The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-03-11
TWO YEARS OF WILSON.


and to forecast as well the events Of
his remaining two years, so far as /,
is possible in this world OF the un.
known and the unexpected.
When Mr.. Wilson was inaugurat ed
he had in an unusual degree the good
Will of men of all parties and the
general disposition was to give him
fair play. The asperities which usual
ly mark political controversy were sc
bitter between the two factions into
which the Republican party had split
that by comparison he was regarded
with a sort OF benevolent liberation
oy both factions Many Republicans
eanbittered against one or other OF
their rival candidates, mad compro-
missed by voting for Mr.. Wilson The
president sought to take advantage OF
this condition OF popular feeling by
eniiSting the support of some OF his
opponents, for In his inaugural ad-
dress he appealed for the aid OF "all
forward-looktng men, without regard
to party In carrying through his pro-
gramme of constructive 'egislatio
This fact, coupled with his professions
OF fidelity to civil service reform prin-
ciples while he was a college presi-
dent, his high office IN the Civil Serv-
Ice Reform League and his relegation
Of details regarding appointments to
his heads of departments, fostered the
hope that his administrs ton would be
free from spois distribution and pat
ronage scandals
AT the outset he made some APP
proach to living up to the expectations
he had raised. His tariff policy was
supported by a number Of progressive
Republicans who while thinking II by
no means perfect and whilo believing
some OF its reductions too drastic. held
IT to be nearer what the people de-
manded than the proceeding tariff. The
income tax, as a measure which had
been hade possible and had been adj
vocated by Republicans, was support
ed by men of both parties. The Fed
eral reserve law had Its inception un-
der the preceding Republican admin
fstration, but was finally nodded by
the Joint efforts OF Republicans and
Democrats. The president held con-
gress closely to It's task OF completing
the revenue and banking laws before
the close of 1913 and congress accept
ed his leadership without question and
completed the work laid out by him.
At no time since his inauguration
has President Wilson stood higher In
public estimation than at the opening
Of 1914. His prestige had been height
ened by achievement. and he was the
unauestionable leader Of his party. Yet
he had already done certain things
which had begun to undermine his
power. He had practically interviewed
in Mexico by giving Huerta notice to
quit and had inaugurated the policy
nj ualf a. g-,I. 4.k-.
rupted only by the seizure and aban-
donment of Vera Cruz and which mas
placed the United States in the posi-
tion of calmly watching neighbor
drown In Its own blood. He had per-
mitted fourth-cass postoffices to be
thrown to the spoismen. The Pinder
episode showed him to be making po-
liticaa spoils OF one among our highest
diplomatic offices and had brought
upon him his first rebuff from the
senate
From that date, as criticism by his
opponents has become franker. he has
become more of partisan. He has
forced upon congress measures which
have caused acute discord in his own
party, and he has added political pro-
scription of tnsurgent Democrats to
that of Republicans He split his
party on the canal tolls bill, and pro-
voaked severest criticism by some Of the
ablest Democrats for his toothless anti
trust bills. When he tried to punish
the insurgents by ignoring them in
making appointments. he was forced
TO back down by a united senate.
Needless of this warning. he pushed
aside his entire prearranged programme
of constructive legislation In order to
force his ship-purchase bill on con-
sress. Again his party has divided,
and he has been constrained to acknow-
ledge defeat. though he never welded
the panty whip more unsparingly
Aside from Mexico. his foreign pol
Icy In other respects was marred by
the spoiis- hunting and narrow PARTISAN
ship of his secretary OF state, combdn-
ed with an attempt to put in practice
the latter's utopian dreams of peace
IN a warning world. The offices nee
essary to administer our sacred trust
for the weak republic of San Domingo
have been made into spoils The ma
ton is to be Inundated and bled by
Colombian blackmaiiers in order to smr
the Republican president who made the
Panama canal possible. Peace treaties
are made with foreign powers which
utterly tie our hands should a sudden
crisis require vigorous action in de-
Tense OF American commerce.
The latest important domestic act
of the president reexs with vengeful
partianship and with other political
motives. However competent they may
be in other respects. neither OF the
two men whom he has appointed as
minority members OF the Federal Trade
commission can by any stretch OF Ian
guage be held TO represent the chief
minority party.
In all these transactions the presi-
dent has descended step by step from
the position OF national leadership,
which he took upon his Inauguration,
to that of narrow party leadership.
Not content with being party leader,
he has constituted himself a despot.
Although the nation entrusts legisla-
tion TO the wisdom of the president,
ninety-six senators and 435 representa-
tives. Mr.. wilson assumes that he alone