The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-04-07
WHAT TAFT HAS DONE.

William Howard Taft has been President of the
United States for two years During that time pub
lie opinion concerning him has changed completely.
When Mr.. Taft began his administration, people had
made up their minds to think well of him if they
could. Through misrepresentation they quickly found
that they could not. Contrasted with the slam bang
aggressveness of his predecessor Mr.. Tafts methods
weak and the Taft smile to be symbolical
of good natured weakness. But in the last two years
the quiet strength of the man underlying his smile
has proven itself in the remarkable results thus far
accomplished in his regime and to-day Mr.. Taft
stands high in the respect esteem and affection of the
American people, which constitutes to mind the
highest degree of popularity
Let what Taft has done
First, he negotiated the treaty with Japan, which
recently ratified and thus brought the conclu
sion of strong friendship, relationship generally
troubled and often tense.
Second, while proclaiming the good points of the
tariff he yet acknowledged the defects of the last
vision and under this latest tariff deficit of $685.
600 900 has been turned into $3O,OO0,OOO surplus.
Greater than the revenue however, is Taft tariff
policy which looks forward to future revsions and
which will ultimately take tariff out of politics alto
gether
Third, he has secured certain amendments to the
interstate act for the interests of the people
and Court of Commerce for the interests of the ship
pers and the railroads.
Fourth he is the father of the postal savings bank
system which will go long ways to keeping at home
the many millions which have hitherto gone abroad.
Fifth, he has brought about the reformation OF
the methods of collecting customs duties and the
millionaire smugglers no longer go scot-free.
Sixth, the publicity of receipts and expenditures
in political campaigns has been compelled by law.
Seventh, the laborer in all ranks has been pro-
tected witness the creation of Bureau of Mines,
the passing of boiler inspection law the enlargement
of the scope of the safetyappance act and the up
holding and furherance of the principle of the work
mems compensation and the liability of employers
Eight, the work the Panama canal has progressed
speedily and without scandal.
Ninth, an immense and powerful feeling of pub
lie confidence in public appointments has been knded
for and by Mr.. Taft.
These nine results herewith briefly enumerated
but few of the important There is still to
Canadian reciprocity, the parcels post and penny
postage and the solution of the problems arising from
the second-class mail matter-the magazine difficulty
now under consideration.
Any of these results should compel recogni-
tion and generous acknowledgment and the fact that
they have been brought about quietly unosentaously
efficiently does not detrac but rather adds to the
honor that is due the who has shoudered their
sponsibility
Let us hope that in the next two years Mr. Taft
will grow in the estimation of the American people,
who have at last come to see him he really is
honest, fearless determined and remarkably able
Executive.