New-York tribune., 1912-03-07
SETH LOW FOR TAFT
Gives Reasons Why He Cannot
Support Roosevelt.
fFrom ne Tr!bune BuFeau.

Washington. March Seth Low, eH-
Mayor Of New York. said to-day
am more sorry than ! can say 70 be
Obliged 10 choose between President TAFT
and Mr.. Roosevelt for the Republican nom,
ination. because ! have the highest regard
for both men Under all the circumstences,
however I think that President Tatt tulIy
deserves Z denomination Al the hands OF
the party. ] am among those VINO want
to see the Republican party a progTes-
sive party. and ! am very much IN Syin-
ps thy with Mr.. Roosevelt's way OF look
irg al things Especially / agree WIN
him in thinking that the short ballot ls
among the most important OF reforms.
I recognize. however tnat II IS nusn ,
easier 20 be progressive out OF office. win
out responsibility. than 70 be progresslV Ve
in Office with responsibility. judged q
any fair test OF dccompNsnment, lhluh
the administration OF PreSident Iait tulIy
deserves 70 be called progressive IS was
pointed out By Secretary Stmson last
M ght In Chicago II. however, the test
OF progressiveness IS 10 be the Willingness
10 accept the initiative the referendum
and the recall end the submission OF the
decisions OF the courts on constitutional
drestions 10 popular vote. l am unable 10
meet the test. a..
getting the crudest kind Of legislation.
There IS no opportunity 70 discuss the
form Of such legislation, Sltuaton WAl-l
makes il as easy es possible 70 pQt
understood only by those who insert them
for q particular purpose As 70 the refer
endum. ] am Indifferent In New foIk
state we resort 10 II every. now ana men
not only on constitutional amendments
but uroN purely legislative questions sucn
a. bond issues for the Improvement OF
highways.
oA1cers with short terms, u seems % me
2 oevice 10 make the average official more
timid than he Is already. + Is possible
that in connection with lonS term OF
Office some provisions for recall mlgnt De
devised that will not work badly when
il comes 10 the recall Of Judges, however
I think that the system W!ll Work osoiy.
I doubt whether Justice IS better nad oy
the Door and insignificant in the states
where the judges are elected than ~ the
states were the judges are appointed for
life 7 fear therefore. that the tendency
OF the recall Of Judges would Re 20 substl-
IlIte for the administration Of Justice the
administration OF tho popular whim or me
moment.
does that the decision Of the Court or Ap-
peals Of the State of New York on the
workmen's compensation act passed tHo
wears ago was most reactionary decision.
On the other hand / think the constitu,
ton OF the state Is likely TO be amended
within two years 10 make possible such
law as Colonel Roosevelt and desire, and
/ am quite confident that any such Law
passed under the new constitution will be
q much better and more comprehensive
law than the one that was set aside
These in brief. are the reasons why
cannot follow the standard or Colonel
Roosevelt for the nomination snd why L
am glad 10 give whatever influence l have
for the denomination Of President TAFT.
His administration, besides being reason
ably progressive, seems 10 me 10 nave
been exceedingly efficient on the admins
trative side and TO have been animated by
the purest possible patriotism on the part
Of the President himself.