The Washington times., 1911-02-14
Some Congressman Say He
Is Political Suicide; 9th
ers, Rejuvenated.
MUCH DEPENDING ON
ACTION OF CONGRESS
President Reported to Be Support
ing Canadian Pact Simply Be-
cause He Thinks 1t Right.

| About the Capitol, they are talking of
the effect Of the Administration move
ment for reciprocity on national poll
tics; talking 1t, in fact, about as much
as they are the agreement itself.
Busily, indeed, are the Republican
members of the House and Senate en-
| gagged in voicing their woDderment as
to whether this reciprocity pact is going
to beat Taft for President in 1872, or
whether 1t is going to elect him. More
over. the members of the House and
Senate are discussing the effect on the
grand old party itself.
The Democrats are resting easy. They
have notion that all this is calculated
to help them. They don't perceive as
yet just how reciprocity with Canada Is
going to damage their chances in 1912-
Rather. they incline to the belief that
Canadian reciprocity will open the doors
to other tariff reductions.
President Taft has got into a most in
teresting position politically as the re-
suit Of the Canadian reciprocity agree
ment. Some say it will ruin him DO
litically.
Driven Away Farmers Votes.
He has absolutely driven the farmer
vote away from himself" is the way
some of the seers and prophets put it.
He's driven the farmers away from
the Republican party is another view
one hears frequently expressed.
Representative Gaines Of West Vir-
ginia, for instance. in the debate in the
House on the Canadian reciprocity
agreement, was extremely pessimistic as
to the effect of the agreement on the
farmer vote.
The farmers will vote for the devil
before they will vote for a party that
puts their products on the free list" ex-
claimed Mr.. Gaines, who is an able
member Of the Ways and Means Com
mittee, but is an uncompromising stand
patter.
Mr.. Gaines voiced the feelings of
many Republicans in Congress. Some
of the standpatters talk that way and
so do some of the progressives who are
against the agreement.
Ultra Conservatives Bitterest.
The men in Congress who, on the
whole, are vociferating most angrily
at President Taft are the standpatters
of the ultra conservative variety. They
are the men who want no stone In the
protection arch touched They have
visions Of the whole arch dropping down
and crushing the heads of 5000, 900 peo-
pie If there is any tampering with the
arch aforesaid. They go about nursing
a grudge against the President. Some
of them have been wondering and ask
ing where they could find some other
candidate to support for 1872, but up to
date they do not seem to have thought
Of any one satisfactory to them.
This is the anti-Taft side Of the situa-
ton. President Taft himself did not
go into the business of trying to get
a reciprocity agreement through Con-
gress with any notion 1t would help him
politically. At least, II he had any such
notion, he concealed It He is reputed
toNhave told some Of his friends he sup
posed this woull ruin him politically,
but he believed 1t was right and didn't
care.
Will Turn Sentiment Toward Taft.
Even the Presidents closest friends,
that is, those of any political acumen.
admit that his political fortunes have
been at a pretty low ebb since the
Payne-Aldrich tariff bill was passed
But they believe this Is going to re-
habilitate him completely. and that.
instead Of it hurting him, as 30 many
In the next campaign. Those who
reckon in this fashion take the view
that the ultimate consumer is going to
be just as extremely busy in the next
election as he was last election; that
he is going to take the view the Presl-
dent has done something for him and
that he Is going to- vote for TaE
accordingly. Further, Mr.. Taft's friends
think that this is not going to ALLEVIATE
the farmer vote from the Republican
party in any such fashion as is feared
in some quarters.
Depends on Ratification.
President Tafts recent trip West
brought forth many manifestations Of
friendliness to his Canadian reciprocity
agreement, and he is constantly getting
letters and messages of approval. Not
since the Administration began has he
stirred anything up that has called forth
so many expressions Of commendation.
This is not saying that there is not dis
approval in some quarters. but 1t Is
clear the President has awakened en-
thusiasm as we'll as stirred up oppost-
ton.
1t is pretty generally conceded that al
question of political effect much Dc
pends on whether the President is sue
,cessful in forcing the Canadian reclp-
rocity agreement through Congress. II
he should fail to crowd it to vote and
should get beaten by the opponents of
reciprocity, it is difficult to see how he
could escape being hurt. On the other
hand, a successful fight, Mr. Taft's po-
strengthen him in the eyes of the coun-
try. Especially would this be the case
If Canadian reciprocity worked as well
as its advocates think 1t will.