New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-02-25
From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, February n

MR.. TAFTs OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
short Of the most persistent misrepresenta-
ton could have induced President Taft 10
issue the statement given out at the White
House to-day calling attention 10 the false
hoods which are being circulated regarding
his Lincoln Day speech. And no one VINO
does not make a practice Of reading con-
siderable number of newspapers can realize
how far this Misrepresentation has beeh
carried OF course those who read trust
worthy newspapers have seen nothing OF
this, because the trustworthy newspapers
have not stopped to such methods, but
there is a large class OF publications care
fully designed to appeal to the emotion
alists and neurotics," which have grown
so desperate because Of the growing fu-
tility of their opposition to Mr.. Tafts noml-
nation that they are prepared TO resort 10
any method which will compass their pur-
pose and TO this end they have harped on
statement that President Taft asserted that
some people were not At for self-govern-
ment, and have suggested that he meant
that the people should be deprived OF that
right by an unassailable judiciary wholly
removed from the reach of the people
Those familiar with the mental processes or
the President will realize that it Is more
than likely that when, In his Lincoln Day
speech. he referred to some peoples who
were not fit for self-government, he had In
mind the Filipinos, who are always upper
most ir his thoughts, and whose welfare
and sensibilites are always an occasion OF
concern TO him. Ever solicitous for the
welfare Of the Philippine people. Mr.. Tart
has never hesltated to assert his view that
they are not yet 1T for self-goVernmeht
end for the precise reason which he stated
in his New York speech namely, that they
have not achieved that appreciation of the
benefits of self-government which would
enable 'the majority of that people to place
upon itself the restraint by which the
minority shall receive justice" There is
nothing more Irritating 10 the President
than vociferous assertions Of the right OF
the people TO control their own affairs, TO
govern the judiciary and themselves etc.
and melodramatic protestatons against
"the denial to the people Of the right to
PASS such legislation as they may deem
fit" OF course, no one denies these things
nor has any one attempted TO deprive the
people of their rights. The sole point at
issue between those who favor such radical
measures as the recall OF the judiciary. the
revision of Supreme Court decisions by
popular vote. etc. and those who oppose
these vagaries is one of method.
President Taft and those who think with
him believe the Constitution can best be
amended by orderly and deliberate proc
esses, not with a single issue in view, but
with all phases of the question under con-
sideration, and that judges should not be
recalled" or compelled ITO defend them
selves against a petition for recall sprung
by some demagogue or some one who mas
been hurt, but by some orderly process OF
impeachment, and the President has even
suggested that the latter method may be
simplified with benefit TO the community.
II Is obvious, however that by the latter
methods the people are just as much in
control Of their own affairs as by the for
mer. possibly more so.
RECALL AND THE TRUsTS.-A high
official Of the government called my atten-
ton to-day 10 the probable fate of those
Judges who have pronounced the Standard
Oil Company and the tobacco company
trusts within the meaning of the Sherman
law. were the recall I'm practice. The pow
erful opposition which members Of the
steel trust are exerting TO the denomination
of President Taft because he instituted suit
against that trust affords another example
of what might be expected under like cir
cumstances 1t is a well known fact that
powerful interests in Wall Street have
raised large sums OF money to procure
delegates opposed to Mr.. Taft. But, II is