Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-03-30

printed their own demands, argu-
ments and expose. Observers will
note in this country large number
Of publications of recent origin de-
voted to matters handled with gloves
by the regular press publications. The
demand for publicity has brought the
undertaking" magazine. 1t is the
sounding Of the tocsln. Instead Of the
bell, which was rung during the
French revolution, we sound the alarm
through the printing press.
The same as in those days, the har-
bingers Of the new era" are charged
with treason, anarchy and rapine. But
notwithstanding intelligence replaces
the pike and the guillotine. Taft has
told us that the people were not cap
able Of governing themselves. That
learned judges, skilled politicians
and astute federal officers" Cike him
self, | suppose) should run the gov
ernment. This high view Of Amer
lean political ethics" befuddled the
listeners, and was misunderstood, or
rather not understood. The storm
which broke over this inapt statement
has resulted In his newspaper friends
Fastening to explain what he meant
Just the same as they say OF our fell
low citizen Roosevelt. Explanations
are necessary, Of course. since he
cannot afford to go "unexplained," as
II means loss Of votes, and high "eth-
les (which are 80 important In
Roosevelt) can go hang. To tell the
people they couldn't govern them
selves required courage, but greater
courage to stand for that statement.
Taft Immediately backs down and be-
gins to explain
Past record OF Learned judges" has
Brought us the recall on their decis-
ions. "Skilled politicians have never
given us penny postage or parcel post.
We get free seeds and copies Of the
Congressional Record. Our postal
savings bank law only passed after
II was inspected and edited by the
great bankers. Its adaptability to the
uses and purposes for which II was
originally intended was so circum-
scrlbed by limitations that II was use
less and was subsequently amended.
The great Panama canal will be reg
ulated' until II will be a subsidiary
enterprise OF the transcontinental
railroads. That Is, II the demand for
unrestricted passage Is not sufficient
ly great to exact free toll for home
bottoms. Thanks to the revolutionary
times the Aldrlch currency bill Will
be plgeonholed until Taft Is reelected.
I Then they will trot out this beautiful
plan and make II a federal law. II
the colonel Is elected, II is question
able Just what would happen. The
great present administration prose
cutes,' investigates and proposes"
only upon demand OF people who
will jeopardlze political positions In
Washington unless some attention Is
paid to them.
Having In mind that great fact that
some other power may be- put into
office to succeed the republican party
the administration goes about suffer
ing from fractured "ethical natures.
III abhors departure from custom made
unwritten political rules Washing
ton refused the third term, and so on
SO did Roosevelt, until popular de-
mand Ia again putting him to the
front. II the people want Roosevelt
the "ethlcs" of third term campaigns
count for naught Roosevelt's pcpu-
larlty is soaring the powers that be
An Independent nomination may fol-
low the Chicago convention In case
he Is not nominated. Who can fore
tell? HENRY BUXTAR.