Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-12-13
MR., TAFT'S MESSAGE.

MN. ~ ] W6oOVSe'
In the second message he has sent
to congress since its convenins last
week, the president appears to have
made an earnest effort to .hresh new
grain out of old straw. This being
always d difficult task, he is to be
congratulated upon what degree OF
success has attended his efforts, says
the St. Louis Globe Democrat In a
recert editorial. And he may be CoI.
graduated particularly upon his waiv.
ure of the opportunity to give the
question. Really Mr.. Taft seems to
be po2ularizing himself, in the closing
days of his administration, in ways
showing that he is looking for chances
to please the people. He found one
when he fell upon the device of say
ing that, as the country has but late.
~ heard the tariff question thorough.
w discussed, and has put upon an OPP
position party the burden of doing
something differing from what Mr..
Taft and his party have done, he
feels that suggestion from him at the
present time might be presumptuous
--or words to that effect. Pointing
r,,t ~ rv a1nnfoI a
congress to make 4 revenue tariff he
adds, apparently with smile and a
wink: 1T is needless for me to Oc.
cupy the time of congress now with
recommendations or arguments for a
protective tariff ..-
This is excellent. The arguments
for a protective tariff may Wen 90 in
cold storage now, to come out again,
automatically, after the effects of rev.
enue tariff making begin to manifest
themselves. Meanwhile the presi-
dent talks about other things. most
of them old, and only to be discussed
in old ways. There is another review
and approval of the works and pro.
posals of the Monetary Commission in
the way of banking and currency re-
form; renewal Of his earlier sugges-
ton that congress approve the plan of
army reorganization prepared by the
war college in the early part of the
year, his former urging OF the build
ing Of two battle ships year and
repetition Of his arguments for in
creasing the pay of state militiamen
when in active line of duty.
These are all old friends. But the
president does something which will
arouse the country in taking issue
directly with the proposition OF early
independence of the Philippines. No
other man in the country can know
as we'll what the islands need as does
Mr.. Taft to whom, by virtue Of his
wise and just administration as our
first governor there, is due the plac.
ing Of the colony upon that Foundation
on which it has been possible to build
1T to present and constantly growing
proportions. The democrats are CON-
ing in with demand for an early
getting out. II the country really ap.
proved of this, the minority tote given
Mr.. Wilson does not indicate the fact
and there is every reason to believe
that the presidents arguments, back
ed by his experience and performance,
will outweigh, with the people, any.
thing which Mr.. Wilson may advance
on the line of the Baltimore platform.
equally responsive. we think, will
public opinion be to his protest
against tinkering with the Sherman
antitrust law. The law is justifying
itself and its works more and more
in the clearer light Of successive ju-
dicial decisions.
"A N4 y " 70