The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-04-21
HOT TIMES COMING
WILSON, ROOSEVELT AND TAFT
MAY ALL TAKE THE STUMP
IN THE AUTUMN.
TOLLS REPEAL THE ISSUE
President Probably viii Defend His
Course, Which the Two Former
Chief Executives Are Expect
ed to Attack In Campaign.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

Washington.-A few days ago
President Wilson was asked at one of
his Monday conferences with the
Washington correspondents if it was
his intention to go into some of the
states this fall for the purpose of
campaigning in behalf of his party,
which then will be engaged in battle
for continuance of its supremacy in
the house of representatives The
presidents answer was that he had
not yet been invited. The Inference
from what followed was directly to
the point that Mr.. Wilson probably
would consider seriously campaign
ing trip after his summers rest.
If the president makes up his mind
to go before the country he will have
two great matters to defend, or, If
not to defend, to explain. One is his
Mexican policy and the other is the
request that congress should repeal
the tolls exemption clause of the Pan
anna canal act. The opposition par
ties, the Republicans and the Progress
ives, and here and there some Demo
ocrats, have charged that the presi-
dents Mexican endeavors have failed,
that Watchful Waiting has been i'm
potent to accomplish anything, and
that his course on the repeal act has
been un-American.
Roosevelt May Oppose.
Democrats and Republicans here be-
lieve, and it seems likely that the Pro
gressives know, that when Theodore
Roosevelt comes back to this country
he will assail the administrations pol
icies in Mexican and in toll exemption
repeal matters. Colonel Roosevelt
has been long way off for long
time, but it is known he has been in
touch with the leaders of the Progress
i've movement in this country 1t is
surmised from what the Progressives
say that the colonel has not been al
lowed to remain in ignorance of the
developments of affairs here, political
economic and legislative
If Colonel Roosevelt should carry
out the suggestions already made to
him and should fulfill the prophecies
which Democrats and Republicans are
making day by day by going before
the country on a speech-making tour
In opposition to President Wilson and
should speak simultaneously with Mr.
Wilson speaking in defense, the coun
try would witness warm time of II
in the field of discussion.
Every Progressive in the house OF
representatives except three, voted
against the presidents demand that
the tolls exemption clause should be
repealed The Progressives who part
ed on this matter from their brethren
said they were acting as they did
through conviction, for they thought
the exemption of coastwise sailing
ships from the payment of tolls was a
plain violation of the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty.
Issue for Proeressives.
Both Theodore Roosevelt and Will
liam Howard Taft we're in favor OF
exempting American coasters from
the payment of canal tolls. Mr.. VIII
son takes exactly the opposite view
The Progressives like the Republic
ans, now have distinct and up-to
date issue with which to go before
the country in opposition to the de
mand of the Democrats that they be
continued in power. If this repeal
bill had not come up for discussion
the congressional campaign of next
fall probably would have been devoid
of great interest. AS it is, with
Woodrow Wilson campaigning in be
half of the Democrats, Theodore
Roosevelt campaigning I'M behalf OF
the Progressives and William H. Taft
and other Republican leaders cam
paigning in behalf of Republicanism
and making arguments fly like arrows
the contest promises to be interesting
and perhaps warlike.
President Wilson, in his address tc
congress asking for the repeal of the
exemption clause, made 1t seem thai
there was an underlying connection
between the request and foreign mat
tiers in which this government il
vitality interested Men have gone sc
| far as to say the president believes
| that if we should offend England by
exempting our vessels from tolls pay
ment, the Englishmen. holding tha
the act was treaty violation. would
look coldly on this country if it be
came involved in trouble with Japan
England has an agreement with Japar
which would prevent it from siding
against that government except un
der certain conditions. 1t is actual!
| believed that President Wilson hat
something of this kind In mind wher
he limited that our course in foreign
relations would be much clearer If tn,
tolls repeal law was passed. 1t Il
limited by some leading Democrat
that one day the presidents reasons
will be made clear.
|