Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-22
Payne Tariff Not Popular in
the West.
OPPOSITION is LINING UP
Suggestion of Reform Candidate
for President.
REVERSE VIEW EXPRESSED
Belief That the Presidents Cour-
age and Frankness Will Disarm
the Opposition.

Trustworthy information reaching
Washington is that President Taft's tariff
speech in Minnesota. in which he defend
ed the Payne law and urged republican
unity, has met with a frost in the mid
die west and northwest. Especially in
Iowa, it is stated from responsible
sources, has the President found no SYM
pathy in his tariff utterances. and the
masses Of the republicans there seem to
feel that the western sentiment on the
tariff was badly bumped in Washington.
Already talk has begun of putting for
ward Senator Cummins or some other
tariff reform republican as q candidate
for President in the republican national
convention three years from now.
Western republicans in Washington are
divided on the probable outcome Of the
tariff resentment in the west. President
Taft's speech is construed by many as the
worst thing he could have done, SO far as
his own popularity and that Of his party
Is concerned. while others believe that in
the long run the Presidents holiness.
courage and frankness in making his
views known will have good effects and
stop much Of the radicalism that is being
manifested on the subject of the tariff.
Views Of the Experts.
Political analytical experts here are in
clined to think that President Taft has
shown himself deeper and better stu
dent and leader Of politics than he has
heretofore been given credit for, 80 far
as his course on the tariff Is concerned.
The great cloud Of republican discomfort
in the west, largely over the tariff. has
been seen by the President. Without an
licans in that section. and by saying moth
ing and appearing to sympathize with the
feeling there, this cloud would have de-
veloped into a storm that might have
ended in q repetition Of the scenes at the
republican convention in st. Louis in 1885,
when the silver wing Of the party with
drew from the regular body. Even the
pacifying words and demeanor Of the
President may not even now prevent such
an outcome. but It Is reasonably certain
cording to veteran students of the game,
to stem the tide and bring the republicans
back into party harness.
Much will remain with the leaders like
Cummins. Nelson. Clapp and Beveridse.
to determine the future of the party in
firm them in the opinion that they cannot
afford to oppose the Presidents views on
this subject as well as on others. they
will turn their efforts toward shaping
stemming the rising tide. Their program
in the coming session Of Congress will
show pretty conclusively whether they
feel that they can haunt the red flag In
the face Of the President and continue to
array western republicans against their
eastern brethren on the tariff and other
questions
President to Remain Firm.
The President himself will watch the
drift with keenness, and 1t Is predicted
that If he finds the Cummins, element in
the Senate disposed to make war upon
his policies he will take Arm action to
test the genuine party sentiment in that
section and determine how firmly backed
the radical republicans are.
This could be done in q number of ways.
The first and quickest would be by taxi
ing patronage away from those whom he
considered were teaching false principles.
This course would instantly develop the
real feeling in Iowa. Minnesota and those
over the Payne tariff. but it would be 4
step that would precipitate party crisis
Another method would be by continuing
to appeal to party loyalty. as he has al
wean support away from the radical
teachings of Senator Cummins and his
followers.
President Taft's commentator of Gen.
ator Aldrich has given offense to the
party leaders in the middle west. These
have determined to lessen the influence
of the Rhode Island senator in the Sen
ate. and their combination was formed
months ago for that purpose. The west
ern people believe Senator Aldrich to be
the representative in the Senate of the
corporations and monopolies. and his in
dorsement by the President does not
please them.
Reelection Expected.
Friends of President Taft everywhere
expect him to be renominated and re-
elected in 1912. Therefore 1t is surprising
when out OF the west comes talk of bring
ing forward candidate against him. this
candidate representing party sentiment
there as opposed to the eastern view of
the principles Of the party on the tariff
and other questions. The ambitions of
Senators Cummins of Iowa and BeveridEe
of Indiana are not to be lost sight Of it
is pointed out. and while both men are
really playing for 1916 they may And
themselves unable to check the storm
they have largely been responsible for
making and may be forced into a fight
against the President for the nomination