The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-03-10

Had Roosevelt given his consent to try
for another term last summer, he un-
doubtedly would have been elected, for
there has been no President of recent
years so popular with the common man.
His methods may have been wrong, but
his heart was right. His many-sided-
ness is shown in his skillful and diplo-
matte management of the Russian-Japa
nese trouble, eliminating in the treaty
at Portsmouth, his handling of the Pan
anna canal, the Philippine question, the
warfare on trusts, the plea for the con-
servation of our vast natural resources,
his position on the question of child-la-
Dor, and his unwavering efforts for civic
righteousness, a square deal and fair
play. 1t will be years before the cooling
of prejudices and passions will find him
properly located as he deserves. So
strenuous a man made many enemies,
who while they condemned his actions,
never questioned his motives.
The change from Roosevelt to Taft is
one of persons, not of principles, per-
haps not of policies, for Taft has indi-
Gated his purpose to carry forward GER
tain reforms that his predecessor had be-
gun. The same end will be sought but
by different means. The expression "My
policies" and facetious reference to the
Big Stick will be absent, and judicial
thought and action will be accorded
worthy objects. The experience gained by
President Taft at the Bar, on the Bench,
in the Philippines, at the Isthmus, in
the Cabinet and in various minor duties
have broadened and educated him so
thoroughly that no man in the country
to-day is as we'll fitted to administer the
exacting duties of the Presidential Office
as the big man now occupying it. His
attitude toward the South and his ex-
pressions of goodwill have raised high
hopes in that section, and he already
occupies an exalted position in the hearts
south of Mason and Dixon's line.
But six weeks remain of the Legisla,
tive session, and something over 1000
bills remain to be acted upon. So far
the Governor has signed five bills. The
great mass of stuff will make necessary
many sessions and hard work, and even
at that, most of the bills will fall by the
wayside,-a deserved fate. Appropria-
tions, local option, pensions, good roads,
and Capitol Park extension will be like
ly to receive the most attention for a
time, and less important measures will
take their chances.
The Fair local option bill comes up
for second reading on Tuesday. 1t may
get past that, but is doomed to defeat
later on and Its friends know it. Some
way of avoiding a direct vote will be
found so that the members may not have
to go on record, but the supporters of
the measure feel sanguine of better re-
suits next session.
There will be no pension law enacted
at this session on account of the lack of
revenue, and by the same token there
ought to be no automobile road. Good
roads legislation is needed, but the
State has not S., ,OOO,O 900 for an automo-
bile road from Philadelphia to Pittsburg,
if there is nospecial money for pensions,
charities or schools. State roads con-
Meeting the county seats and the prin-
cipal towns ought to be built and some
system should be observed, but $5,-
600, 900 road, such as is contemplated,
would benefit but comparatively few.
The bill for the extension of Capitol
Park has passed the Senate, and now
goes to the House. Generally speaking
the press throughout the State seems to
be in favor of the bill, but again the
question of revenue bobs up. Every
body admits that the property in ques-
ton can be purchased now more reason
ably than it ever can again, and the
Park needs to be enlarged so as to pro-
vide an adequate setting and surround
ings for the handsome building, but the
success of the bill is by no means as
sured.
Senator Knox has forwarded to Gov.
Stuart his resignation as U. S. Senator,
and successor will be chosen next. By
common consent that honor will fall to
Geo. T. Oliver, of Allegheny county.
Oliver will serve out the two years and
in 1911 his successor will be named. As
Allegheny county wants to name the
next Governor, the successor to Oliver
will not be Oliver.
Like wise man, President Taft chose
three natives of the old Keystone state
in selecting material for his Cabinet. He
has surrounded himself with an able
corps of advisers and the Nations af-
fairs are in the hands of safe and con-
petent men. N. f. HAUsE.