The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1910-02-17

Law Eseep, to Strengthen l,--Finjs
Democratic Party Demorali1ed
New York, Feb. If the en-.
fofcement Of the law IL not consist
eni VIA the present method d car
rying ON business. then Il does not
speak well for the present methods
OF conducting business, and they
must be changed to conform to the
law
This was President Taft's answer
10 Wall street and its cry OF panic.
II was made 10 cheering audience
Of hundreds OF prominent Repabli-
cans gathered at the annual Lincoln
day dinner OF the Republican club OF
this city. Governor Hughes shared
the honors of the evening with the
president,
Mr., Taft adhered 10 his purpose OF
discussing platform pledges and how
they should be kept II was at the
conclusion OF detailed argument as
to how the Republican party Is re-
deeming its pledges that he came TO
the antitrust law and Wall street,
on which his utterances had been
awaited with the greatest interest
The president declared that the adj
ministration would not 'foolishly run
amuck IN business and destroy values
and confidence just for the pleasure
of doing SO.
mo one," he continued. has
motive as strong as the administration
in power TO cultivate and strengthen
business confidence and prosperity.
But there was no promise on the
part of the Republican party to change
the antitrust law except 10 strengthen
IT, OF course the government at
Washington can be counted on to en-
force the law In the way best calculat-
ed to prevent destruction OF pubic
confidence In business, but that II
must enforce the law goes without
saying"
The president said the Republican
party has made no promise to soften
application of the antitrust law and
that hysteria and Hypocrisy were
shown In blind denunciation Of motives
Of men OF the highest character.
Leaders of the Republican party.
he said, are subjected to question
ing Of their motives without adequate
evidence to justify 1t.
Mr.. Taft declared that the true
reason for high prices is increase of
values and possibly in some cases to
combinations in restraint of trade.
President Taft did not hesitate to
deal with the attacks which have been
made upon the administration and the |
party, or the danger to future sue
cesses In the insurgent movement and |
other dissensions. But Republicans |
who feared defeat at the polls In No
vember. he declared, should TAX,
courage from the demoralized condi-
ton of their opponents, the Demo
Gratis.
Mr.. Taft again came to the defense
Of the Payne-A ldrich tariff bill He
did not hesitate, he said, to repeat
that It substantially complied with
the party pledge for tariff revision
and that, through this bill, the party
had set itself strongly In the right
direction toward lower tariffs.
The president brought statistics
into his argument to demonstrate
that, during the first six months OF
the new tarlff law, there has been
IL percent reduction In the percent
age ad valorem duties have paid on
imports and IL percent increase In
The percentage Of imports admitted
Tree. Time and wider knowledge
be thought. would serve to Justify the
Dill.
Reviewing the party platform, the
president dwelt upon postal savings
banks. amendments to the Interstate
commerce law, the anti -injunc.ion
blank, statehood for Arizona and
New Mexico. and the conservation OF
natural resources. bills to carry all OF
which promises into effect were pend
ng In congress, and he believed
would be passed.