and
kept out OF the Presidency, that is the privilege
of the voters Of the United States but | mis-
take my men, l mistake the intelligence and pa
tTiotism Of the American voters, II they are not
going stand by judges who do their duty and
carry out the law as the law is interpreted by
them.
Thai is an attitude which, we believe, the
great ma jority of Americans and the great
ma jority of union workingmen viii cordially
sustain. The cause Of union labor can he best
advanced through peaceful argument and
resort 20 such means only as are countenancel
bv law The ballot offers a sufficient remedy
for all the ills OF which labor complains. It
can ask nothing better than that the law he
honestly interpreted and enforced a first
step toward amending it, in SO far amend
ment Is desirab bic. Every man Of intelligence
and courage respects the public officer who
does his duty and faithfully administers his
trust: for il iS easy 10 change the laws. While
ii j. difficult 10 find officials who vii! live mp
10 their responsibilities without measuring the
temporary personal effects of each unpopular
action
The labor unions know exactly where Mr..
Taft stands He will give them every cOnsid-
Grafton 30 which they are entitled bat no con-
sideration which overrides the law We think
that such attitude, frankly avowed. viii at
tract Intelligent labor unionsts more than ar.
Bryan's reckless promises Of favoritism and
his utterly deceptive and demagOgic pledge to
see To il that everybody gets adequate re
ward for his services TO society, leaving it, ap-
parentIy to each person TO specify what he
considers an adequate reward