The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-12
TAFT,s GREAT CHANCE

provision contained IN its proposod
Constitution, he should have the sun
port of the Democratic members of
the Senate and House because this is
not a political question. but a CUES
ton affecting the foundations of the
Government. ANY plea based upon
such a ground as that should appeal to
the patriotic sense of every Democrat
IN Congress and out OF Congress 1t
was the sort of plea that found ready
and intelligent response in the reel
procity matter. and ii was to the
honor Of the Democrats in both House
and Senate. and especially in the
House, that, laying aside all parti-
San and sectional considerations. they
rallied to the support OF the President
in his effort to establish closer com
merc!al relations between the United
States and Canada. Without the un-
waverng and loyal support OF the
Democrats in this. the biggest and
most statesmaniike thing he has at
tempted since he became President, Mr..
Taft would have failed utterly in his
purpose and with it his Administra-
ton. He has acknowledged his in
debtedness TO the Democrats for his
success in this case, and that was to
his credit; but 1t is a poor rule that
does not work both ways. a the say
ing goes. We are willing to admit
that all the patriotism is on the Dem
ocratic side, but n jug handled pa
tion or judgment OF the country.
Two bills have been passed by Con-
gress at the present extraordinary ses-
sion revising certain schedules IN the
tariff law. These bills have been care.
fully Considered and have been drawn
with due regard such regard as could
honestly be shown, 10 American in
dustries. and will go to the President
for his approval. 1t is said that he
will veto both the wool and free list
- bills. and il he have made up his
mind to 90 so and is convinced that
It is his duty to take that course. we
know of nothing that can stop him:
for amiably disposed as some people
say ne is, others aver that he can be
as stubborn as a Government mule on
occasion.
One OF the stories is that the Presi-
dent will disapprove both these bills
on the ground that at the last session
OF Congress a tariff board was ere
ated for the purpose OF studying du-
ties and conditions so that the tariff
might be revised on scientific princi-
pies This board has not Vt made
its report. which may be, or may not
be-most probably will not be-ready
some time next December. The board
is composed OF alleged experts. but
further than'permiS5ion TO make rec
omnendatibns Il has no authority
whatsoever to change a single sched-
uie in the tariff law or to remedy my
admitted evil of the present law, even
the !ndefensblo wool schedule. as
thar part OF the present law has been
happily described by the President
Only Congress can make "A tariff law.
and the Democrats in that body. the
very same Democrats who In a spirit
of broad patriotism went to the relief
of MI Taft in the reciprocity matter
now go TO him with certain amend
ments OF the present tariff law
amendments that will be of the larg-
est value TO the people of the coun-
try, amendments that can be defended
on every economic ground and ask
him TO be as broad IN dealing with
them and with the country as they
were in dealing with him ana the
country.
Should the PRECEDENT approve these
bills neither Of which is political
question. unless re chooses to make
both Of them issues in the approach-
ing campaign, he viii prove again as
he proved in the appointment of the
Chief Justice OF the Supreme Court.
that he is a good deal bigger than hts
party, that a purely economic ques-
ton is not TO be confused with a
partisan issue. that having taken q
good deal from the Democrats in leg
islation, nc Is not indsposed to give
something back in the way OF Excel
tive cooperation. Re would cstab-
lish himself in the confidence Of a
great mass of Republicans Of the bet
ter sort. would carry CONSERVATION 10
the Insurgents because of their ny
pocrisy. and would once more com
mend himself 10 the good opinion OF
many thousands of those WHO do not
belong to his party SO far as the
Democratic Organization IS concerned