Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-29
Can Attack The Democrats Any
Time and Anywhere.
VIII Hi Insurgents on Attitude
Toward Tariff Board,
The Other Important Subjects to
Be Used In the West.

Beverly, Mass, Aug. $50 far as
President Taft himself is concerned,
the tariff will be the main issue OF
the 1912 campaign. While the Presi-
dent will speak on many subjects on
his Western trip it is certain now that
the question of tariff revision will re-
ceive most attention. Following his
speech to the Essex County Republic
can Club at Hamilton Saturday, the
President started today to prepare
for other speeches on the tariff. He
secured copies of his veto messages on
the wool. farmers free list and cotton
bills from the Executive offices here
and in Washington and at once set
to work upon addresses that he ex-
poets 10 deliver later in support of
these vetoes.
Mr.. Taft is said To realize that he
must take the aggressive in the tariff
fight and not merely defend himself
for having rejected these bills, but
attack the Democrats and Progressive
Republicans who put them through
Congress. The attack upon the Dem
ocrats, the President can make almost
anywhere. 1t is understood that the
fight upon the Progressives will be
confined largely to their own territory.
The President will carry the war West
into the "enemy's country" The ma
ture of the attack is pretty clearly
defined already. In substance it will be
that the Progressives who voted for a
Tariff Board should have been willing
to wait for it's report; that the reVis-
ion bills the Democrats and "Insur-
gents" drew at the special session
We're ill considered and badly
drawn, and that the great industries
of thc country should not be put in
jeopardy by such legislation when
revision If recommended by the Tariff
Board might be expected any way in
a few months later. 1t is also prob
able hat the President will promise
tariff reform so far as he can bring
it about at the next session of Con-
gress, reform of the wool and cotton
schedules at any rate provided the
Tariff Board reports that downward
revision of these schedules is justifia-
bic and necessary.
IT is quite possible that the Progress
sives will be under fire from the Pres
ident also on the subject of reciproc-
ity. The President has heard enough
that reciprocity is not popular in some
states west of the Mississippi. The
Progressives are supposed here to
count upon the bad effect reciprocity
will have with those Western farmers.
His attitude in regard to reciprocity
will probably be more nearly defen-
sive than that in regard to tariff re-
vision. for he has always contended
that reciprocity. tried for one year.
would prove advantageous to every
one and hurtful to none.
Of the other five main topics al
ready selected for the Western trip
conservation, and the peace and arbi-
traticn treaties in the Senate we're
opposed and befriended by senator's
of all persuasions and while conser-
walton is of popular interest in the
West. 1t IS not expected by the Presi-
dents friends to figure greatly in the
campaign. Currency reform Is admit
ted to he of greater interest, because
of the idea that the proposed legis-
1ation may foreshadow central bank
The President may find it necessary
to talk extensively on this subject.