New-York tribune., 1910-06-21
THE PRESIDENTS VICTORY.

The completeness with which Con-
gress is carrying President Taft's legis.
lative programme into effect must be an
unpleasant surprise to those who have
been trying for months past TO spread
the idea that the Republicans in the two
houses had lost confidence in tho Presi-
dents leadership The Republican ma
jority in Congress was pictured as hope
lessly divided, one faction-the Regu-
lars-acting with the President, but Civ
ing his measures only forced and per-
functory support because it considered
them too radical, snd the other-the In
Observation-Disclosures from him and criti-
cising his suggestions because it did not
consider them radical enough.
The situation may have looked dark
at times at Washington, where the differ
ences of opinion between the two groups
Of Republicans in the House and Senate
doomed much large" than they did any
where else. Less than a month ago it was
confidently asserted that the Presidents 5
legislative programme had gone to
wreck That assertion was based on
the assumption that the apparent con-
f1ict within the Republican party was
widespread and 'irrepressible." But
that assumption was exploded just
when Washington was most disposed to
accept it at face value, The primary
elections III Iowa and South Dakota
showed clearly that the Republican vot.
ers were not dividing along the lines
drawn for them by factionists in Con-
gress. Even in Western states sup
posed to be afianle with insurgent senti-
ment the rank and file seemed indif-
ferent to the Insurgent-Stalwart issue,
and not at all inclined to discriminate
against Republicans with good records
at Washington or III state politics
merely because they happened to be
classified as Stalwarts or as Insurgents.
The voters displayed a far greater lib
crafty and solidarity Of sentiment than
had been displayed by the leaders who
pretended to speak for them. They re-
buked factionalisra and extremism and
indicated that they stood for the pro-
gressive and practical Republicanism
represented in the leadership of Presi-
dent Taft.
There can be no question that that
demonstration has greatly strengthened
the influence Of the President and
quieted the spirit Of faction in the two
houses. BY standing firm in his in
sistence- that good faith required the
passage Of certain laws by this Con
gress, Mr.. Taft has triumphed signally
over dissension and obstruction He has
had his way because Congress has been
brought to recognize the fact that the
party speaks through him, and that the
great majority Of Republicans approve
his programme His leadership has
gained weight. and as a result Of the
changes which have taken place in the
organization Of the House Of Represen-
tatives the inertia to be overcome in the
legislative branch by a President at
tempting to express the popular will has
been materially lessened. The legisla-
ton accomplished at the second session
Of the 61st Congress is an evidence of
the growing power Of the President in
party councils. It is a happy augury Of
the administrations continued success
in promoting party harmony and justi-
flying Republican rule by adequate re-
suits in the way of liberal and progress
siTe legislation.