The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-06

erly. demanded of the head of the re-
pubic, and believe firmly that MI.
Taft is guided by a deep interest in
human welfare. What else is it that
underlies his burning zeal on behalf
of the arbitration treaties-the fav-
or1te topic which never fails to kindle
his eloquence? His latest message to
congress transmits the report OF a.
commission on the subject of employ
ers liability Ind workmen's eompen-
satlon, Ind in 1t he discusses carefully
and intelligently and with zeal and
sympathy the best method OF putting
an end on our interstate railroads to
the disgraceful system which leaves
the burden of accident and injury
upon the shoulders of the men who
are least able to bear it. Only few
weeks before he urged upon congress
the establishment of an Industrial
whole subject of the relations of labor
and capital. This whole message is
pregnant with. appreciation of the in
adequacy of the existing social ma
chinery and with a desire to bring
about a betterment in the relations
of the workman to his employer. Dur
ing his administration there has been
actually placed upon the statute books
safety appliance law to protect the
workman, an employers liability law
to compensate him for injuries, and
an act creating a mining bureau, as
Mr.. Taft himself expressed 1t, "eh1eHy
mining"
On Investigated Facts.
Mr.. TaftS administration has thus
been essentially progressive. But II
has also fulfilled another necessary
condition to permanent progress. He
has not only been willing to advance,
but he has insisted that the steps to
be taken should be taken upon the
basis of carefully ascertained facts and
carefully studied conclusions. l doubt
ton when SO many vital questions OF
progress were under careful. sclentlnc
investigation and scrutiny by com
nissioners of competent experts. There
is nothing dramatic about such
method. But a reform accomplished
in the light of such carefully accredlt-
ed facts is more likely to be perTna-
nent, This is the very essence or MT.
Taft's method as a reformer. ~.
Thus, we have the spectacle OF
tariff commission producing report
on the wooden schedule so comprehen-
sive, SO thorough. so fair and nom
partisan, that even now, two months
after it's PRONUNCIATION. it is yet to be
seriously criticised by any single ele-
ment of the innumerable conflicting
interests that have argued ABOUT anu
fought over this controverted subject
for score of years. The Hadley
commission has investigated the VeX-
ed question of railroad capitalization
and has rendered a far-reach1ng ana
progressive report. Indeed, except TOT
the study by which it was buttreSsed
and the authority and weight of its
members, such a report might well
have produced bitter party criticism
instead of the respectful and almost
univ rsaI commentator which it has
received Again, the Hughes commits
sion, after patient study of the subject,
has brought in report upon the pos
tai rates for second class matter, in
Guiding the cost of the carriage of our
and newspapers. which has
at once opened the way to-
wards the amicable settlement or a
over which only two years
ago the most violent Feelings ana pas
sionS were aroused.
These are but suggestive examples.
They serve to indicate the spirit and
the method which the president has
sought to instil throughout his admin
istration. The conduct OF the govern
ment has been quiet but effective; the
conduct of his administration, intelH-
gent. watchful and dignffied. Wherever
mistakes have been made, they have
been promptly and thoroughly RENE
died. The bitter controversy which
two years ago ragged in the depart
ment of the interior has been COM
pletely ended. The questions then rails
ed have been solved, and solved in the
interests of the people. The conserva-
ton of our vast natural resources, I'M
der the administration of your fellow
interior. has been placed upon a plane
which has completely silenced all for |
mer critics.
These are the standards by which |
the character of the presidents admin |
stration should be judged-by which |
the character of any progressive al |
should be judged-namely |
by it's open-mindedness to the needs |
and demands of the present, by the |
patient care with which it investigates
he underlying facts, and by the cour- |
age with which it takes It's advanced |
position after such study.
Reforms and Remedies.
OF late there has been sweeping over
he country widespread discussion Of |
various political reforms and remedies
which are being tried in many of oul
states. Grievous abuses have existed |
n practically all of our states; abuses
which have greatly diminished the eff
siency of popular government and
which have tended to take the rea
he people and place it in the hands
If professional politicians Sincere and
energetic reformers are at work in our
different states in attacking these eVlls
and seeking to establish more effective /
Ind puFer systems of government, both
,or those states and for their munlei-
oalities. Very different and conflicting
theories are held by equally intelligent
and sincere men. The as states of our
Union, with their infinite variety of cii-
nate, geography and social conditions,
,ffer just so many opportunities fol
experiment in the methods of local Self
government. 1t is idle to expect syS-
EN- which may work well in one O.
hese communities to apply equally wei
o ALL. Equally .disinterested- reformels
nay reach widely varying conclusions
II different commemorative. Successful
reform in Oregon or Wis
,onsin may be very different from sue
Xynrlz