New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-10
4 SPLENDID RECORD.

Attorney General Wickersham has
done the Republican party and the coun-
try a service in stating so succinctly in
his speech before the Hamilton Club of
Chicago the record OF achievements with
which the Taft administration should be
credited. The Attorney General made
distinction which should be borne in
mind by persons who thoughtlessly criti-
else the President for every possible
Shortcoming in the fulflment Of the
pledges Of the last Republican national
platform. The President is strictly re
sponsible TO the party only within the
limits OF executive authority. He can
advise Congress. but he cannot control
legislation. and be cannot fairly be held
accountable for what Congress has failed
10 do despite his earnest recommended
tons.
Mr.. Wickersham was well within the
truth when he said last night that "com-
"prehensively stated. the administration
"haS. to the extent of the possible limits
of Executive action, fulfilled every pledge
made in the Republican platform of
1905" The Payne tariff bill was a sub
stantial redemption of Republican prom
Uses. Ii was not without faults of omis-
sion. Vet it was perhaps unreasonable 10
expect Congress, constituted as it was.
10 deal with a confusing question like
the readjustment Of tariff rates in as
liberal and progressive a spirit as the
President and his advisers alone would
have dealt with ii. Much was accom-
plished through the revision of last sum
mer, even though something still remains
10 be accomplished. The Attorney Gen
eral rightly considers the revision as an
advance on the old law and a promise of
further progress.
80 far a. the administration IS con-
cerned, Mr.. Wickersham shows that in q
. series OF special messages the President
has recommended legislation keeping
/ practically all the pledges of the Repub-
/ lican national platform. lie has laid out
/ for Congress possibly more work than
! Congress has the viii or the power 10
accomplish. but he has kept the faith
and cannot be censured if the two houses
adjourn next summer without CONFLICT
/ ing his generous and progressive legis-
] it'tANN 1lAN'ea elilALAlC-
Beyond carrying out Republican
/ pledges Of legislation. the administration
has undertaken important economic re
forms. Ii has at last brought some sem
blance Of order into the preparation Of
! the annual budget and has made the I'M
eXampled record Of reducing the esti-
mates Of one year S94,O0O,00O below the
estimates Of the preceding year and
! SJJ000e0 below the appropriations for
that year. Mr.. Wickersham says with
pardonable pride that there has never
been such d reduction in the history Of
the government, nor is there any record
'of any previous effort 10y any other ad-
ADMINISTRATION 10 reduce estimates similar
ito that made 10y the heads Of depart
''ments this year"
An expected deficit ia the Treasure is
. rapidly being converted into a surplus
Economy In expenditure is being supple
nented by increasing revenues, and ef-
forts 10 extend legislation for the CON
troll Of monopolies are being reinforced
by more extensive prosecutions of offend
ers against the anti-tr law than have
been known under any previous admin
istratiOn. The record of President Tafts
first year in Office has been one Of enor-
nous activity end ample achievement
II is not valued at its real worth be
cause attention has been drawn from ii
to complaints Of party shortcomings for
which the administration is not respon-
sible- The country will appreciate the
Presidents admirable work as soon as il
can be seen clearly, freed from the dis
torting influences Of error and misrepre-
sentation.