The Washington herald., 1908-07-10
POLITICAL COMMENT.

| The indianapolis News thinks that too
much Importance has been atta6led TO
the wording of the Democratic platform.
It says:
In connection with all that friction
over the platform. Il might have a tran
quillizing effect for the builders to reflect
that considerable number of the mere
voters will never have the remotest idea
Of what II contains, 10 say nothing Of a
proper appreciation OF the niceties Of its
phraseology."
That Mr.. Taft is having TO be cautious
in his public utterances Is pointed out by
the ST. Louis Dispatch, which says
that
Mr. Taft did not shine as a rear
platform orator on his trip into the Vir-
ginia mountains. AT one siding, where
an enthusiastic crowd greeted him. he de-
liyered this grafton:
" 1 am indebted 10 you for this evidence
CT hospitality. but am responsible now
| TO my party for what I say. I am re-
/ sponsible to a great party (Cheers.)
/ ITO much responsibility OF this kind Is
not 70 be desired. Many a candidate,
taking himself too seriously. has put his
foot in his mouth in spite OF himself"
/ The Birmingham News believes that the
big political fight this year will be in the
West, and It predicts a Bryan victory. It
says
so that the real fight viii be in the
| West Nebraska and Iowa. among other
Western States, will see a vigorous con-
/ test Mr.. Bryan's towering strength on
the stump, coupled with dissatisfaction
over the doings Of the Chicago convention
and the absence OF a match for the Ne
braskan as a stump speaker. have already
created uneaslness in the Republican
/ camp. It's a fight 10 the finish. and there
be close political observers who think they
see a defeat for Judge Taft already brew
| ing in the West"
The Rochester Herald thinks that Mr.
Taft's platform is most adroitly planned
and compares II TO trap admirable con-
/ trived. II points out that: "A year or two
ago Mr.. Taft was under grave suspicion
IN that quarter because OF certain mOder-
ate leanings which he was supposed TO
have toward tariff reduction. But his
/ tariff plank has paid all debts, 1t seems
| He and the convention which nominated
him are acquitted by the Economist. the
highest stand-pat authority. Of any in
| tentiOn 10 reduce duties or to lessen the
| burdens which now oppress American
manufacturers and American consumers.
Let US read the judgment of acquittal.
! After full consideration OF the whole
subject the Republican party. in conven-
ton assembled. did not declare FOR revl-
Z sion Of the tariff downward, nor did IL
give the slightest intimation that the be-
! lief is entertained by the great body OF
Rel sblicans throughout the land that the
tariff rates Of the Dingley law are too
| high
Mr.. Taft's platform. like his recent 20
HtlcaI speeches. Is as admirably contrived
10 catch votes as the old farmers trap
was 70 catch coons. open AT both ends, II
/ catches EN- comm and goin'.'
The philadelphia Ledger gloomily Won
ders II the present Democratic conven-
ton is not TO be the death-scene Of the
party It asks:
Has the old Democratic party given
up the fight and lost its existence as,
one by one. the men who stood by
/ Cleveland have paid the debt OF nature
and passed 10 the realm OF silence? Is
/ the Denver convention 70 be known as
not only a scene OF Bryan victory. but
as the last breathing OF the old Democ-
racy and the Unobstructed entrance Of
a party bearing the old Democratic name
on flag carried by host which knows
not tariff reform. financial soundness, in
I dlvidual Americanism and the develop
ment OF material prosperity, and stands
for notions. theories. administrative In
/ competence and recklessness OF respon-
/ sibility, for the influences which for the
/ first time IN its existence would give the
Republic a definite impetus toward nobs
| and revolution?'
The Des Molnes Capital while admit
ting that MI Bryan has some virtues.
does not think he is yet At foc a halo. It
says:
I'VE are willing TO admit that Mr.. VIII
lam J. Bryan Is a good man Judged by
the ordinary standards Of human con-
duct. but really We must insist that Mr..
/ Weilman and others Of his school of
I adulationlsts leave those artificial wings
in the feather renovator awhile longer.
and that the halo which they have been
Furnishing so industriously be not quite
so soon exposed to the air"
The New York Tribune thinks the Den
NtI AtlfEdlto az . StleANFNANe+ - SA1
In New York the free and easy dele
gates 10 the Socialist Labor convention
nominate a convict for the Presidency.
out in Denver II is the delegates who are
shackled and the nominee who remains at
large"
The Omaha Bee sees In the closeness OF
the big fight this year chance for the
little fellows: 1t suggests that Tom
Watson and Eugene V. Debs should cheer
up. The New York World has It figured
out that neither Mr.. Bryan nor Mr.. Taft
can be elected President"
The St. Louis Pcst-Dispateh finds in the
political outlook a new definition. It de-
clares: AN optinlist is a man who be-
lieves that President Taft will restore
railroad passes"
Room in Chicago.
From the Philadelphia Press
In Chicago they are dreaming OF con-
structing sidewalks above the streets on