The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-05
TAFT'S ADMISSION IS VERY PATHETIC IN ITS SINCERITY Country Will Witness Some Important Elections
 on Tuesday UNIQUE SITUATION
 IN MASSACHUSETTS Contest Is Purely on the Tariff and Both Parties Have Been
 Making Vigorous
 Campaign
ny WAITER HARPER

Washington. November 4.-(SpeciaD.- President Tafts admission of the weak ness of his party is So honest and char acteristic of the man that 1t IS pathetic. At the close of great national tour during which he looked into the faces or thousands of his constituents he was con- strained to give voice to the uppermost feeling in his heart. MT. Taft is ah honest man. No one has ever questioned his honesty. Education, association ana environment have narrowed his life. He is unable to get close to the people. He is not in tune with the masses. His edu- cation and his training, his life environ- ment have been above their heads. But he is thoroughly honest. His heart is big and generous.
 The combination is unfortunate for the pclicitian MT. Taft admits that ne IS not a Irtitician. He cannot turn in the face impending defeat and wave the red flag of defiance, contesting every Inch with the pugnacity of Roosevelt who would never admit a weakness of position. MT. Taft on his western trip recognized the temper of the people. He saw the un- mstakable signs of unrest and dissatis- faction and in the honesty of his heart could not but give expression to his fears. This system of cold feet may draw some men to him through sympathy but It cannot be accepted with much patience by the tried warriors of his party. The party wants and will need man who is not afraid a man who will fight with at least a show of confidence to tho last ditch with blood bespattered gar rents and broken spear.
 But another leader cannot save the sit uation. To substitute another leader at the 11th hour would be fatal admission of weakness. MT. Taft is due second nomination by all the rules and rights of party decorum and there is but little question that the second nomination will be given him. It will not be given with enthusiasm and his support will be luke warm though all the power of the parry machinery will be put behind him.
 But that he will need much coaching, bolstering and artificial stimulants is generally admitted to keep him in fight ing condition to the end of the racc.
 Tt becomes more and more apparent every day that Oscar Underw pod was correct when he made the statement the day he left Washington for home in Sir mingham that If a good, safe man is nominated by the democrats the fight is already Won.'
 It is hardly necessary to review the con- ditions that bring about the difficulties that confront the republican party.
 MT. Taft and his republican congress were elected on a direct promise that the tariff would be revised downward. They answered this demand of the people in revision upward.
 The people promptly responded to this official treachery in the elections of 19lO by electing democratic house. The peo- pie went as far as they could in the elec- tons that were held in the off year.
 The democratic house supported " democrat and repentant republicans Tn the Senate revised the cotton and woolen schedules of the tariff downward as the people had twice demanded. These TWO bills went to the President and received his prompt and stubborn veto.
 Immediately after attaching his veto to these measures he started on his western trip. He travelled more than 13,000 miles and saw several million people. They resented his position. not discourteouSly, not openly, but the resentment was there and hes could not mistake the feeling. At the close of the trip he expresses fear that the party is doomed.
 He went out to sec, He saw. He ad- mits the evidence of his eyes.
 At the last moment of the trip he plan ned a short trip to the south. It is said that he planned this trip to ''thaw out" He will receive a cordial reception in the south. The republicans of the south arc for him. The democrats of the south on the occasion of a visit from the Presi- dent forget their party prej judices and give the chief executive the honor that is due him as the chief executive of the nation
 He will meet no discord in the south. He will be treated royalty and 1t will make him feel bitter though he is fully aware that courtesy and hospitality does net necessarily mean political support
 The republicans are making a desper- ate fight in Maryland. / The election for governor and other state officers is 10 be held Tuesday, Maryland is a pivotal state. Its contests between the two par ties are perhaps the closest of any state in the union unless it is Indiana.
 The republicans hope to carry Maryland fin the coming election for the influence it will have on the 1912 contest. The democrats are just as determined.
 It is understood in Washington that the chances greatly favor the democratic ticket F. L. Goldsborough is the repub- lican candidate for governor while Arthur Pue German Is the leader of the demo- crats.
 There are local and personal conditions that will affect the campaign. It has been proved that corruption was praticed in both the democratic 'and republican primaries. The republicans charge that there was more corruption in the demo- cratic primaries than in the republican, but it is admitted that fraud was prac- ticed in both and the voter can take his choice.
 News from Kentucky seems to indicate the sure success of the democratic tick ct in that state in Tuesdays election
 The contest in> Massachusetts is more uncertain with the chances possibly fa- voring the republicans, though a land slide to the democrats would not be surprise. Here President Taft's tariff policy is on direct trial. Governor Eu- gene N. Foss, who was elected in the democratic landslide at the last election. is again in the race. He Is being opposed by Lieutenant Governor Louis A. Froth- ippIfam, republican. Reports from Mass achusetts are to the effect that the con. test is furious. The tariff is the one is- sue and the lines are closely drawn. Dem- ocratic papers admit that 1t Is impossible