The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-03

campaign. and the Republicans are on
the defensive.
Fear Stagnation.
Anywhere west OF the Allegheny
mountains they Will tell you-and
they include people Of all parties
that the prospect of standing still for
four long years in the program Of pro
gressive accomplishment IS responsible
Tor the utter lack of enthusiasm on
either side about politics this year
What's the use?" they saw. THE
House is going Democratic anyhow; the
Senate Will stay Republican. no matter
what happens; If Bryan is elected ne
Will be unable 10 accomplish results
because the Senate will NOT 90 with
MIN, and II Taft is elected he Will ua,.
l Lieitai Ine disposition TO push radical
80 mere is rather a general disDOsi-
| ton 10 assume that the next four Years
VIII De years Of quietude. People have
II inquired out that there Will be little
doing that VIII really interest them. no
matter who IS elected President No
| BODY IS really 70 be panic-stricken II
Mr.. Bryan Is elected. and nobody is
going 70 be surprised II Secretary Taft,
/ being elected. falls TO push the Roose-
welt policy with the zeal Of a Roose-
welt.
The prevailing sentiment throughout
VIC AAAuAAc w est ana w est Is one OF
| disgust that the country should have
got into position in which it Is APP
! parenlly impossible to 90 ahead with
the great business OF rehabilitating
| business morals.
But having reluctantly come 10 the
conclusion that this is the situation.
| the average voter IS pretty reckless OF
| his party afhliat!on and his traditional
allegiance, and disposed 10 suit him
self when he votes. There VIII be small
/ boot In campaign OF either abuse or
Tidlcule directed at Mr. Bryan, because
/ Mr.. Bryan stan1s quite as well with
| the average voter as any other gentle
man who as a Presidential candidate IS
! just now seeking the franchises OF the
/ people
Mr. Bryan IS credited with originating
and II he doesn't add too much 70 Il
| at Denver the trans-mOuntain States
are going to regard him as plenty cOn-
| seTyatiYe enough.
Crucial Test Coming.
| A great deal yet depends on the Den
yer platform and the Taft speech OF &C
/ ceptance. Secretary Taft stands ex-
/ tremely well with people IN general.
They have confidence in his good inten-
/ tons. but a good deal OF uncertainty
/ about his political afiliation. and some
! misgivings as 10 whether he has the
! measure Of personal force 10 carry even
] the best OF intentions into effect.
| II Secretary Taft wants 20 make the
| strongest appeal 10 the people who Will
/ decide this election, he will recognize
| that the West regards him as the East's
/ candidate. assumes that he IS standing
| on an Eastern platform, and classes his
! running mate as the choice Of Eastern
| interests; and recognizing these things
/ he VIII make q speech OF acceptance
/ which viii give hostages 10 Western
| opinion
| He wiz address his speech 70 the vot-
ers Of Ohio. Indiana, Illinois. Kentucky
! Wisconsin, Minnesota. Iowa, Nebraska,
/ Kansas. and the Dakotas; and II with
I IL he satisfies them that under a Taft
! administration the next four years viii
not be quite void OF achievement, not
| entirely barren OF progressive accom-
| plishment. ne may safely expect that
J the verdict at the polls win be IN IFS
! favor. Secretary Taft should under.
stand that the country doesn't expect
| so much OF him as 70 would Of Theo-
dore Roosevelt, nominated and electe
for a third term. II wants rather az
earnest OF good faith than a Legislative
program