St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1913-12-31

gerous class legislation by exempt
ing farmers and labor organizations
from prosecution for violation of the
Sherman antitrust law. He has sac
riliced experience and merit in the
diplomatic service to political fav-
oritism TO such an extent that Ameri-
can diplomacy was never more in
efficient and so little respected by the
world as it is today. He avoided
responsibility in China, has left I'M
settled the canal toll dispute and
done nothing TO restore profitable
trade with Russia and secure proper
recognition of American citizens in
that country.
This we believe is a fair statement
of the accomplishments and failures
Of the Wilson administration to date.
He has neglected some very impor-
tant work Of his Office but as it re-
lates to matters largely outside of
this country it does not attract the
popular attention that his work at
AA0hAG nOCos AAOhCNCAB ~ 10 nAOPCA "
state that his work will now be put
to the test of actual experience. He
has done these things; now how will
they work? His failure in diplomacy
is likely to cost the country dearly,
more dearly than the popular mind
will realize unless hostilities develop
as the result of neglect and weak
ness. His liberality with the Fill
pinos may rise up to plague him. 1t
certainly will if the Filipinos have
been given these enlarged powers too
soon. We hope it will not but there
is the possibility of trouble.
His restoration of the political
spoils system is sure to result in in
efficiency and increased expense.
This will cause some criticism and
dissatisfaction but-be will also have
in office political friends that may be
of great help to him in future con-
tests. theoretically it should weak
en- him but practically it may not.
We are not convinced that the new
tariff law will prove an asset to the
president. Too many mills and fac
tories are curtailing production and
too many laborers are being laid off
to make the bill popular. Thus far
it has failed completely in reducing
the cost of living as promised but
has increased the revenue of foreign
producers and if this continues to be
the result the longer the law is tried
the louder will be the criticism of it,
In the currency bill Pres. Wilson
has undoubtedly permanently chang
ed the financial policy of the country.
We fear the law is not perfect 1t
would be a wonder if it was made
perfect in it's first enactment. There
is danger of flatism and in other
ways it's practical working may
prove undesirable but these defects
can be remedied without changing
the purpose of the law to give us a
more elastic currency under govern
ment rather than private control. 1t
is probable the government will new
er release it's control of the curren-
cy.
In conclusion, we see more pros
pect of popularity for the president
in the liberality with the Filipinos
and in the new currency law than
elsewhere and these may make him
very popular. On the other hand
there are other things that may be
such great failures as to over
whelm the good standing the presi-
dent now enjoys with the people
So the presidents standing is not
permanently assured although he has
made a good start toward it.