The Washington times., 1910-10-03
BY John SNURE.


NEW YORK. Oct 2--Since President
Taft made his speech Saturday night
in New York, before the National Re
publican League, further and most in
ICrcsting light has been thrown on the
question OF what henceforth will be
the attitude Of the President toward the
Insurgents or progressjves IN Congress.
and. for that matter. in the country
generally.
The Information as TO this comes from
such sources that II cannot be cues
toned When in the speech before the
National Republican League. the Presi-
dent gave credit 10 all factions Of the
Republican party FOR The legislation that
had been achieved. and had some good
things 10 say OF the progressivss, by
inference, making il known he regarded
the progressive movement as a moral
movement, he departed so strlkingly
from the position he held Up until a
short time ago that his new attitude
Is likely TO have a profound political
effect. Il IS not only likely TO AFFECT
the progress Of legislation in Congress.
but II may have its influence on the
organization Of the next House. provId-
Ing the Republicans do not lose control
Of that body now something Of much
uncertainty. II may affect 1912 mater
tally and give Mr.. Taft another norni-
nation.
The letter from Beverly restoring pat
ronage to the insurgents was the first
word 10 the effect the President had
had change Of heart. and now the
speech before the National Republican
League emphasizes the change further.
What Is the eXpla nation2
The President said one OF the men
closest 20 hir~. has come to take a
different view 90 the progressive or in
suTgent movement.
Doubted Their Sincerity.
lie is not a man TO change his mind
easily. 1t was hard for him at nrst
70 believe that certain Of the insurgent
leaders were sincere, that back OF them
there could be any considerable public
sentiment He realizes now that the
progressive movement is a great nation
wide movement ard he perceives that It
is likewise a moral movement"
T. was further explained that the
President had come to perceive that re-
Eacdless Of how he might feel toward
certain Of the irsurgent leaders per-
sonaHy. he could not overlook the fact
that there must be a powerful public
feeling back Of them in their States to
sustain them. otherwise they would not
feel warranted in putting I'D so vigorous
a fight as they have put Up. Of course.
the victories Of the progressives in
numerous States have settled any
doubts the President felt before as to
how strong the progressive movement is.
It is stated today on high authority
that the idea that the President Will ac-
cord different treatment to the progress
sives next session Of Congress from that
which they were given lest session is
correct. The President intends, so far
as he can, to enlist the insurgents OF
his side. He intends to depart RADICAL,
from the policy of last session Of coun
selling only with ''old guard" leaders
He Will send for the progressive leaders.
too, and seek their advice and counsel.
1t remains to be seen whether he Will
establish good relations with all OF the
insurgents. The break between the
President and some Of the insurgent
leaders, like Senators La Toilette, Cum
minis and Deliver, was so complete that
it may never be restored
Councillors Whlsperlngs.
One trouble about the situation is that
certain Of the Presidents advisers keep
telling him that some Of the insurgent
leaders are ambitious TO be President
and hence are not DESTROYS of being on
good terms with Mr.. Taft
It Will not be surprising IL the coming
winter in Washington sees to a large
extent change in the insurgent atti-
tude toward the Administration. Doubt
less President Taft, having so long
treated the Insurgents coldly, viii have
TO meet them more than half way.
But there is this fact about the situ-
alton that has to be borne in mind The
insurgents have never asked that Presi-
dent Taft shut the "Old Guard leaders
out of the White House and stop con-
Sulting them. They would have been
satisfied had he consulted freely with
the insurgent leaders, while at the
same time consulting with lead
eTS of the old organization. It was
the idea of going completely over to
the regular side and taking a hostile at
tltude toward them. that gave the insur-
gents what theSTconSidered a lust griey-
ance against the Administration
If now, the President, in line with his
recent utteranceS. seeks out the insur-
gents and seeks their counsel and takes
"A reasonable measure of their guidance
something like a complete revolution
in sentiment of a large element in Con-
EregS toward the White HOuSa mo-, 10