The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-01-26

also, naturally compel the average
Republican lawmaker to look to the
white house for the leadership which
every political party must have and
acknowledge. The action of the Ohio
delegation, early last week, proclaim
Ing the president to be the leader Of
the party. struck responsive chord
among Republicans generally, and
has served to focus the attention of
congress on the white house. 1t also
has had the effect of emphasizing the
absence Of generally recognized
leadership on capitol hill, and of in
creasing the tendency to look to the
president for guidance during the
present session.
Not in many years has a president
had a better, il as good, an opportu-
nifty to prevail on the lawmakiEg
body to carry into execution his rec
concentrations for legislation. 1t is
to be- presumed that Mr.. Taft not only
''zes his advantage, but will make
the most of 1t. His conference with
three influential senators Friday
was an Indication of his purpose to
follow up his advantage. and further
evidence may be anticipated from time
to time. Happily, the president en-
joys friendly relations with the va
rious factions in his party, and this
should facilitate the attainment of
material results in the matter of leg
islation. There will be little need Of
the employment of methods suggestive
of intimidation, though it cannot be
said that Mr.. Taft temperamentally
would prefer such course.
President Not Hasty.
To be sure. the president does not
expect congress to act favorably this
winter on all of his recommendations
nor does any one else familiar with
the manner in which laws are passed
or with the divergent views enunciat-
ed by the different elements compris-
ing the membership of the senate and
house. But this now seems to be as
sured: Before this session shall end
there will be written in the federal
statute books laws which embody the
spirit and even the letter of some of
the most important of the so-called
Roosevelt policies-policies to which
not only Mr.. Taft but the Republican
party also was committed by the ma
tional platform adopted in Chicago
in June, 1908.
profess to be apprehensive lest the
president be not steadfast in his fealty
to the policies of his predecessor as
he should. These men may have rea-
sons not yet disclosed for entertain
ing such views, or, at least, pretend
ing to do so. But there are others
in congress who disagree with them,
and one conspicuous example Of this
class is Representative Longworth of
Cincinnati, son-in-law Of the former
president, who, it must be admitted,
should possess an intimate knowledge
of what Col. Roosevelt was advocat-
ing.
Last night. in an interview, which
he had prepared with full apprecia-
tion of the significance of every word,
Mr.. Longworth said:
ut perhaps might seem to the pub
lie at large that the Republicans of
the house are losing sight of the
progressive legislation of primary i'm
portance to the American people in
party quarrels. but want to en-
phasize the fact there are many deter
mined men in the house who are go
ing to see to it that this legislation
is not only not to be lost sight of, but
is going to be acted on. The rank
and file of the Republican party are
not to be deferred from carrying out
those policies Of progressive Republi-
canism. inaugurated under the last
administration, either by the ultra
conservatives on the one hand or the
violent radicals on the other and
these are the policies which have
been recommended by President Taft.
call them by what nai--e you will
Expects Good Results.
Then as though in explanation Of
ment. and in elucidation thereof, the
Cincinnati member continued:
ut seems to me that the declara-
tion of the Republicans of the Ohio
delegation ought to produce good re-
suits, not only in emphasizing the
fact that we are to a man behind the
president. but in calling attention to
the Importance of speedy action at
this session on the legislation rec
commended by the president. Public
attention has been detracted by things
which amount to comparatively little
from things that amount to a graet
deal. 1t is of far more importance
that the Republican party should re-
deem. at this session of this congress,
the pledges made in it's platform and
supported by the president in his
speeches and in his various messages
than it is to determine who is to be
speaker of the next house, or wheth-
err some of the rules ought to be
changed at the next congress"
Perhaps if one were to read be-
tween the lines of Mr.. Longworth's g
statement he could discern a desire
on his part to create the impression
that the real test of Republicanism is
not to be found in supporting or op-
posing Mr.. Cannon for reelection as
speaker or in advocating or combat
ing the plans of the insurgents. but
in the average lawmakers willing
ness to clear the way for the con-
summation of the policies to which
he alluded. Moreover, this is the
view the president takes, and is seek
ing to impress on the minds of stall
wart and insurgent. in both branches
of congress. Just now there are Wis
ible signs which indicate that more
obstacles may be placed in the presi-