New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-18
OUT OF HIS EXPERIENCE.

President Taft is In danger OF be-
coming before long the most popular
man in the United States. So swift
are the changes of public opinion or so
superficial is the bitterness Of what
seems like deadly controversy that the
man who a few days ago was violently
abused on ell sides and most emphau-
cally defeated for reelection finds him
self the recipient OF tokens of almost
universal good will and profound re-
spect. The moment the selfish inter-
ests and personal spite intent ON be-
lifting and misrepresening him nave
run their appointed electoneering
course and the political oyerturn
sought by the party Of legitimate oppo-
sition has been accomplished, the cloud
OF detraction clears away and Mr.. Tart
is recognized again as the wise, high
minded, self-poised, patriotic states,
man which everybody In his heart all
along knew him to be.
This recognition has been fastened
nv the admirable temper. courtesy and
good humor with which the President
has borne himself through trying ex-
perience and by such thoughtfui, sug-
eestiye and disinterested comments on
public affairs as those which he maze
at the Lotos Club on Saturday night.
With ready wit, with profound phiios'
onhv and entirely without bitterness
Mr. Taft discussed the relations OF the
Presidency TO Congress and to Inc peo-
nle and drew from his own experience
with an engaging frankness lessons
which should have the attention OF the
country.
IFS most important practical recon-
-.andation Is a single term Of six years
T,r the President. The Tribune has
.r~cady urged this reform. for much
same reasons as those which have
.ru Impressed upon Mr.. Taft by his
n-qcr with Presidential problems.
Ne Democratic ~latform declares for
,fn~Ie term. and ii may fairly be e2-
ectna with the Democrats In tull
over that serious work viii he I'M
1art4taD Notwithstanding Governor
Wilson's apparent reluctance to limit
his ambition. for constitutional
amendment carrying ont this pledge.
Unfortunately, the Democrats did NOT
consider lengthening the present four
rear term. II. however. they give at
teption 10 President Taft's argument
that four years do not allow an Ex-
ecutive sufficient time 10 work out
large policy they may well conclude
that the single siS-year term Is the
wise mean between the present term,
which is so brief that the incumbent
needs a reelection to round out his
work. and the struggle for two terms
which involves distraction from states
manship for politics.
Mr.. Tafts suggestions for the better
cooperation Of the legislative and ex-
ecutive departments are also In the d.
rection Of more efficient government
A ministerial system has the advan-
tage over ours that those responsible
for its conduct can carry out con-
sistent policy to its conclusion. So
long as LQey nave lHc icHp'iASioi'I!
they have corresponding power, and
when they cease to have the power
they are not forced to continue In a
state Of deadlock. Here we are dead
locked a good part Of the time. An
administration proposes policy which
the country approves: but as enacted It
Is generally mutilated and incomplete,
even II 1t is not purposely spoiled oy
the opposition in control Of one house
or the other. We cannot entirely avoid
that difficulty. but we could lessen 1t
nv giving the administration the
chance in deba TO explain and de-
fend It's proposals. Congress and the
Executive ought to be brought into bet
ter working relations, and the oft-pro-
posed seating Of the Cabinet officers In
congress. to which Mr.. Taft adds his
spproval. might accomplish much in
that direction.