The Washington herald., 1909-03-04
The New Administration.

The New AGmlnSH Sfl01.
Few Presidents have taken the cath OF
ohoe in whom the people have had 50
perfect a confidence as IS felt to-day IN
Mr.. Tafrs ability and recttude OF intsn-
ton. So widespread an expectation that
the incoming President viii measure Up
to the full requirements OF his high re-
sponsibiUues Is unusual at the outset OF
a new administration. The woods are
commonly fun Of doubters and critics and
shakers OF heads, and on several oc-
casions the local atmosphere has been
openly hostile. This is. however. an era
OF good feeling, at least so far as Mr..
Taft is concerned
Those who have stood by Mr. Roosevelt
these seven years have his word for it
that Mr. Taft viii make the best sort
OF a President, and Mr.. Taft himself has
sworn fealty TO the Roosevelt doctrines
On the other hand. a considerable section
Of the American people anticipate that
the bulk OF the Rooseveltan policies viii
be quietly but enectually consigned TO
the wastebasket. Occupying q middle
ground between these two extremes Of
prospection are a number Of folk who
hope that the next administration viii be
mildly Rooseveltian. preserving the gains
OF the late unpleasantness but tempera-
mentally suave and diplomatic and com
forting 20 the pocket nerve
Now. somebody may be disappointed IN
the course Of events. Mr.. Taft may not
be able to play al the roles assigned 70
him 70 the complete satisfaction Of sli
his admirers. His administration has yet
10 be developed in detail II opens aus
piciously. great with opportunity. invit-
ing to lofty ambition. but with some ele-
aents OF uncertainty M Taft-s han
ding Of these uncertain elements VIII
probably furnish the supreme test OF his
Executive capacity. There are doubtless
many politicians anxiously awaiting 70
see 3ust how much OF how little beIliger-
ence Mr.. Taft VIII develop in the exer-
else Of Executive power and influence.
So far they have seen only the gloved
hand. Is there a mailed fist within7
The relations between the Executive
and Congress and the degree OF domi-
nance Of the one or the other naturally
vary with the personality OF the President
and the complexion and temper Of the
legislature. Normally neither is master
OF the other. and the healthy relation is
that Of the constitutional check and bal
ance Yet even this relation implies a
certain amount OF antagonism. OF inde-
pendence OF Judgment, and possible diff
ference OF opinion. Mr. Taft enters ONCE
with an evident hope that he may get
along amicably with the legislative
branch. He has rejected the advice of
those hotheads who wanted him 10
sQueIeh Speaker Cannon. and in the
matter OF the tariff he has merely indi-
Gated the general lines on which he
thought revision should be made, Civ
ing the Congressional leaders to under
stand that his duty with respect 10 the
tariff bill would be performed by either
signing OF vetoing IL Suppose. however.
that the tariff bill, when presented. OBJ
viously falls short OF that thorough re-
vision which the President-eIect has
demanded in his public utterances. VIII
he exert his Official influence 70 persuade
/ Congress TO a better performance? VIII
he bold Up patronage until recalcitrant
Senators and Members come around to
his way Of thinking. as some OF his prede-
cessors have done? Or will there be re-
luctant acquiescence in the Congressional
verdict, leaving the question OF Indorsins
/ II 20 the elections Of 1910?
Whatever the future may have in store
for US, we DO well 20 remember that we
are all citizens OF q common country.
and that. after noon to-day. Mr.. Taft VIII
be servant Of US all That he viii give
Of his best to the public service we feel
assured We wish him well. and so does
the mighty nation whose destInies he viii
guide for the next four years
This Is the fateful Fourth OF March. in
deed: though We have no doubt some
f-o7OrsSs-7en viii r,a-Sfsf n beise,-;,e~ 4