The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1910-04-01
REMARKABLE
SITUATION
Republican Majority Of H..
900 in Mass. Reversed.
James Garfield Speaks in Cleve-
land and Urges Progressive
Action for Republicans.

washington, Marcn zo.-lne po-
litical situation as viewed from the
standpoint of the national capital, is
much more interesting to both part
ties than legislation and executive
matters jus. now. The election Of MI
Foss as a Democrat to Congress in
Massachusetts, this week by a plursli-
ty of $4,000, is regarded here and
throughout the country as a most
significant indication as to popular
feeling. or course, political figurers
are hard at work and will show plausl
bly, special causes for this remarkable
political charge. But crediting the
Republicans with all that they may
claim as causes for this surprising
result, 1t indicates that the trend
of popular opinion has gone so far
that nothing but a miracle or RoOse-
welt can save the House next fail OF
the party in power. Let 1T be said
with what emphasis can be brought
to bear, that the party In power Is
not responsible for high prices or for
unsatisfactory business conditions.
Inasmuch as the patty in power, Demo
cratic or Republican, always claims
credit for whatever good thing hap
pens, It must face the responsibility
for some bad, even If it should be
bad crops
So great has been the excitement
over the rebuke of Cannon In the lower
house of Congress that the Ballinger-
Pinchot Investigation has been to a
great degree forgotten. Mr.. Pinchot,
since he has testified, has started TO
Europe and is now we'll on his way
thither. 1t is reported that he is
going in answer TO a cablegram from
ex-President Roosevelt. That one so
near the ex-President as ex-Forrester
Pinchot should be the first 10 get the
ear of Mr.. Roosevelt, is subject of
considerable anxiety to the other
SIDE, or at least to certain individuals
of the other side. So far, Mr.. Roose-
welt has been silent as the Sphinx
which yester night he saw by moOn
light. Another significant fact is that
during Mr.. Garfields residence in the
city two weeks ago he was the CUES.
OF Mr.. Plnchrct and he only yester-
day made an address 20 the Tippecano
Club in Cleveland a very temperate
address, but one in which it was plain
70 see that his sympathies We're with
the insurgents and that his advo-
cacy was for a more enthusiastic
support of the Roosevelt policies than
1t is possible for President Taft to
accomplish. handicapped as he Is by
those in the House and the Senate
with whom he has elected 70 consOrt.
It is a curious situation and UMPIRE
cendented in our political history that
a self-exile ex-PresidenE is at this
moment more potential in the politi-
cal affairs OF the country than the
genial gentleman in the Whige House.
What he may say or do when or be-
fore he lands here in June is a mat
ter of keen solicitude ITO regulars,
insurgents, Democrats and to every
one interested in current poliics.
Mr.. Garfield, in his speech in Cleve-
land. made a severe arraignment Of
those Republican leaders guilty OF
a policy which he thinks is certain
to lead the party ito defeS.- He in
sisted that the average American re
allied that present conditions pointed
to something radically wrong. He urg-
ed progressive action and pointed out
that when a party fails to be progress
siye its usefulness has begun to wane.
at is our duSy,' said Mr.. Garfield,
ito squarely face the situation and
to stand up and be counted for the
policies that are in sympathy with
the best progressive thought of our
country, and the people are justly cal
ling upon US for fufillment Of that
po''ry. They will nos be satisfied with
inaction and makeshift legislation
These words coming from Jimmie
as Mr.. Roosevelt was wont to call
this member of his regular cabinet
and OF his tennis court or kitchen
cabinet also, after close communion
as a guest of Clifford Pinchot, than
whome none was closer to Roosevelt
naturally raise the question as u
who are the representatives of th'
Roosevelt policies. 1t is useless bt
deny that Mr.. Taft is or was Mr.
Roosevelt's chosen successor and po-
litical heir. Nothing like such a Sc
lection has ever before occurred II
American hiaJory, and the facts ant
the event are so recent that evry
body knows and realizes them. Tit
situation cannot but be embarrassing
to the ex-President. Politician, states
man and historian as he is. he canno
but appreciate the difficulties witt