The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-10-19
TAFT'S CHANCE
FOR NOMINATION
HINGES UPON TARIFF ACTION OF
THE COMING SESSION OF
CONGRESS
RECIPROCITY nay HURT Mn SOME
But Presidents Chances Are Expected
to Rise or Fall with the Next
Session of Congress

Our Washington correspondent un-
der date of October 16 says:
When Pythogeras invented his great
problem it afforded a task for solu-
ton comparatively easy when put
alongside some of the things that en-
ter into the tasks OF the Washington
newspaper correspondent. There has
been a persistent demand upon the
correspondent Of the Register to ana
Iyze present-day political conditions
from the viewpoint Of the national
capitol, and since one OF our good
friends has reduced the proposition to
the following form, the Register man
feels compelled to bend to the task.
The question asked is:
What is the sentiment in Wash
ington in regard to reciprocity, and
its effect upon the next Taft Cam
paign"
olu-lliIclo VIII lCll you lhdI III
is no such thing as sentiment in
Washington. The national capitol is
the wax disk that acts as the re-
corder, and by means Of proper me-
chanism it gives forth exact sounds.
1t is the country that has the senti-
ment-the monograph through which
it is given voice at the seat Of gov.
eminent. President Taft may draw
tens Of thousands of people together
in San Francisco, yet many a time his
automobile has passed through New
York Avenue in Washington, and
would hardly be observed but for the
guards who always follow on their
motor cycles. Nevertheless the situa
ton is never overlooked here, and by
devious means perfected through
long years, there can always be Sc
cured a more accurate knowledge OF
the sentiment and conditions of the
country from here, than any other
point.
President Taft and his party dis
agreed upon the issue OF reciprocity
with Canada, and when it passed Con
gress the Democrats claimed a full
share OF credit for the measure. The
American farmer had kicked up a
big fuss, and when President Taft
had gotten as far west as Michigan
ON his trip, and evidently was bent
on carrying the issue Of reciprocity
before the people in all his speeches
then when the Canadian voters had
cried out Enthusiastically may, nay
we'll, there is no questioning the fact
that the regular organization listening
to the voice of the country through
the Washington wax cylinder, heard
sweet and joyful sounds when our
Canadian neighbor emphatically broke
off all negotiations with us, and there
by removed the issue OF reciprocity
Washington learns that the Presidents
tour of the country is not producing
startling results. Everywhere Mr.
Taft goes he is being well received
and his speeches are given close at
~tention. His talks concerning world
wide peace are striking a responsive
chord. particularly in view of the daily
news OF a horrible war in Europe
There is no denying the existence o.
a condition of rampant insurgency II
a great many Of the states, and among
the people there is positive unrest
which the Democrats and progressive
Republicans are asserting is due tt
the tariff. Wall street is bitter, ant
it is not unlikely that the money
power will "go Democratic" The
country never has had much 8 fol
the Payne-Aldrich tariff, and the Presi
dents defense of it has undoubtedly
worked more to his disadvantage thar
Canadian reciprocity or any othel
issue.
The future OF Mr.. Taft undoubtedly
lays in the outcome OF the struggle.
to begin in December ver the tariff
The people are patient, and It is SAFE
to say that the die is yet to be cast
Thoughtful men everywhere are In
clined to believe that most tariff leg
islation has been contaminated mor'
or less after the manner Of horse
trading. a good deal Of it being alonl
the line Of David Harum's style. Presi
dent Taft is promising the countr.
scientific revision, by means Of tn
work Of the Tariff Board. Many PEG
pie are confident that he Is going y
be able to make good-he Is teilini