New-York tribune., 1909-01-01
THE YEAR AT HOME.

a-1 opnoSition SO vaCillating ana untrustWoIlhS
- the Democratic party. The Presidential eiec-
ton Of 1903 proved that the American electorate
,s influenced more by reason than by prejudice
and has learned to discount denagogy and mere
campgign professions. The elections of 1896
1900 1904 and 1905 have thoroughly vindicated
the theory Of popular rule. dictated by popular
intelligence.
The campaign for the Republican and Demo
cratic Presidential nominations found an en-
feebIeI reactionary element contendinS IN each
partv with a powerful progressive sentiment. Ii
Is fair 10 say that the popular support given 10
the Roosevelt policies made the nomination OF
both Mr. Taft and Mr.. Bryan inevitable the
opnosition to NIr Taft was able 10 make some
show OF strength because of the disorganizatlon
NJ the Republican party in the Gulf states Con
tests we're easily fomented, and ii was not until
the emptiness Of most of the claims of the op-
rositfon was disclosed al the hearings on con-
rested seats before the national committee that
the real impotence OF the anE-Ta1t forces was
generally recognized. On the first ballot at Chi
cago Mr.. Taft got 7O2 out of $50 votes In the
Democratic National Convention st Denver Mr..
R-van got 1921 out Of .o06 votes
The campaign of 1908 Jagged at the beginning,
hut became intensely active at the end both can
didates making extensive stumping tours MI
Brvan's chances did not seem hopeless until
ground steadily. His bargain with Mr.. GomperS
and the labor union leaders and his refusal to
discuss its terms or TO say whether or not he
favored the blacklist and the secondary boycott
weakened him greatly. and the last month Of the
canvass he was clearly on the defensive. It Is
apparent that many Democrats, though support
ing local Democratic candidates. were unwilling
to fnrr7Ist the conduct Of national affairs to Mr..
BRYAN. He lost five states which elected Demo
cratic Covernors-Indiana, Minnesota. Montana,
North Dakota and Ohio-and the popular vote
for Democratic Representatives In Congress was
G.554. .l44. while his popular vote was 6.4O5,7o1.
Mr. Taft ran considerably ahead II the Repub-
Fca7 candidates for Congress, his total being
7,677.544 and that for the Republican candidates
for Congress only 7241,798 Mr.. Bryan, how
ever. poIled 1.326,O03 more votes than ex-Judge
Parker did IN 1904. thus justifying IN a measure
bis third candidacy.
In this state Governor Hughes's progressive
administration and his successful efforts to en-
force the state constitution by revoking the spe-
cial license given in the Percy Gray law to race
track gambling were sustained by public senti-
rnent which first forced his denomination By the
Republican party and then elected him by
larger plurality than he received in 1906. The
excellent legislative record Of 1907 was supple
mented bv the passage IN 1903 of the anti-race-
the receivership system and laws putting the
management Of banks and trust companies on
much sounder basis.
The output Of federal legislation in 1903 was
not so fun or so far-reachlng in scope as was the
OUTPUT OF 1906 or 1907. Much was done, how
ever TO carry into compieter effect the policies
OF the Roosevelt administration. A new law
extending the liability Of common carriers fer
injuries 10 employees was passed to replace the
earlier law, declared unconstitutional by the
United States Supreme Court Under the terms
Of the new statute injuries involving liability
must occur in the course Of actual interstate
foreign commerce. The provisions Of the rail
road rate regulation law regarding the issuance
Of passes were also amended and strengthened.
An emergency currency law was passed-to re-
main in force til June so, 181Apermlttlng the
issue OF emergency currency by associations Of
national banks TO meet extraordinary demands.
A monetary commission was also created and
instructed TO report changes deemed by it TO be
necessary and desirable in the countTy's none
tary system. Among other important legislative
tasks accomplished at the first session OF the
Goth Congress were these: A simplifcation OF
customs administration methods, reclassiica-
ton of cOnsulates, a reorganization Of the reve-
nue. marine service and the lifesaving service,
an increase Of pay for the army, the navy and
n
cal corps Of the army, an enlargement of the
marine corps and revision Of the nationalzeG
militia law. The membership of the Philippine
Commission was increased and the application OF
the navigation laws Of the United States to Phil
ippine shipping was Indefinitely postponed. The
United States Senate ratified most Of the treaties
signed ar the Hague Conference Of 1907, pro
noting international arbitration and mOderating
the rigors of war on land and sea. II also rati-
fed three conventions for the composition of out
standing differences with the Dominion Of Can
ada
In the field OF federal administration much
progress was made toward the safeguarding and
scientific development of the countrys natural
resources. Conferences between the state and
national authorities were arranged. and the
President appointed on June s, 1908, q National
Conservation Commission to prepare plans FOR
state and federal cooperation IN protecting IVA
tiers, forests. lands and minerals Work On The
Panama Canal proceeded at an exceptional rate
and general conditions on the isthmus were vast
ly improved.
The voyage Of an American feet Of battleships
around the world, the first feat OF the sort ever
undertaken proved a remarkable success. The
feet has travelled without accident OF nisad-
venture Of any sort from Hampton Roads
around Cape Horn TO Sen Francisco 10 Hawaii.
Australia, Japan. China. the Philippines and
Ceylon, and is now in the Red Sea.
One incident Of administration has been the
STEADY increase of expenditure in the face Of a
shrinkage of Treasury receipts. The deficits Of
1907-Os and l9OS-09 viii exceed $4,000 O00
and new sources Of revenue will soon have 10 be
supplied through a revision of the tax laws.
The year began liz period Of industrial and
financial depression. There has been a gradual
recovery but commerce and manufacturing have