Fergus County Democrat., 1908-04-28
MR.. TAFT AS A CANDIDATE.

MR.. TAFT AS A CANDlDA1E.
Belfry News. The Portland Ore
gonian is quite as devoted to Roose-
Welt policies as any other republican
paper in the country. 1t is much
more able than the great majority OF
its contemporaries, in advocacy and
support of republican party principles.
It comedies the probability of Mr..
Taft's nomination and looks beyond
the convention period to the time
when the public instead of the public
officials shall have the controlling
vote in the determination of results.
Here are its conclusion, which may be
better considered now than later when
the opposition will invite considera
ton.
"But nomination is not election. 1t
is reasonable to expect that the re-
publican party will be fairly wel
united in support of Mr.. Taft, and
yet it will not be unanimous. Rea>
sonably or not, the negroes in large
IluluDClS dlC OPpooSu ~ Hiiil, uiiA - 10
not SO much logic as votes which de-
eide elections. The colored voters in
sist that the Brownsville affair was
an insult to their race. They insist
also that Mr.. Taft was i'll part re-
sponsible for the inconsiderate dis,
missal of the colored companies On
this account they bear a grudge
against linn which they will take the
opportunity Of the election to crafty.
We dare say no argument will suffice
to change their minds upon this point,
except possibly that of money which
is oftertlmes so potent with their
race 1t is incredible, however, that
Mr.. Taft wants the presidency badly
enough TO buy i from the negroes
even if he could.
"The colored vote holds the balance
Of power in several northern cities,
and perhaps in more than one north
ern state. United with the labor
vote, it could defeat Mr.. Taft and elect
his democratic opponent and this is a
possibility that must be reckoned
with. Labor is not very friendly to
Mr. Taft even il it has no good ground
for hostility. 1t is not forgotten
that as judge he supported govern
ment by injunction. although it is not
to be questioned that in doing SO he
followed his conscience and the letter
Of the law. The injunction issue has
now become burning one, however
The working men believe that the
writ IS tool used to put them at a
gross disadvantage in strikes and they
are disposed to visit their resentment
for its abuse upon the man who favor
ed it. Ugly threats were made at the
recent convention OF farmers and labor
societies in Washington, threats
which bade no good to any candidate
who bears the stigma of judge and
corporation lawyer upon him.
Moreover, Mr.. Taft has expressed
his latest views upon the injunction
in manner which will certainly no
satisfy the labor vote He admits tn
right to combine and strike. H
would agree to settle the form of in
functions and to grant hearing be
fore the writ should issue. He woul
even permit contempt cases to b
heard by judge other than the on
offended, but this is as far as he vii
go, and it is not far enough to satisf
when accused of contempt. They as
he unions. They demand jury tris
when accused of contempt They as
also for the speedy settlement of il
junction proceedings, so that ten
porary injunctions wrongfully issue
may not be used to break up strike
These are really more vital to ii
unions than the demands which M
TAFT comedies, and it is difficult
see how he can expect to gain II
labor vote without granting them.
1T may be that Mr.. Taft's be
hope OF compensating the loss
which he must expect among Il
negroes and workingmen lies in Il
huge secession from the democra,
party which may follow the nomin
tion of Mr.. Bryan But this secessi
is problematic. The chances are tn
it will not be very extensive, and
may not take place at all If it do
not, how can Mr. Taft be elected?"