New-York tribune., 1912-01-28
so-CalIed Progressive Doctrines
Theme Of His Speech at the
Ohio Society Dinner
Here.
BUSY NIGHT FOR PRESIDENT
Also Guest Of West Virginians
and Daughters of Jacob
Again the Recall Is the
Object Of His Bitter
est Criticism.

His schedule vas somewhat disarranged
by delay Of twenty-five minutes In the
arrival Of his train and breakdown Of
the automobile which carried his party
from the Pennsylvania station 70 the
home Of his brother, Henry W. Taft. at
No. 80 West 4Sth street.
Asa result of the mishap the President
did not reach the dinner of the Ohio
Society at the Waldorf Astoria until
1.45 o'clock. three-quarters Of an hour
behind his schedule. and his other en-
gagements suffered corresponding de-
lays. After speaking before the Ohio
Society President Taft went TO the din
ner Of the West Virginia Society, which
vas also held at the Waldorf Astoria,
and later made a short call at the dinner
Of the Aero Club of America, at Sherry's
Here a committee Of the Daughters of
Jacob was in attendance TO escort the
President 10 the annual ball Of the Home
of the Daughters of Jacob at the armory
Of the list Regiment.
The dinner Of the Ohio Society was
made by the President the most impor-
tant affair he attended last night
through the length and significance Of
his speech. President Taft arrived after
all the guests had been seated. and as
he came Into the large ballroom. pre-
coded by fifes and drums Of the 9TH
Regiment and the flags Of the Untel
States and Ohio the seven hundred
members and guests NJ tho Ohio Society
arose and cheered him until he reached
his place Of honor at the speakers table.
The President was introduced by Will
lam $. Hawk, president Of the Ohio So
Cietv. who said that the country needed
conservatism and an era for the safe
growth of business.
I'VE are regaled with everything" he
said, from DR.. Wilson's soothing syrup
10 Colonel Harvey's cough drops. What
We need is less hot air, more boosting
and less kicking. a knocker is a good
thing on a door, but Il il nuisanc,
anywhere else
Talks OF Progressive "Nos.rum."
Addressing himself to an audience Of
sons of Ohio, the President spoke about
the political doctrine Of the su-cal He'd
progressive movement which he called
a political nostrum which nigh. possibly
appeal to the people Of his own state
ard after discussing the various iunova-
tiCns proposed. he again severely criti-
cised the advocates OF the recall Of
judges.
Mr.. Taft said in part:
With a population keen. active. alert. in
telligent. II Is not 10 be expected that any
movement can escape Ohio or be without
its supporters In that state. Hence green
backery. pOpuism, free silver at sixteen 10
one, all have held their sway and found a
considerable part of the people who were
willing 10 try the experiment Of each new
doctrine which was to take away from
man the necessity for wealth and labor and
make the deserving rich We have now
reached another period when another new
political nostrum, or series OF them is being
preached throughout the country, and has
found some lodgment in our dear old state.
We are told that there Is a period OF un-
rest throughout the country and I'm ohio
especially; that the movement is against
the things that are and i'm favor of new
ideas which are 10 metamorphose our entire
Institutions and bring about a condition
where only the just shall have luxury. and
only the undcScrNlnB DE poor.
|. Like all nOstrums Of this kind the re-
form is not 10 proceed from the people
themselves in the change CT the individual.
but is to be found In the machinery of
government under which tho individual
lives and has his being 1t is to impose
on the government responsibility for the
happiness OF the Individual that IL never
had before. We are enjoying to-day a
greater per capita holding Of property by
the individual than ever In tire history OF
the country: never before have the farmers.
been as prosperous, and rarely before have
the workngmen had higher wages. Never
before has the equality OF opportunity
manifested itself as II does to-day in Ohio
and all her sister states.
But In the course Of this progress which
has been made there are corrupt men who
have been able to accumulate ill-gotten
fortunes. corporations have at times en-
joyed unjust political power, political
bosses have hourshed and defeated the
will OF the people, and wealthy litigants
have enjoyed the advantage i'm courts Of
Justice because of the burdens incident to
the delays in the rendering Of judgment
II is true that I'm many Instances the pub
lie has been aroused and has thrown of
the reins Of the bosses, legislation has been
introduced TO regulate and supervise the
business Of corporations, especially those
unseat political despotism in free communi-
ties have been notably successful. Not
content with this progress, there are re-
formers who now propose remedies TO make
the establishment OF now constitutions
easily amendable providing for Constan:
appeals to the franchises and votes Of the
people for the recall by the vote OF the
people of judges and for the reversal OF
judicial decisions by plehiscites. II may be
questioned whether I'm the whole history of
proposed political reforms we have ever
had such radical suggestions as have pro-
ceeded from Senators and Congressman,
Governors and members of state legs
iatures within the last decade when at
tempt has been maze 10 formulate what
this new progressive system IS ard in
wolves n is radical. not so much because
n affects the executive and legislature and
makes them and their temporary opinions
respond quickly In their changes to nopu-
lar waves of passion. but II is chiefly so
because those who are It's advocates lay
their hands upon our court system and
seek TO rob Il OF those characteristics which
secure Justice and independence in it's ad-
ministration.
Remedies Violate Justice.
President Taft then said that there
was some excuse for efforts To make
legislative and executive action reflect
more nearly the will of the people than
they did under the machinery now ex-
isting, but a government by majorities
might be dependent for it's successful
oneration upon q much greater activity