The sun., 1908-03-24
TAFTS IDEAS or LEGISLATION
he DECLARES CORPORATIONS
, SHOULD BE PROTECTED.
FeilS New Jersey Legislature Why There's
some Capitalization In WaSbington
and DE trecates it's for ship subsidy
baron Takahira Talks Business.


baron TAkahlra Talks Business,
TRENTON, n. j., March 2S,--Seoretary
Taft brought his Presidential campaign 10
New jersey to-day on a brief, personally
conducted tour, He was accompanied by
Baron Takahira. the japanese Ambassador
70 the United States. who with the Secretary
had been invited to speak at the annual
dinner Of the Trenton Chamber OF Com
merce. Mr.. Taft not only fulfilled this en-
gagement but attended a public reception
in the Executive Chamber, addressed the
Legislature in joint session and gave a
private audience 10 the legislative corre-
Spondents.
In addressing the Chamber Of Commerce
Ar,'Taft dealt principally with the COM
mercial possibilities between this country
and THE Orient, though he spoke at length
about the rumors Of trouble between the
United States and Japan and came out
strongly for ship subsidies. In speaking
10 the Legislature he dealt with the duty
OF leRisla tors generally and deplored a too
great Capitalization Of power In the Federal
Government. This he was inclined 70
attribute not entirely 10 arrogalon OF
bower by the Federal Government but 70
Failure on the part Of State legislators TO
perform their proper functions.
Secretary Taft and Baron TakahiTa ar
nved in Trenton at o'clock. and later
were escorted to the State House, where a
public reception was held Among the
callers were ex-Gov. Griggs, eX-Gov, Muir
ply, ex-Gov. Stokes, eX-United states
Senator Dryden. members OF the Senate,
Assembly, State officials and politicians,
big and little, from all sections OF the state
After half an hour Of hand shaking the
guests were escorted by Gov. Fort 70 the
Assembly chamber, where the Legislature
had convened in joint session. The gal
leries were crowded and the reception was
cordial Baron Takshira referred 10 the
traditional relations which had existed he
tween the two countries and said they
would be strengthened by a promotion OF
commercial interest OF each,
OF the subject Of legislative functions
Secretary Taft said that II seemed 70 him
quite as much a duty Of the Legislature in
preparing a law 10 do SO with q view TO JUS
enforcement and enforcibility as II Is the
duty Of the Executive to see that II Is en-
forced afterward He continue a.
Il know YOU all have had the experience
that il takes a good deal OF courage some-
times TO discriminate in favor OF what Is
really in the interests Of the public and what
is really in the interests OF the poor man.
For instance, let me give you a citation Of O
case. We have been boastng In Ohio that
the poor man can go into Justice Of the
peaoes court and bring suit for $40 and he
can carry that case clear up to the Supreme
Court, and that is the kind Of State that
we have-that is the way We look after the
poor man. Wei. as 4 matter Of fact that is
q very poor way 10 look after the poor man.
The truth is that these opportunities for
appeals are always in the interest Of those
who are prepared to fight litigation.
| think sometimes II takes greater cour-
age TO grant a franchise which Is favorable
10 a corporation than II does 10 deny such
franchise when the franchise really operates
10 the benefit Of the public by enabling cor
poraton legitimately TO earn a profit and
not put II In such a position as to make II
essential that the corporation should defraud
somebody in order that IL should carry on
its business with a profit
In other words, one in dealing With cor
porations or with anything else that the
State has 10 do with must do Justly not only
for the State but for the person with whom
the State deals because II there is anything
that business man ought 70 know II Is that
the making OF a contract that Is hard on the
other party, be 1t lease or a contract for
construction or anything else that drlv
that other party to the wall, becomes in the
end most burdensome and altogether un-
profitable for the person who has the Just
side Of the contract or the lease.
don't agree with those gentlemen who
are 50 anxious TO have laws enforced on
~ - Lob md and
believe as there Is greater power in the
Federal Government than there is In the
state government everything ought TO be
done by the Fedora Government | don't
agree with that at all. II is true that there
are some subjeo that appeal TO one as sub
iects that ought TO be covered by uniform
legislation.
The function Of the State is perhaps not
quite so important to-day as It was at the time
when the Constitution was enacted, but II
isn't because the function has changed, II
is only because the duties within that function
have become more important for the Federal
Government than for the State government,
because Of the enorm Gus development OF this
cNuntry.
The strength Of this country is In the fact
that we do not have all the power at Wash
deal OF L., in forty-siX different States ]
tremble to think what this Government would
become II everything was centred on the
Potomac in the District Of Columbia.
The States. the Governors and the Legisla-
lures must not lose their sense Of RESPONSE
bility in respect 10 their duties within their
functions, The great weakness Of the States
Il do not think il is true OF New Jersey, but
J. have seen It in many States-the great
weakness Is a willingness to have the Govern
ment take the burden with respect TO money
and appropriation. or subjects that really
ought to be attended to by the State treasury
and State government That Is an insidious
way Of working in the Federal Jurisdiction,
but am glad to say that Congress generally
shows pretty bold front against that, and
/ am glad to believe that we are maintaining
to-day as sacred the lines between the State
and Federal Government laid down. a. they
have been, by tribunal great as the Supreme
Court OF the United States.
At the Chamber Of Commerce dinner
Secretary Taft came out in favor Of ship
subsidies, saying
With our coast line on the Pacific. with the
deep interest we have in the Chinese trade.
certainly we ought TO take steps 70 Assist
the reconstruction and maintenance OF steam
ers carrying the American flag from our west
coaFt TO The Orient. The bill which offers
inducements for the construction OF ships 10
earn the mail subsidies proposed will be an
experiment in this direction. and II II proves
TO be successful 1t ought TO be followed by
greater and greater Government contribu-
tons TO the building up Of our merchant
marine.
! cannot understand any difference in
principle between Government assistance
70 our merchant marine and our protective