The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-02-29
DR., THOMPSON
WEIGHS TAFT
An Analysis Of the Administration
and the POlitiCaI Situation.
PRESIDENT OF 0. S. U. SPEAKS
Asks II We Want Relief From War,
Trusts. Political Tariffs and Con-
servation Difficulties - Which Of
Taft's Policies Shall We Reject?

servation Difficulties - Which Of
Taft's Policies Shall We Reject?
Columbus. O.. Feb. 22.-(SpeciaD-
DR.. William O. Thompson, President
of the Ohio State University, issues
the following statement of reasons
for wishing the denomination and re-
election of President Taft:
"The Democrats have declared that
the tariff VII he the paramount issue
in the coming campaign. The Re-
publican party should accept the is
sue; indeed the whole country should
accept it, For more than a genera
tion the tariff has been a political
football, kicked about at the pleasure
of special interests by the politi-
has been growing to the effect that
the tariff is a business question rath-
er than a political issue and should
be revised from time to time in the
interest of business, of American
labor and of all the people.
Through the influence Of Mr.. Taft
we now have for the first time
tariff board Of three Democrats and
three Republicans, charged with the
duty Of making a scientific study OF
the tariff schedules. That board has
submitted a unanimous report upon
the findings Of fact on certain sched.
ules. On this basis of fact Mr.. Taft
now asks a revision of these sched-
ules and later on other schedules
when the tariff board shall have sub
mitted- further reports. This is an
honest effort to put the tariff issues
on a business basis. The country
can not afford to ignore these find
ings. If the Democratic party ignores
this report and, as has been suggest
ed, cripples or abolishes the board,
it thereby declares that the tariff IS
10 be used for political purposes.
Mr.. Taft has prepared the way for
revision by a rational and business
like method. To deny him a nomina-
ton or defeat him in election on
that issue would be to declare in ia
vor of tariff for political purposes.
The Republican party can not afford
to take this position, nor do l be-
lieve the American people will ap-
prove it.
Offers Scientific Revision.
"Now that we have our first oppor-
tunity to revise the tariff on the
basis of facts carefully prepared. l
am in favor Of supporting the leader
Of the movement with a congress in
sympathy with his views Every tariff
law passed since the war has proved
unsatisfactory and later has been a
political issue. The Payne-Aldrich
law, the best that could be forced
from an unwilling congress, met this
fate, but carried with it the provision
for the work Of the tariff board. That
much at least was good, and the way
is now open for congress to act with
out disturbing business interests in
such a way as to protect American
labor and bring relief to the people
from the eXils Of an excessive tariff.
Mr.. Taft has made his position on
this question entirely clear. The Re-
publican party cannot successfully
appeal to the people if it rejects the
issue.
"Mr. Tafts policy should commend
him to the party as it does to the
Teople. His recent address in Co.
iumbus was a splendid exhibition of
clear thinking, Of intellectual integ-
rity and of moral courage. The trea-
ties with England and France now
before the United States senate have
stood the test of vigorous and search
ing debate They now have the ap-
lroval of the American people, if we
may judge by the press and the ut
terances of intelligent interpreters of
public sentiment The issues in.
volved in these treaties are funda-
mental and far-reaching upon the in,
dustrial the political and the moral
Welfare of the people.
A Tremendous Forward Stride.
"They offer the opportunity for a
tremendous stride toward the organi.
7ation of the wealth, the forces and
the men of America into constructive
agencies for the betterment of hu.
manity rather than into destructive
agencies that permit the selfish in.
s;tincts Of men to prey upon the peo-
pie Mr.. Taft can never be denied
the glory of the initiative of this
movement, that sooner or later will
be a successful achievement, but the
American people may lose their right,
full premiership by mere neglect. The
passing CT these treaties will make
Mr.. Taft the most commanding fig
ure in the history of the twentieth
century. The American people, in
my judgment, will hesitate upon ma
ture thought to reject a leader who
has brough to the nation an unpar
al,eled opportunity for a world ser
vice.
"Mr. Taft's service in relation tC
the trust problem should commend
him to the people without regard tC
party. For more than a decade we
have had whirlwind campaign OF
nratory on the trusts and theil
abuses. The people have been cry
ing for relief. President Taft, with
cut any buster, has steadily pursued
a policy of obedience to the law and
has pushed the prosecutions to sue
cessful issue. Already there are un-
nistal able signs that this has been
an offense to the special interests.
More CT these are now urging Mr..
Taft's denomination. Indeed, their
syrnpathies are quite readily located
His work, however, goes to the very
heart of American citizenship. The
righteous enforcement Of law by pub
lie officials and an honorable obe'
dience to tAe law and the decisions