New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-09
SUPPORTING OR PUsHING7

SUPPORTING OR PUsHING7
Governor Wilson must already be-
gin TO have a relieving If somewhat
Christening sense that he will not have
to bear unaided the burdens Of admin
istration. The election returns are not
yet all in, but even before the extent or
his victory is certain he finds earnest
supporters ready to take off his shout
ders all cares both as to appointments
and policies. The Cabinet makers
are as busy as beavers, and he needn't
concern himself with that subject at
all If he does not wish to, for before
the electoral votes are counted q full
set Of advisers will be ready for his
acceptance. That industry, however
need not be taken very seriously. III
is pleasant game for the period or
waiting and gives a chance for many
a village Hampden to speculate pleas
urably on the possibilities Of fate as
he sees spontaneous demands for his
services. The Governor may feel
little differently. though, about the dis
position of some Of his supporters to
settle offhand for him vital questions
Of party policy and tactics.
Already an organized movement has
begun among the Democrats to force
his hand in the matter Of an extra ses'
sion. without stopping to inquire
whether or not such session fits into
his plans, they already have clacque
crying ont that the party is pledged to
immediate downward revision Of the
tariff and that immediate" means the
neighborhood Of March 4. 1t Is even
urged by some that the party is COM
mitted to the passage Of the wool, cot
ton, chemical, steel and free list bills
which Congress passed at the last ses-
sion for electioneering purposes. This
is a plausible suggestion, but It implies
that the Democrats really believed IN
those bills or drew them for some
other purpose than that Of putting Mr.
Taft "in q hole" Governor Wilson
never committed himself to them and
NAV not care. as successor to Mr.. Taft,
to have them as hole In bis path.
The new President may want to
choose his own time for tariff revision,
TO organize his administration, make
his appointments, get control Of the
party machinery and work out care
full programme which will as nearly
as possible reconcile the party doctrine
of tariff for revenue only and his de-
nunciation of protection as per Sc in
furious to expanding American busi-
ness with his somewhat contradictory
declaration that he was following In
the liberal protectionist path Of Blaine
and Mckinley and only wanted to
carry out the idea Of the Republican
platform of 1908 for an adjustment OF
duties to cover the difference in the
cost of production at home and abroad
with q reasonable profit to the domes-
tic producer. He may feel that Con-
gressional ideas on the tariff are not
sufficiently clarified and harmonized to
produce q law which would be credit
able to the party or beneficial to the
country, and that he must take time to
enlighten his followers. But his views
and policy, whatever they may be, are
quite ignored by his ardent friends,
who have already begun to arrange
the call for a special session.
Governor Wilson has taken decided
ground as an exponent Of the theory
Of executive leadership. A Governor
or a President he considers the one di-
rect representative Of his constituency
and the ordained director not only OF
administration but Of lawmaking In
the government over which he pre-
sides. Having chosen him with full
notice Of his doctrine Of personal rule,
his followers ought to be little more
patient and not try to accelerate" pub
lie sentiment regardless Of his plans.
A good many colonies seem to be Civ.
ing orders for forward movements be-
fore the general has had time even to
survey the field of command. Some of
Governor Wilson's friends seem to be
pushing him rather than supporting
him.