The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-04
PRESIDENT TAEr


William Howard Taft. of Ohio, was
inducted today into the office of presi-
dent of the United States with cere-
monies Of the simple and dignifed sort
that are most compatible with and sig
| nlhcant of the ideals of the best
democratic republic on the face of the
earth. He assumes the exacting and
onerous duties of this high position, as
powerful a one as there is on the globe
under circumstances of a most auspi-
cious character both for himself and for
his country. The people elevated him
to this place with a commanding vote.
1t was a token OF their confidence in
his remarkable abilities as public ad-
ministrator, abilities which have been
tried and tested in many fields and
never found to be wanting.
Mr.. Taft is essentially a peoples pres
ident, because of the enormous vote he
polled. In fact, it is not too much to
say that he has the respect and good
will of even those who cast their votes
against him on the last general cleo
tion day. That he will be the president
of the people, keeping in mind their
interests, first, last and all the time,
there can not be the slightest shadow
of doubt. His honesty and integrity
~ "a SAAC OAAA AOCS(AO1SQ SOTL. WIN Iu1S
in mind reading of his admirable in
augural address will convince even the
most skeptical of his intentions. This
address sets forth concisely and CO.
gently his we'll known views on all of
the public questions. such as he de-
ivered them in more detail during the
presidential campaign and in his several
speeches since that time. He takes the
opportunity in it to again emphasize
the fact that he intends to follow in
the path hewn out by his predecessor,
Mr.. Roosevelt, on many of the great
questions of the day. especially in re-
gard to the restraint Of mammoth cor
porations and trusts within the bounds
Of moral decency, and also in provid-
ing for more adequate supervision and
regulation of the great railroad systems
by the federal government.
That these intricate and perplexing
matters of such momentous caliber to
the interest of the people of the coun-
try will be solved in the best possible
way under Mr.. Taft's direction there is
little room for doubt. Mr.. Roosevelt
once said that Mr.. Taft was far better
fitted for this work than he was himself
There is no doubt that because
of an appreciation of the magnitude of
these particular tasks that Mr. Taft
has surrounded himself with a cabinet
of lawyers of the highest training and
efficiency. With these advisers he ought
to have no trouble in formulating plans
which will correct in an adequate fash
ion, if congress can be made to see
things in the same way, as 1t undoubt-
edly will, many of the corporate, rail-
road and other evils which are to be
dealt with.
Because of the smiling, laughing,
happy disposition of Mr.. Taft an opin-
ion has grown up in some quarters that
his administration may be an easy-go-
ing one. This is probably quite as far
from the truth as anything could be.
It will be just as vigorous as has been
the Roosevelt administration, unless
those who know Mr.. Taft best are most
terribly mistaken. but it's vigor may be
in other than Rooseveltian
ways. But William H. Taft is quite
as much of a stickler for the square
deal in all things as Mr.. Roosevelt.
Behind smiles, hearty laughs, there is
a stern, strong will. AS the eminent
Cardinal Gibbons said recently: "Mr.
Taft possesses an iron hand in a silken
glove Mr.. Taft will accomplish his
purposes in an orderly fashion with the
use Of diplomacy and persuasion.
The beginning of the Taft admins
tration is marked by an era of good
feeling in Washington. Indeed Mr.. Taft
and the leaders in both branches of
are starting out in harmony
with each other. There is reason to be-
lieve that this will continue. 1t is par
ticuIarly refreshing that this is so and
augurs we'll for the success of the Taft
administration. To Mr.. Taft are ex-
tended the best wishes and congratu-
lations of a happy. prosperous people
and they in turn are to be congratula-
ted because of the reasonable certainty
that the administration of the affairs
of the government are in such safe and
able hands as his.
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