Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-29
MR. rAFrs AccEPrAncE.

Taft's acceptance speech is
characteristic Of the man. 1t is strong,
Sound and clear in its every aspect. At
no point is any effort made to dodge
or befog any of the important issues
presented by the platforms of the two
great parties. The Denver pronounce
ment has been given as close study
and gets as much attention as does the
one adopted at Chicago and no doubt
Is left by Mr.. Taft as to his position on
either of them.
Mr.. Taft say the most important
function of the next administration will
be to make permanent what has been
achieved under President Roosevelt.
The forward movement in control of
industrial and commercial combina-
lions, means Of transportation and
communication, and similar reforms,
is to be carried still further along. so
that the beginnings made under Roose-
welt will become accomplished facts by
continued republican administration.
The Roosevelt policies are not to be
abandoned or abated either abroad or
at home.
On the attitude OF the republican
party towards organized labor, Mr..
Taft states his position so clearly and
so fairly that 1t must convince every
one who approaches the question with
an pen mind. He not only comedies
to labor the right to organize unions
to deal with employers on questions
that arise concerning terms of employ
ment, but even argues the necessity for
trades unions and similar combinations
Of labor. He maintains for the laborer
the right to strike to enforce his de-
mands, and to withhold his patronage
from any employer against whom he
has a grievance, and that he also has
a right to induce others to so withdraw
patronage, so long as no resort is had
to duress. But he calls attention to the
fact that a large portion of the labor
element of the country is not affiliated
with any of the organizations, and that
the rights of the u~norganized element
before the law are exactly equal to
those Of organized labor. This point
may be seized upon by demagogues
and pettifoggers, but the real thinking
men in the ranks Of organized labor
nus recognize the truth and force of
the position of Judge Taft.
The anti-injunction plank is treated
with the same ~frankness. The in
sincerity Of the democratic plank is
made plain by pointing out it's OBJ
scurity of language. But the gravest
danger is shown to lie in the destruc-
ton of judicial authority in event of
the Bryanite theory being put into
practice. Unless a court has power to
enforce Its DEGREES, it Is useless, and
anarchy results. II the proposed
remedy is applied only to labor disputes
eral application would practically de-
stroy the authority of the courts. The
return to the old rule of the supreme
court, which forbids the issuance of
an injunction without notice, is the
remedy suggested as fair to all.
The fixing of railroad rates, the
control of corporations and combina-
lions of capital, the revision of the
tariff, the income tax question are
handled directly and with no circum-
locution by Judge Taft. The charges of
extravaganza in administration, made
by the democratic platform, are met by
showing that the democrats did not
seriously oppose and in many instances
actually voted for the expenditures
complained of. The same applies to the
charge of Increase in the number of
government officers and employees due
to the growth of the country, to the
construction of the Panama canal, the
extension of the rural free delivery
service, and to the operation of the
pure food law. (which of these" asks
Judge Taft, did the democrats in con-
gress oppose, which will they cut off
In order to reduce the number of lanes
on the government a roll, and which
of the activities OF the government will
be abandoned In order to reduce ex-
penditures?"
The speech, though lengthy and
devoid of rhetorical flourish, is yet
most interesting reading. During the
coming campaign it's forceful character
will become more and more apparent
each day. 1t is an appeal to the mind
as we'll as to the hearts of his fellow
countrymen, and Mr.. Taft can we'll af-
ford to rest his case on It.