New-York tribune., 1908-03-05
THE OHIO CONVENTION.

The Republican State Convention in Ohio
expected to present the platform on which
Secretary Taft is to stand as candidate for
the Republican Presidential nomination. Its
work had, however been already cut out for
1t; for the Secretary of War in his address at
Columbus last summer, before starting for the
Philippines, fully and frankly outlined his
views national policies. The platform
adopted at Columbus yesterday naturally re-
states Mr. Taft's position, while expressing The
full accord with it of the Ohio Republicans,
who have now indorsed the Secretary of War
as the states choice for the Presidency. An
examination of the principles announced makes
it clear that the policies which Ohio and Ohios
candidate approve are in all essentials those
which the Roosevelt administration has pur-
sued and which progressive Republicans every
where hope TO see continued. They differ lit
tie If at all. from the policies advocated IN
this state by Governor Hughes or in Pennsyl-
yania by Senator Knox, and they must be
taken to foreshadow pretty accurately the dec
larations of the next Republican national plat
form.
Representative Burton, of Cleveland, drew
the Ohio resolutions and thus summed up the
general issues on which the Republican party
will this wear seek an Endorsement from the
people:
A brave and impartial enforcement of the law;
commercial and Industrial liberty; individuallsm
as against socialism; competition as against
government ownership; the promotion OF the
best interests of labor and capital and the un-
finching protection of both; compensation lor
injured employees Of the government; the re-
enactment in constitutional form of the employ
ers' liability act a limitation in the exercise OF
the power of injunction order to prevent Its
abuse; n greater merchant marine and an ade-
uuate navy; generous provision for the ola SOL
ders the vanishing forces Of the Republic; I'D
.raI
WATERWAYS and harbors, including the ONO
fsf-ror a,,d tho Great Lakes in accordance with
general plan which shall be comprehensive ana
inst to all portions of the country; the organlza-
ton of all existing national public health agen-
cies into a single national health department.
In addition. the sponsors for Mr.. Tafts can
didacy propose @ revision Of the tariff at a
special session Of the next Congress, in which
the principle OF protection shall he fairly and
faithfully applied. and the defence by legisla-
tion of the rights of negro citizens prejudiced
hv arbitrary and unconstitutional discrimlna-
tons The platform is courageous and prac-
teal and its pledges will satisfy all those who
look to a continuation of constructive and
wholesome legislation under Republican ma
tional administration.
Changes in the field of politics are rapid but
the upset in Ohio within the last twelve months
has been extreme and exceptional AT the state
convention Of 1905 the two United States Sen
the party machinery. state committee was
named by them, and their open hostility to the
administration at Washington was condoned and
CLOSED over. The Tribune said at the time that
the convention had clearly failed TO recognize
the sentiment of the Republican voters of the
state and that the next test OF strength
the friends of the administration would be
decisively vindicated. In opposing Mr.. TAFT
and what he represents in national politics
Messrs Foraker and Dick committed an Oh
vious blunder. They assumed an ungracious
and vindctve attitude, and they have now sur
fered complete observation. Neither Senator
was present yesterday at Columbus as dele
gate and neither was represented by follow
ins on the floor of the convention. The re-
proof was crushing, but it was deserved. The
Senators may be credited with consistency In
their hopelessly losing fight But they en-
tered it with eyes open, and the employment of
ordinary political judgment should have con-
yinced them long ago that they had absolutely
misfnterpreted the ideas and purposes of their