The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-23
\ RESfARKABLE PRESIDENT.

| with the really wonderful accomplish
ments of the present national admins
tration.
Those who have an open mind, and
are anxious to do justice to the presi-
dent cannot fail to be Influenced by a
study of this sort.
In a speech at the Kansas Day club
in Topeka on January %. before six
hundred representative Republicans,
Charles F. Scott concisely and effec-
lively took a survey of this nature.
He pointed to the remarkable success
that has been achieved by President
Taft in seeing to it that the pledges in
the national platform adopted by the
last Republican national convention
have been fulfilled. Here is a sum-
mary of that part of the speech IF
Mr.. Scott, which is well worth re-
reading and remembering:
review of the achievements of the
administration of William H. Taft viii
show that il has come more nearly
writing into law every pledge contain
ed in the platform upon which it was
elected than any preceding administra-
ton in the nations history.
The platform promised tariff revision
at a special session of congress imme-
diately following the inaugura ton of
the president. That pledge was kept
The tariff was revised, as promised, in
the interest of all the people. That re-
vision did not close a single American
factory or reduce the wages of any
American workipgn1an, and in the first
year of it's operation it converted
deficit of forty millions into a surplus
of twenty millions. 1t contained Il
maximum and minimum provision IN
der which for the first time the United
States has been able to obtain en-
trance for its products into foreign
markets upon as favorable terms IS the
products of any other nation It pro-
vided a corporation tax which has
brought twenty-five inillions of dollars
a year into the tr,sasury, besides COM
polling a degree of corporation publicity
which has had d most wholesome eff
feet 1t provided a tariff board, which,
if permitted 10 eontinue will bring the
possibility of informed, impartial. sci
entific tariff revision. The Payne law
was a fulhllment in good faith of the
platform pledge and it has been a boon,
not a bane, to the country.
The platform called attention 20 the
need of a more elastic and adaptable
system and promised to work
out that problem. The monetary COM
mission has made its report in fulfill
lrant of that pie lge-
The platform promised to establish a
system of postal savings banks. That
promise was promptly fulfilled.
The platform promised an effective
of the sherman act. The
columns of the daily papers for the
past two years have borne ample tes-
,, ;<,f,
that promise has been kept.
The platform promised certain |
to the interstate com |
merce law. That promise was kept
by the enactment of the commerce
court statute; broadening the power of
he interstate commerce commission
10 such an extent that the government
has practically complete control over
our great transportation systems-a
control which has been exercised so
wisely. that while the rights of the
people have been carefully safeguard
I'd, the business of the railroads has
lot been unnecessarily disturbed.
The platform promised to promote
he welfare of the railroad employees
~ proper legislation for their safety
md by the enactment of an employees
liability law that should be within
he requirements of the constitution
Is pointed out by the supreme court.
The pledge was promptly fulfilled and
1 law is now imbedded in the statutes
loing away with the old rule of con-
negligence. A step beyond
he platform promise has been taken
through the enactment of benefcent
avs touching the use of safety ap-
oliances on railroads which look to
he protection of their employees from
every avoidable accident.
The platform promised a child labor
aw for the District of Columbia that
should serve as a model for the states
such a law has been passed.
The platform promised the estah-
ishment of a mining bureau. That
las been done and the life of every
nine in the United States is less ex-
posed to danger because of the great
work this bureau is doing.
The platform promised to maintain |
he efficiency of the army and navy.
That has been done
The platform promised to follow up
he conservation policy upon which the
administration had entered.
That has been done by the passage of
avs which will make impossible the
exploitation or mobilization of the
mineral wealth of the public domain.
The platform promised that the best
IF efforts would be made to extend
he foreign commerce of the United
states For the first time our exports
asst year passed the billion dollar
mark.
The platform promised statehood to
New Mexico and Arizona Their stars
ire ON the flag.
In a word, with few exceptions OF
minor Importance every pledge given
o the people of the United States by
h Ran1,hlicar marty in its rIatfnrra |