The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-11
Support of Payne-A|drIch
Law Is Not Real Test for
True Republicans
PARTY IS PLEDGED TO
SPECIFIC REFORMS
The President Has Adopted the Plan
of Not Tanning the Flames of
Insurgency But VIII Offer
Terms of Peace

President Taft is for party peace, but
1t must be brought about on peaceable
terms.
Moreover, the President believes that
peace is not SO difficult of attainment.
The White House view is that the Pres
fdent and main body of his party are
not so far apart as appearances seem
10 Indicate. There have been misunder-
standings, perhaps. that may be easily
adjusted.
1t can be asserted ON the highest au-
thority that the President is not max
lng war on the members of his party
who disagree with him on the tariff.
Support of the Payne-Aldrich bill while
It was pending in Congress and approv-
Il of that law as it stands on the stat
ate books is not the Presidents final
Test of mans republicanism. There
fore, with his consent and approval
there will be no reading out of the
party of men who are unable to follow
The President on the tariff question.
Oi tiiC dulllOllly II Cdl D6 Sdlu
hat Mr.. Taft comedies that there are
ind may be honest differences with re-
gard to the tariff. While not receding
rom the attitude he has assumed the
President admits that a man may dis
approve the Payne -Aldrich law and
IT'LL be a good republican.
1t is where opposition Is manifested
10 all of the policies of the adminis-
fraf ho hn al I'M
lhows its head and puts it's devotees
beyond the pale.
Pledged to Reforms
In his view the repub1icaff party is
pledged to certain specific reforms-in-
erstate, commerce, statehood, postal
,avings banks, conservation, injunc-
ions, and it is the duty of every re-
publican to cooperate Loyalty in CARRY
hg out these pledges If one man or
,ne set of men having opposed the
ariff make fight against every meas
ire proposed by the administration, 1t
nuts be taken for granted that these
men are at odds with their party and
IAN only be regarded as having desert
Id it's ranks
In this view Of the situation, and
,aving regard for the recent acts q. the
republican convention in Indiana, the
President has adopted plan that will
,e rigidly adhered to. He will not go
10 Indianapolis. This determination is
lot because of political considerations,
tut by reason of social obligations
which require his presence in Wash
ngton.
But even if he did go to indianapolis
he would not fan the flames of faction
llism by discussing the tariff in any
way condemnatory of the Indiana ac-
hon He will not countenance any
movement looking to the reading out of
he party of those whose sole offense is
hat they differ from him and from the
majority of their party, too, on the tar
n question and on that solely.
Laws Wanted BY Taft
Instead, the President will devote his
whole energy to having put through
Congress that legislation which he be-
ieves most accords with the platforms
,ledges on which he was elected. He
will make the adoption of his legisla-
Ave programme the one duty of the
,our, as he told the members of the
League of Republican clubs at the BAN
luet at tho Arlington hotel last night.
The Presidents message to all re-
,ublicans, therefore, Is to keep the
,arty pledges. enact the promised leg
Station, and go home with clean con-
,c;ences. When that has been DONE
.fter Congress has adjourned, the Pres
dent believes there will be plenty of
lime for the party to take account Of
Itcck and adjust it's lines for the, com
hg contest.
The President believes the outlook is
fright IL Congress will do Its duty. The
me danger of the situation Is that the
teal insurgency will develop against the
pther administration measures as 1t did
90 sal, sc fhA t,f of
which the President believes the part
ing of the ways will be reached.
II the Interstate commerce bill is to
Be fought and the conservation bills
opposed and statehood held up, 1t Will
Ie proof to the President that the in
surgents are real seceders from the
party, opposed to those measures to
which the party is committed, and
therefore not to be regarded any longer
- republicans.
These things will all be developed in
the days that remain of this session
u Congress. When it adJourns the
house cleaning may commence.
Taft Not Dismayed
In the light of this exposition of the
Presidents plan, it will be seen that he
ID not dismayed, tn ough disappointed
over the Indiana action. He himself.
II ough pledged to the Payne Aldrich
bill, Is committed to the tariff board
plan, which Is admittedly intended to
make better even 1.-The best tariff bill
the republican party ever passed" The
President sees no reason for a split
party on the tariff. He has his doubts
lg to the wisdom of the Indiana plate
form; he Is not inclined to believe that
other states will follow that lead he
10 in receipt daily. of letters and tele-
grams uph olding his position.
The address which Attorney General
Wickersham delivered last night on
"The Administration" is highly satis-
factory to the President, because he be-
lieves that 1t is a fair summing up of
the work OF his administration to date.
or particular significance in this ad-
dress was the next to last paragraph,
n which the Attorney General pays his
respects to the insurgents. Those who
cannot follow the President In the re-
forms that he urges upon Congress. Mr..
Wickersham declares frankly, had bet
ter leave the party. The real party test
viii be on the support given to the leg
isaltion pledged by the party, not ones