Omaha daily bee., 1911-07-08

Overwhelming majorities, the refusal OF
the Iowa republicans 20 even mention Taft's
name IN the piatform-ai this showed that
the revolution was within the party as
we'll as without. When later in the sum
mer the Baliingsr investigating committee
split and the report was delayed, the un-
rest IN the party became more evident.
There was no possible way to heal this
break before the election. The president
had gone too far with the regulars. With
out intending to do 30, perhaps, he had
practically made them the custodians OF
his policies and the agents TO carry them
out. Their policies were apparently his
policies, and II was violent wrench to
shift away from them. but he began to
do so very steadily just before election.
A change had come His famous letter
declaring that the insurgents should be
recognized in the distribution OF patronage
was an illustration Of this shift Of scene
Following Immediately after that came the
election, and while the president was slow
to show any sudden change OF front.
scarcely one Of his public acts since that
election has been In the direction of the
conservative element. He has allowed
Ballinger to resign. although he gave him
very curiously now in the light OF his
successors rejection Of the Cunningham
claim. He has allowed Dickinson to resign
also and thus removed another embarrass-
ment to his administration. The places Of
these two seeretarys have been filled by
men very close to Mr.. Roosevelt, and the
uitra-liberal wing Of the party. These APP
pointments are very clear evidence OF the
new policy. Moreover, the tenure Of Secre-
tary Knox is not regarded as secure.
But the presidents most powerful mani
festation of his change OF plan is really
seen in the negotiating OF the reciprocity
agreement. Because the insurgents have
done the most complaining about this meas
ure It does not follow that they are the
parties that are most hurt. The president
indeed has become almost as radical as
they on the tariff. and even has gone
step further than they had thought pos
sible but It must not be forgotten that
the cardinal idea behind reciprocity IL OPP
position to and q powerful blow struck at
the old citadel Of the regulars. They are
the ones who are the most severely hit and
hurt. Here is where the president. we re-
peat. showed his newly acquired under
standing not only OF the rights OF the stu
alton. but of its political necessity.
And nearly all OF his actions since in the
reciprocity bill he first showed his liberal
tendencies, have been along one line. He
has apparently thrown away his old thoo-
ries. has discontinued the harmony platform
with which he started out and has squarely
planted mis- feet upon the platform Of real
progressiveness, and he is making a win
ming contest OF It. The conservationists no
longer can regard him as their enemy.
Only the ultra-insurgents can declare that
he 10 fighting against their principles. AS
for the old-line, standpat. reactionaries, he
need have no fear Of them. Whether he has
learned this recently or not, the fact re-
mains that he has learned 1t. He is now
experiencing all the satisfaction that comes
from being q popular president. for he has
become a president who leads, and leads
in the right direction. HIS recent course has
made II impoitic for the insurgents to
put forward one of their number for the
presidential nomination. They might as
we'll Join with him and strengthen his hand.
Whether his change has come too late to
save him and the party for 1912, no one
can tell, but II the popularity of his ad-
ministration grows as much in the next
year as it has In the last few months. the
outcome will be splendid vindication of
the president in his turning to the light