The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-08-09
AN APPRECIATION
OF THE PRESIDENT,
: :. I. !. = 4. I. : I. I. I. 1. :, -. " =.
BY Chase S. Osborn,
Governor of Michigan.

|
II Is always next tn impossible To
approach accuracy In writing contem-
lporaneous history or measuring men
of the present. The task is not so
great as II was before the present high
leverage plane of intelligence had been
attained and the great facility OF COM
munication and intercourse accom-
plished. People think emmasse now To
n greater degree than ever before and
the pendulum OF public opinion swings
more rapidly.
When william Howard Taft be-
came president he encountered an ex-
cited public mind. The people had
been stung to resentment by public
and private abuses. Honest REFORM
ere had cried from housetops all over
the land. The public was aroused ana
1 alert and determined. I'm addition to
being extraordinarily excited. They
demanded n thousand things, and one
thing and anything that would correct
existent abuses and make for better
conditions. They were not tempered
| to be patient or wait upon any pro-
| gram OF rationalism SO necessary in
the curing of defects without perma-
nently endangering the fabric of gov
eminent.
Consequently when President Taft
with patience. determination. courage
and extraordinary ability set about the
| work of crystalizing public demands
into laws. Observation-Disclosures and effec-
tive results, the public entirely misun-
derstood him. The conclusion that he
was everywhere lacking in capacity.
ideals and popular sympathy swept
the country. 1t Is n tribute to the in
nate justice and real intelligence of
the people to know now that the storm
of unreason was temporary. The pres
ident kept his courage and his polse
and his temper. His marvellous di-
rectory powers and constructiveness
began to erect monuments so high and
so excellent that the people could see
and in their honesty and fairness
would see. Even his work I'm connec-
ton with the Payne Aldrich tariff bill.
wherein he got all he could for the
people and obtained many concessions
OF permanent value. is beginning TO be
understood and appreciated. The ere
ation of tariff board for the scientific
study of that intricate problem and
the institution of a court of customs
fought for. He won out the corpora
ton tax law with it's primary usufruct
of nearly thirty million dollars a year
and the right to inspect the accounts
of all corporations. This made sur
plus where a deficit existed before: al
though the average tariff was lowered
nearly 10 per cent.
In practical economy he has done
many things. the most tangible OF
which has been the management of the
postal department, so as to have a
surplus and the saving and facilitation
I'm connection with the Panama canal
work, In the diplomatic world he has
been giant as witness what he has
done for international arbitration. Ca
madam reciprocity, Mexican safety and
South American and Central American
peace. His successful prosecution Of
the sugar trust, Standard OIL and the
tobacco trust are splendid deeds and
distinct epochal history. The discov-
cry. punishment and discontinuance OF
huge customs frauds would be enough
TO distinguish an ordinary administra-
ton. The reorganization OF the navy
and the establishment of postal banks
are the work of President Taft. In
fact. he has done so much of real ac-
complishment without ostentation or
blare that II Is bewildering when one
seeks to comprehend that all has been
IMAM two years. No wonder the people
are rapidly seeing and beginning to
love him, trust him, acclaim him and
appreciate him as one OF the greatest
of all of the presidents. All of this
accounts now for the popularity which
Is his due. It is the giving of credit
by sober people who could not see
clearly during a period of public in
loxication. He will be president again
md for the real good of the country
ne must be. Whether he is or not the
president will continue to work In the
interest OF true popular government,
protecting the people from rapacious
public enemies saving them from their
'wn frenzies. inoculating them with
Justice, mercy and honesty. to the last
minute of the last hour of his official
'areer. He Is real progressive, be-
'ause he does things. keeps going, and
stays on the track.