The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-10
TAFT DEFENDS HIS
ADM|NISTRA
Continued From Tirs; Page,

political power and 10 bring ahou;
proper, popular and governmental con.
troll and regulation of the use OF CANT
! TAI In legitimate avenues and for lcgi-
innate purposes
IN addition to this there is another
"ide held for progressive action that
the a1truistic tendencies of tho age
nave done much TO encourage and de-
velop. Government is framed for the
greatest good for the greatest number
ana also FOR tho greatest good of the
individual. and tho problem presented
is the balancing OF the two objects in
such n way that both may proceed.
eioe by side. The futility OF every
socialisttc scheme which DESTROYS the
risht OF property for the upltft Of
humanity is that 1t Is impossible to
find sufficiently strong motive for
labor or for saving. But while We
would not part with the right of prom
erty and while possibly in CERTAIN
directions We might be willing to
modify the character of Its use whero
IT has turned out to be an abuse. MS in
the case of the antitrust law. what We
are struggling for, what we all recor-
nize as the highest ideal In society.
is equality OF opportunity for every
member born into It.
Legislation can and ought TO bo
directed TO removing all The artificial
restraints that prevent this equality
/ or opportunity. Under present condi-
tons OF population and civilization
there are many functions that the
government can moro effectually and
moro economically perform than
private enterprise, and In this way
| the individual among the people may
derive greater benefit. The statutory
| provision for the Legislative discharc,
of those functions by the government
/ is progressive.
Tho progressive NOV ement has as.
sumed the character OF crusade anil
| many radical remedies were suggested
the carrying out OF which would be
only less destructive than the threat
ened fatal course of ..e disease. There
We're many who had long attacked our
| institutions as the basis of all In.
| justice and inequality and their voice
| became louder and moro distinct, and
| was listened 10 with greater favor
| than ever before in the history OF the
| country.
THE growth OF socialism In this
country is noteworthy incident n
showing tho extreme to which many
| would go In tho solution OF the
problem which | am discussing.
There wero many who were not So
+, cialists, but who saw in the present
structure OF our government, and espe-
cialiy In the checks and balances in
tended by the trainers of our ConstI-
tuition to secure del;beration and calm
action on tho part of the people. a
real obstruction to the reforms that
were deemed necessary in order to
maintain the proper control of capttal
and privilege by popular will and 10
| secure equality Of opportunity.
"ProGressives of this stripe attained
n great popular support and were able.
for time at least. to give the impres.
sion that others who were equally I'M
bued with the necessity for reform
by legislative act and governmental
action, but who thought il might come
without destroying the present struc-
tnrc of our government and without
: affecting the guarantees of life, liberty
and property, were reactionary and
unsympathetic with the cause of the
people.
Attacks Are Bitter.
1.-THE bitterness OF the attacks which
they made on men In responsible posi-
tions. the lack of restraint that they
| manifested in impeaching the motives
| OF men rs high-mindcd and as honest
as any of them, We're only symptoms
of psychological system that must
pass under the calming lapse OF time
as tn. public came to View the situa-
tion with knowledge of tho facts.
and with that common sense and spirit
J OF fslrncss that ultimately always pre-
vailed among tho American people
we all believe In popular govern