The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-11-14

altogether probable that it might
wag along a year or two more under
a better one until commission
could make a fair revision possible.
The president wanted a commits
sion, because he wanted the tariff
adjusted properly-he's sticlxler
for doing things right. Then he de-
sired that the maximum and MINI
mum features be Incorporated, so
that European discrimination against
American products might be met by
a counter stroke, and he got that
Then he desired the publicity Of cor
poration books, so that the stock
buyers might not be imposed upon.
All these features were inoorpor-
ated in the Payne bill, the duties
were lowered, the embargo on Amer
lean products was raised in Europe,
The Canadian tariff troubles were
adjusted and the commission is fast
accomplishing its work.
If the president had rejected the
Payne bill. he had no hope OF get
ting a satisfactory revision, because
none ever had been made and there
were no indications to Justify the
belief that this would be an excep-
tional case; while, on the other
hand, he had the means in this bill
of securing a further fair revision.
and stood a chance OF losing all he
had gained by demanding more.
President Taft was not looking for
votes. but for a fair adjustment of
the tariff, and no reasonable person
can say he did not act honestly and
| frankly with that purpose in view.
The part the tariff played in ohis
campaign az an issue. was the mis-
representation of the presidents at
titude after he had plainly stated
that while he was not satisfied with
the tariff, he accepted it because it
provides for a commission to secure
data for a further revision: and the
failure of Roosevelt and the insur-
gents to recognize the strategic ef-
feet of their attitude toward the tar
en- until it was too late. lends espec-
ial significance to the statement of
William Allen White in the Emporia
(Kas.) Gazette, "The Democrats
ought to win with half the Republi-
cans making speeches for them"
Too late, Roosevelt endorsed the
Taft tariff program; but the mischief
had been done. Senator Cummins.
of Iowa, in his Chicago speech did
the same thing; but that also was too
late. Had Mr.. Roosevelt, when he
first returned frankly announced
that Taft's tariff commission was the
proper idea, and emphasized the in
tention of the administration to
recommend further revision Just as
soon as the commission had finished
its work, he would undoubtedly have
done much TO end the factional
strife in the Republican districts
and line the Insurgents up for the
administration. As 1t was, his
speeches intensified the Republican
feuds, and his attitude gave appar-
ent sanction to the men, who were
fighting President Taft. A speech
against the Payne tariff, without the
saving condition that 1t contained
the excellent commission feature,
was a Democratic speech, and logic
ally so accepted by the public.
Roosevelt and the Insurgents held
the radicals of all parties in line for
the Democratic ticket. while. un-
questionably. the sinister influences
OF Wall street, were anxious to adj
minister a check to Taft's progress
sive policies. The radicals played
into the hands of the reactionaries.
President Taft was right and is
right. Politically he made no mis-
take; certainly as a statesman. he
the proper course. Egotlsm
Roosevelt and gave the ad-
a temporary reverse.
When a general goes into battle, he
must carry out the plans of the COM
and President Taft
happens to be commander-in-chief. |
Mr.. Roosevelt made a blunder.
-O-