The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-08-06
R0OSEyElIISM THE KEYNOTE.

nUUolvLIltON I'LL Nc INUIL.
The Issue Frankly Stated by William H.
A progressive Rooseveltism is the
keynote of the policy to be pursued by
Judge William H. Taft if he is elected
President of the United States. In his
speech of acceptance. delivered at Gin
cinnati, July Goth, Mr.. Taft says that it
should be the duty of the next admins
tration to clinch what President Roose-
welt has done by providing adequate
machinery with which to carry out
these policies and make restraint and
punishment so prompt and accurate as
to interfere as little as possible with
legitimate business. The speech is too
long to be given in full in a weekly pa
per and we take the following excellent
summary from the Boston Transcript:
should be changed from an executive
and directing body to a quasi-judicial.
investigating board and the executive
and directing power now lodged in it
vested in a new department of the gov
eminent. Traffic agreements between
railroads, when approved by the Inter
state Commerce Commission, should
be valid. Physical valuation of rail-
roads, though it is relevant and i'm
portant and should be made, is not
necessarily in itself fair basis for the
regulation of income through rates.
Good will, efficiency and other consid-
erations should be equal if not control
ling factors. A fixing of rates with all
of these facts considered would not i'm.
pair the market value of railroad securi-
ties except in cases where gross over
Capitalization is made the excuse for
excessive rates. Railroad rates at the
present time are reasonably low. AS
most corporations of any Importance
whatever do an interstate business the
requirement of a Federal license would
be an intolerable burden upon the bust
ness of the country. Only those cor
porations having the power and temp
tation to monopolize should be forced
to accept Federal supervision. This
condemns the Democratic plan to have
Federal control of corporations control
ling twenty-five per cent of any product.
Judge Taft also condemns as impracti-
cal the Democratic proposition to COM
pei corporations to sell their commodi-
ties for the same price everywhere, al
lowing for transportation charges. In
comparing the policies OF the two par
ties the candidate says that the chief
difference is that the Republicans pro-
gram is progressive ana regulatlVe,
while that of the Democrats is radical
and destructive. The proposition is
submitted whether the election of Mr..
| Bryan under these conditions would
| bring about a restoration OF confidence.
Continuing the outlining of his views
Mr.. Taft says that he stands for the
principle of the protective tariff, but
thinks certain schedules, IN which the
difference between the cost OF produc-
ing the article here and abroad exceeds
fair profit and the demands OF our
higher standards of living, should be
lowered. Others should be raised. Re
garding labor he says it has been the
policy of the administration to secure
an equality of opportunity for the
wage -earner. In pursuit of this have
been passed the employers liability
act, eight-hour law, Workman's com
pensation act, and the safety appliance
laws. The right to organize. and to
strike is unquestioned. lnJunctlons
are a very essential part Of our system
of jurisprudence and are necessary for
the safeguarding of property. The
Democratic plank on this point is dis
ingenious. A notice, however, should
be served previously to the granting OF
the Injunction. Jury trial in contempt
cases is very unWise, and would serious
ly hinder the administration OF justice.
Changes in the currency system are
necessary, due to changed conditions
and the enormous expansion OF Dusl-
ness. A postal savings bank is advo
Gated. The Democratic plan for cur
rency changes is held to be very
Objectionable, and less etficacious than
postal savings banks. The Republican
Administration has done much for the
colonies. Porto Rico and the Philip
pines are prosperous. Intervention IN
| Cuba has been very beneficial. The
Democratic proposal for the Philip
pines means chaos, as the islands are
| not fit for government. Tariff
changes are badly needed to promote
prosperity there. There is a general
misconception as to the cost OF the
islands to the United States. This does
not exceed annually S6,000,0OO, which
includes the cost of the troops. Gen
erous pensions to veterans is favored.
The Republican party stands Tor the
| just treatment of the Negro. The army
and navy must be maintained at an
efficient pitch. Asiatic immigration
should continue to be controlled as 1t
has been by the present Administra-
ton. The national resources must be
conserved. The passage of a law ad-
vocating the publication of all cam
paign expenses is advocated. The
Democratic charges of increase in tue
number of officeholders and their pay
not only is inaccurate, but lnslncere.
There never has been an admlnlstra-
ton more efficient, more honest. or
more economical. Mr.. Taft, in closing.
makes an appeal for the support OF all
his felloW-citzens.