The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-08-23
PRESIDENT TAFT Is VICTOR.

Out of the turmoil and turbulence of an extra session of congress
which has been rarely surpassed in vicious parisanship, the figure of
Vim. n. Taft rises supreme and commanding.
President Taft rears from the extra session a higher measure of
credit than from any previous session of congress during his admins
trahon. II has been for him a distinct personal triumph. The Canadian
Reciprocity Treaty, which congress wa especially called to consider
was enacted without the change of a single letter. Democrats of the
house of representatives grudgingly conceded support in a line of policy
which they could not afford to oppose. standpauers and Democratic
tariff revisionists struck hands in the senate in advocacy of this same
measure. lnsurgent Republicans. who have figured as the presidents
bhterest foes, were dscredited by their own acts. The Canadian Reel
procity Treaty was a splendid piece of craftsmanship, and therefore a
splendid piece of politics. The wisdom and energy and vigor of VIM. H.
Taft are responsible for the fact that it has been enacted into law. and
now only awaits the approval of the Canadian electorate to make il
effective.
In his three vetoes of partisan tariff legislation, President Taft rose
10 us uh heghth as a splendid exemplar of Repubicanism and a bold
su me champion OF the policy of protection. Not one of the
trainers of the Democratic tariff measures expected those measures to
be enacted into law. They were prepared simply a vote catching par
uSan schemes Their hope was to force the president into an untenable
position. Instead of accomplishing their purpose they furnished the
president a splendid opportunity TO prove his own courage and to ap-
peal 10 he people Tor honest, thoughtful and intelligent legislation
No partisan measures were ever more thoroughly dissectcd or more
entirely disoredhed by the presidential veto than have been the So
called free list hill and the wool schedule bill. On the record made
on those measures. Mr.. Taft can well afford to go before the American
people. He need nor fear the result.
In the matter of statehood for New Mexico and Arizona. his
courage and devotion to principle eliminated from the Arizona con-
stitution a feature which all thoughtful men considered objectionable
Arizona comes into the Union with a constitution based upon Repub-
hcan principles and free from radical experiments. If in her mature
years after She has assumed and carried the burdens and responsible
ties of statehood. she sees fit to take VI the feature. which Mr.. Taft
considered Objectionable she may do so, but on her and her alone will
d the responsibility. 50 tar as the authority and influence of the presi
dent of the United States are concerned, they have been in this case
effectively exercised on the side of conservatism and prudence. That
exercise must prove in the long run a power for good.
In the presentation 20 congress of Two great arbitration treaties
negotiated with Great Britain and France. the president again dis
played the wisdom of a leader and the power of a great statesman
Those treaties have not vet been enacted into law. hut it is inconceiv.
able that the small jealousics of a few men will stand in the way Of
their acceptance.
Mr.. TAFT has learned to APPEAL 10 the American people. He has
learned that with the American people back of him he can win over
the most formidable opposition IN either house of congress. During the
next few months We may expect from him an appeal TO the electorate
that will bring the arbitration treaties home 20 every thoughtful voter,
mi when congress again asscnhles. the attitude Of senators. who have
sought to rick small flaws in these great treaties. may he changed
No president within a short space of time ever did more TO com
mand public confidence and 20 win public approval than VIM. H. Taft
has done during the past six months. As a statesman and a leader
he has come into his own.