The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-03-27
SIZING UP MR.. TAFT's RECORD

The fine personal qualities Of our latest ex-
President universally admitted but when It
comes to judging his official career, the various
critics 1t every color, from white to black. An
ex-Presdent placldy welding his putter on Geor.
gia green does not, OF course, become the object
OF such abuse or laudation as does candidate fight
ing from the stump for his political existence. Yet
It is none the less true that public opinion now, as
reflected in the daily press, does show the three
attitudes toward the Taft Administration which be-
came familiar in the 1912 campaign To most
Democrats, William Howard Taft was "as good a
President Republican could be-" to Progress
ives he seems a ptiable failure while Republicans
praise him because 'he true to the real inter
ests OF the whole people, to his conscience and to
the Constitution in period when nearly all of the
profits OF politics were going to demagogs." We
find Democratic editor admitting that his term
lis remarkable record Of unselfsh, conscientious,
laborious service, and of statesmanlike construc-
tive achievement" non partisan estimate has It
that Mr.. Tafts place in the record of President
is far from the bottom, thought not the top. :"
No one denies that Mr.. Tafts tenure Of office coin
cided with period of political revolution So, com
ments of his critics, the Newark News Qnd,)
"Mr. Taft might have stood out an exceptional
President" in the closing years Of the nineteenth
century, but for the period of 190919l3 he
out of touch with his time" His administration is
characterized by the Chicago News IA sort of
broad monotonous plain, across which have freely
marched and counter marched the forces of the rev.
olution."
Yet passing "trite fact" Mr.. Tafts
Inability master extraordinary political situ-
alton, 1t seems to the Springfield Republican Qnd)
that in spite OF political turmoil there has gradu-
ally and persistently been piled up under his ad-
ministration astonishing record of solid achieve
ment." This record, according to one of his strong
est Eastern newspaper supporters, the New York
Tribune (Rep.) has never before been equalled
by any President in a single term" And the Tri-
bune goes on to specify:
1.-THE achievements of the Taft administration
which stand out as pre-eminent are the legislation
accomplished, the enforcement OF the Sherman An
thrust law, the appointment Of more judges than
any previous President and the high character and
ability Of the named; the conduct of the ma
tons foreign affairs in such manner to preserve
and promote the friendship and respect which this
country commands from all the world; the promo
ton of the of international arbitration and
universal peace; the introduction into the conduct
OF the Federal departments Of those methods OF
economy and efficiency which had long been ignor.
ed, and the conversion of deficit Of s5S000,ooo
into an annual surplus OF nearly $5O,O0O0OO and
the consistent vetoing OF numerous measures which
either violated the Constitution struck at the
lions welfare"
Among the topics which this writer discusses
at some length are Mr.. Tafts Canadian reciprocity
policy which was carried to a successful issue ir
this country, but which met its fate through the
unwarranted fears OF the Canadian tories" Espe
cial mention is also made Of the Railway Rate Law
the several measures enacted to strengthen the ad
minisration's Federal conservation policy and tn,
corporation tax feature Of the Payne Tariff Act
which in The Tribune's opinion gave President Tar
as good right TO the name progressive" az hi,
predecessor.
Returning to the Sherman Antitrust Law ~,
are reminded that nearly seventy cases have bee,
instituted under this law, and while MANY ara stu
penang more than twenty-five have been carrie,
10 successful issue, These facts bring from tn
Indianapolis News Qnd.,) the remark that "tb
country has never seen such an enforcement NJ IN
Antitrust Law as it has had from this supposedI
reactionary President" And It 10 significant in mi
connection that In it's editorial on the Taft admir-
stration, the only cabinet member signed out 10
praise by the Springfield Republican ia Attorne,
General Wickersham. whose successful trust pro.
ecutions have broken all records and have give
new force and practical intent" to the sherma
Act.
The thing in which the ex president himaeI
takes most pride Is. he says:
THE constitution OF the personnel OF tho g.,
preme Court under my administration. Six OF IN
nine judges today bear my commission. Fort,8v
per cent OF the Federal judiciary have been appon,
I ed by me.
That is the reason why could not practI.
law as an advocate"
Yet with all this there are host who contend
that the Taft administration was failure and IN,
cause OF this faiu~ say several OF them was poin,
Cd out by Mr.. Taft himself II his confession" h.