New-York tribune., 1910-07-26
NR. TAFTr.S WAY.

President Taft's refusal to take con-
troll of the political situation in Ohio is
clearly set forth in The Tribune's special
correspondence from Columbus, which de-
scribeS the Buckeye Republicans as not
D little nonplussed at being thus forced
10 rely on their own judgment in the
selection of candidates for the Governor
ship and other state Offices. The Ohio
Republicans are described as having
been so long accustomed TO direction
from Washington that they are wholly
unused TO acting Oh their OWN initiative,
So that now that the opportunity Is af-
forded them their first feeling is one of
emba rra ssment rather than of gratifica-
tion. They are. however. born politi-
clans. and there is little reason to doubt
that with the sense of responsibility will
come wisdom and that the ticket chosen
viii be the stronger because it is the IN
trammelled choice of duly elected dele
gates. rather than the suggestion of those
whose first attention must necessarily be
devoted To national affairs
It is characteristic of President Taft
that he should refuse to interfere in the
Ohio situation. 1t is a logical outcome
of his confidence in representative gov
eminent Mr. Taft carries his faith in
the ability of the people IL order well
their own affairs almost to the point of
idealism. perhaps. but it cannot be de-
MED that such confidence on the part of
one standing in so high q place is in it
self an inspir8 ton. and that il must
make for saner and more thoughtful &C
ton. must engender courage and self
reliance. as opposed to the eneryation
and incompetence which come from too
large a measure Of direction and con
troll The same idealism made the Presi-
dent reluctant 10 WELD the big stick"
over members of Congress. Il should re
gard an appeal to the people as against
the men whom they have sent to Wash
"ingt0n TO represent them as an unwar-
'ranted reflection on representative gov
"ernment." he once said when urged to
coerce members Of Congress into show
ing respect for his legislative recon-
mendations.
Mr.. Taft's attitude of mind proved SO
novel to members Of Congress that they
il. In fact. it is question whether
they would have come to understand
il at al had nor their constituents
proved more s8gaCiouS than they. It was
from the people hack home that the
pressure came which in the end sent
every regular and many insurgents to
the White House protesting fealty and
promising support for the Presidents
legislative programme. and which ulti-
m8tely resulted in the unparalleled legis-
lative record Of the last session The
people understood the Presidents high
motives and respected them. even when
the politicians failed 10. and the peo-
pie made their wishes known and felt.
If the people rose 70 the occasion in
their support Of meritorious legislation
is it not reasonable to assume they viii,
do the same IN the ordering Of their
state affairs? And if they do. who can
dispute that Nr. Taft has done the na-
ticn a service Of more than ordinary
ma agnitude? An effective organiza ton is
essential TO success. but even organiza-
tion may he carried too far Candidates
for state Offices should be selected by the
people Of the state Delegates to state
conventions should express the wishes Of
the people Of the state rather than Of
the national organization. and politicians
il trusted with the execution of the
wishes Of the people they are supposed
tn represent should bear in mind that
failure 10 Go their duty will inevitably
lead 10 a universal demand for direct
primaries IS 2 substitute for conven-
tinns
Ohio owes o debt Of gratitude 70 oresi-
dent Taft for refusing TO perpetuate an
objectionable system. That debt can be
best repsid by the nomina ton Of the
strongest ticket on the soundest platform,