The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-08-28
ABOUT TAFT.

President Taft made one huge mis-
Understanding to the opinion Of a
majority of North Dakotans-in his
advocacy of reciprocity with Canada.
Many insisted hat reciprocity with
Canada meant cheaper grain-and con-
s~equently spelled ruin for North Dako-
Ia farmers. Others contended that
while reciprocity might mean tenn
porary disturbances in the North Da-
kota farming conditions-it would
eventually be beneicial-in that 1t
would bring about a revolution in the
methods. Still others-while strongly
opposing the application Of the reci-
procity treaty to the spring wheat sec
tons of the northwest-admitted that
from a national viewpoint the reciproc-
ity measure was correct.
The Forum opposed the reciprocity
treaty because it felt 1t might at least
temporarily affect the people Of this
state-and the paper was more inter-
ested in Fargo and North Dakota than
in Mr.. Taft-or m other president.
But it doesn't see any reason to con-
denim Mr.. Taft for all time-just for
one mistake. All people-except, per-
haps the rough rider, are fallible.
Taft's reciprocity plan was his great
objectionable SHIN the eyes Of many
people. There are hundreds of life
long republicans in this state who will
never vote for him because Of his rec
iprocity views
But aside from, and despite, his Teci-
procity views, Taft has made a good
president. Yesterday The Forum
called attention to a summary Of the
legislation during his administration.
1t is certainly sufficiently progressive
to SATISFY the most radical progressive.
The following from The st. Louis
Times is rather apropos at this time:
The opposition to President Taft, its
character as we'll as the methods am
.ployed in fighting him, is perhaps the
best tribute TO his record and the high
est claim for his reelection to a Sec
,ond term. There is, of curse, no pos
titive obligation upon h public to re-
tain a chief executive after expiration
of his first term, but there have been
but few instances of failure to do so,
and duty faithfully and efficiently per-
formed is regarded as emitting him to
T e-election.
President Taft has been confronted
by conditions wholly unusual. He
went INTO office sponsored by his pred
secessor, whose close adviser he was
throughout most Of his tenure of Of
shce. He was proclaimed as n who
would carry out my policies" and the
favored candidate and the public &C
-cepted that as adequate, but on the ha-
sis Of publicly avowed policies. Meth
,er knew hat the then president was
openly hurting anathemas at the
s'malefactors Of great wealth." and Sc
scretly conniving with them to confer
"a more powerful ~strangle hold upon the
financial and industrial necks of the
nation and secure them immunity from
interruption and penalty for their evil
doing. The revelation of this double
dealing came after his retirement from
office.
When Mr.. Taft became president he
lset out to give the country e~ven-hand-
ed administration under the constitu-
ttion and statutes. He proceeded along
Eouiet and conservative lines. Comb
nations operating in violation of the
antitrust law were admonished, in le-
gal manner, that they must get within
its provisions. Many suits were insti.
stuted and carried to completion, the
highest tribunal ordering dissolution Of
the trusts, tests coming with the larg.
est and boldest of them, Standard OF
and Tobacco. Others, convinced thai
the end had been reached, voluntarily
sdissolved. Still others are being deal
with, for the process of %uprooting sys.
tens which the preceding administra.
tfon had fostered and encouraged IL
difficult and tedious. It cannot bt
rushed by a chief executive who has
regard for law and order ind such
rights as properly attach to all inter,
sests involved.
1t was from this open and high
minded ourse that sprang the antag.
onism which is making of the present
political contest the most unseemly
and unwarranted the country has ever
known. 1t is the base of the desperate
struggle being made by the special in
terests to throttle the masses, a strug-
gle in which dark lantern methods are
employed to blur the vision Of the un.
thinking, TO confuse those who attempt
to bring reason to bear upon the situa.
ton.