Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-08-05
AN ELEMENT OF STRENGTH.

Ab Is ny uO mc0uS IulpIOUoOAO Vhoo
William H. Taft will as president be
able to accomplish even more towards
the realization of the Roosevelt
policies than has Roosevelt. That is
to say he is likely TO have more
personal influence with congress than
Presi1 dent Roosevelt has. For the
president is by no means popular
with congress. On the contrary he is
disliked by many congressman person
ally. and is criticised still more be.
cause of his methods. His impul.
siveness. his aRgressiveness and his
positiveness of manner has brought
upon him the charge of being dicta-
torial. He is accused Of frequently
attempting to encroach on legislative
prerogatives and Of assuming to be
the master of q coordinate branch of
the government. Even when congress
has not been out of sympathy with
his purposes it has at times refused to
accept his suggestions and admoni.
tions. II has been made clear that
congress objected to the use of the
whip and spur. Only the popularity
of the president in the country has
prevented vigorous rebuke on more
than one occasion. The friction that
has developed between congress and
the executive has been unfortunate.
The wheels would have run more
smoothly had there been more oil,
says the st. Paul Pioneer Press.
Taft is not likely to handicap him.
self by his mannerism. On the con-
trary his poise, self control and
geniality have already made him per-
sonally popular with congress. He is
known to be determined and not to be
moved when occasion demands, and
he has proved on more than one Oc-
casion his persistence. But he is
patient and tolerant and tactful.
Where Roosevelt has afforded opport-
unities for charges of encroachment
and officiousness Taft will be likely
10 escape such accusations. not only
tecause his methods will be less ir-
ritating to congressional pride. but
because his respect for constitutional
limitations will be assumed. His
methods will be rather those Of Nc
Kiflley and of Lincoln. He is in fact
likely to grow into popularity with
congress with each succeeding year OF
his administration, as he will with
the country. as his exceptional
strength and sweetness Of character,
his companionableness and his re-
markable ability become more widely
known and appreciated. A president
possessed Of the wisdom and force that
Taft has displayed, popular with con.
gress and backed by popularity in the
country at large. ought to accomplish
great things.
The Iowa Sheriffs' association has
plans afoot to bring suits against
practically every county in Iowa.
These suits. involving tens Of thou
sands Of dollars. will be brought by
the sheriffs Of the respective counties
and will be,claims for portions Of al.
legged unpaid back salary for five
wears, the statute of limitations bar.
ring claims older than this. It IL
claimed that in counties where the
sheriff has but one deputy. which
includes most of the counties OF the
state. the salary Of the deputy should
be paid by the county. Each sheriff
now pays his deputy from his owl
salary. and the claim is now made
that these officials should pay deputy
salary only where they have more
than one. A case Involving this poin
has been tried in Fayette county ant
the sheriff won. It is the decision O
the Fayette county court that form
the basis for the action Of the STATE
sherifYs' association. The Fayett'
case has been appealed to the supreme
court, and the state association o
| en0flu6 has uoClucu W uSuV S"o oe'0'
there to q standstill. In case tn
lower court is sustained, action
against practically every county il
the state will follow.
II Congressman Cousins. upon hi
voluntary retirement from public
, service next January. will enter tn
; lecture field. it is said. II this b
true. he will at once assume fore
, most position. He is easily at TN
, front among American or ators. ther'
) is nothing Of the sensational abou
him, and his auditors will hea
sound, conservative argument de
| livered in classic. masterly style.
! In the year 1907 there was ON
automobile in Iowa for every ~
people; this year there is one TO
every $50 people; and it is predicte'
that in 1909 there will be one 10
every 175 people. The number ha
almost doubled within the past year
. and it is anticipated that it vii