The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-16
PASSING or THE "REFORM Err"
statesmen Representing opposite Political
Poles Agree AhOIIt Him.

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN--Sir: Ac-
/ cording to recent magazine article
Young Jim" Wadsworth confesses an
instructive horror of reformers." This
| n sure to add to Mr.. Wadsworth's popu'
| larity. He has been associated with
| some horrible examples and Knows
whereof he speaks. 1t is believed That
his reported aversion includes all the
| known groups of these costly nuisanCes,
from trust busters and professional up
lifters to well meaning but meddlesome
lunatcs, who have impaired prosperity
in recent years.
| Now comes Colonel Roosevelt, and
adds strength to Mr.. Wadsworths posi-
! ton by saying that he believes the pub
4 lie Is tired Of reform and rcformers, In
Guiding himself. It is true that the re-
turns of the recent election appeared
to indicate that the Colonels criticism
of Mr.. William Barnes, Jr., made many
! friends for the latter. The reason FOR
the public's attitude toward the reforms
referred to Is obvious; It has expe-
rienced some Of their effects.
The magazine containing the Wads-
worth article Is something of an uplifter
itself. and 1t says that the young Sena-
tor-elect was severely criticised in ana
out of his party for opposition to the d.
rect primary" Perhaps his attitude al
this respect harmed that absurd inst.-
tuition less than did the action OF the
Western Senator who was the primary
most ardent advocate in his own sec
ton, but unhesitatingly refused to abide
by its results when u went against him.
This surprised none hut the unsophlsu-
Gated.
The magazine goes on To cay that Mr..
WadsworJh "is not endowed with the
creative spirit" meaning possibly the
spirit that creates Laws to hinder the
creation of wealth capital and employ
ment. 1t is true and very sad that
there Is nothing spectacular or sensa-
tional about Mr. Wadsworih. Probably
he will aim to alive in deeds. not words"
The public should apply to him, and also
10 the reformers at so much per" Ma
poleon's test What has he done?" not,
What has he undone? or. What has he
said? The elephant !s the emblem OF
rhe political party Young Jim" affects
and that animal Is more efficient than
the parrot in doing things on large
scale.
No reformers Of either the emotional
or the demagogic species are needed so
long as corn fed statesmen Of the Wads-
worth school hold sway. They are the
true roformers. who aim to, get BACK 20
tho methods approved by the great eco
monte authorities recognized by most
Of the persons having enough eNpe-
rience or scholarship TO understand their
reasoning. There H. no need 20 present
arguments for the correctness OF their
attitude toward the practical business
policies which have been dragged into
poltics. To state clearly che alleged re-
forms opposed by them is sufficient 10
prove their wor; hlessness.
II Is to he hoped that the time has
come when the activity Of public men
who have IAN instructive horror OF re-
formers" Of certain kinds WI end the
re en- of politicians who Witty ana mis-
represent the authors Of the countrN's
prosperity and thon brand these public
lenefactors as lobbyists or criminals Tor
daring To- make truthful answers for
tho protection Of their rights and the
public welfare.
Now is the time for me people 10
eypcditc the exit Of such reformers. by
tho appl,cation II scasonahle hr'cans.
n ". Paul.
w,surxGro~. u. G. December -.