Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-07-07

The position of Senator Root, since
assured of the defeat of his unnecessary
proposition to amend the measure pro-
viding for reciprocity with Canada, is
not at all enviable, because his entire
action in the matter can be very easily |
misunderstood however sound mis- inten-
ton might have been. And nobody but
Mr.. Root is much concerned as TO
whether he is misunderstood or just.
fable. The wood pulp interests con-
cerned in the proposed trade treaty can
hardly be interested now in the political
career of Mr.. Root since he favored the
measure in a speech and would vote for
its passage whether amended or not.
Nor will the host of enthusiastic sup
porters of the Administration measure
feel like justifying action that seemed
to invite defeat for the President in
mora important measure than the trade
treaty. The congressman who have re-
fused to vote for reciprocity because of
the Importantly of constituents have
something to fall back upon whether
the reciprocity treaty is winner or not.
So have they who advocated the pro-
posed agreement in wholehearted
fashion because convinced that the
terms gained by the President are the
best that could be secured at present !;
and because of the belief that Unequal
tiles, such as are apparent in the terms
OF the wood pulp and paper items are
not of sufficient importance to warrant
risking the whole opportunity to gain
better terms ultimately. Now Senator
Root knew as we'll as did the President
and Secretary Knox that the amend
ment to continue impositions of duties
on importations of wood pulp products,
whether they came from the provinces
still maintaining export duties, or from
the sections that do not put on export
charges would cause rejection by the
Canadians of the whole proposition and
likely as not end the opportunity to test
plan promising gains to both the peo
pie through saving in transportation ex.
penses. Senator Root had much reason
to think that an amendment offered by
one having attained the prestige that he
has gained would be resolved upon and
have its place in the trade proposition
Senator Root might easily have good
and sufficient reasons to take any one
sided action that seemed right to him
He would be as we'll within his rights
to oppose if he believed that the Presi
deut is mistaken as TO the necessity Of
treaty while such favorable terms a,
can be got now is before him. All mer
may hold fast to conviction and easily
justify their action if proven wrong
But how account for conduct that wa,
apparently for the treaty unamended
aud most decidedly opposed to it during
the critical stage of discussion. There
may be in the course taken by the cap
able senator from New York evidence
!. of high character and of kind o.
: craftsmanship above ordinary powers o
apprehension Indeed something t.
that effect has been stated about it by
a New York publication. However, tn,
people will still prefer the simpl,
straight forwardness of the PRESIDENT
policies even il weakness and hesitancy
in some respects had been apparent
And they, the people concerned in hi
craftsmanship certainly like the un
doubted generosity of his disposition
There is in the whole character of Presi
dent Taft equality and good nature tina
y stands the test of any trial in the publ
service, and his successful career is t.
= fill most interesting chapter or two o
American history yet to be written.
The greatest need of the times is fe
y fair and above board craftsmanship an
y hardly any need of old fashioned pol
:. tics and Mr.. Root certainly seems toha,
:. been actuated by politics of an undesi
;. able sort. He owes it to himself to g,
=" plain an action that overshadows h
fine record made in other importal
service to the people.
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