The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-21
STILL A PA1TER
Ex-President Taft Critfcfses
Many Government Reforms.
He Scores Primary Election
Law in Indiana Speech.

Bloomington. Ind, Jan. 21.-De-
claring tina. the country was hating
in business a. : progress and learning
the unwise steps that had been taken
and needed t. be retraced, William
H.. Taft, former president. said here
today that. the people should go back
to the line of Justice. equity and
moderation. Professor Taft was the
guest Of Indiana university anC deliv-
cred the principal address at the
Founders day exercises, which cele-
brated the ninety-fifth anniversary OF
the university.
I'VE need not go back to the con-
ditions that led to the great reforms
and we shall IT do so,'' said Mr.. Taft.
Corporations have been driven out OF
politics. and while, of course. corrup-
ton is not ever absent, the danger of
plutocracy has disappeared and the
purificati OF politics has constituted
a real reform for which all good citi-
zens must be grateful.
Hostile Legislation.
1.-THE hostility of legislatures and
congress. consciously or unconscious
ly. has come to be directed against all
successful investments or capital
without discrimination. Nothing is so
timid as capital and nothing is so
able to take care of what it has. The
inquisito-ial and nagging character of
Tie pOWcIS VI COIIlullSSlOIS, CICdtCu
for the close supervision Of corporate
activities. have SO frightened capital
as to shrink investments and stop the
normal expansion in the business of
the country.
THE sad feature of such excess of
remedy" continued Mr.. Taft, how
ever well intended, is that the persons
who suffer most are the least able to
bear suffering-the wage-earners,
whose comfort and living are depend
ent upon constant employment"
Increased rates for the railroads,
when the conditions require it, was
urged by ldr. Taft. He said the full
railroad company the burden of en-
ploying unnecessary labor. an exac-
ton due to the undue and unjust in
fiuence exercised by the trade unions
over legislatures" should be repealed.
Criticiscs Reforms.
Professor Taft criticised many of the
new reforms in governmental affairs
and declared that the selection Of cam
didates at a general primary has not
tended to the elimina ton of corruption
or political machine rule and the Sc
lection Of better representatives of
party.
THE standard of judges in those
states where candidates are elected by
general primary have notably and
perceptibly become inferior to those
who were selected under the old con-
vention SYSTEM" Mr.. Taft declared.
He criticised the initiative, refer
endum and the recall, especially deplor-
ing the idea of the recall of judges.
In referring to the European war.
Mr. Taft said that it ''staggers the
INA gination in the loss of life and de-
struction of hard earned capital. When
it came, 1t was such shock and such
a disappointment that those who hoped
for human progress lost their faith.
We find occasion for hope, however,
from the various sufferings, which
when the war is over, will prompt the
adoption of some peaceable means OF
settling international disputes in order
to prevent a recurrence of such an aw-
full catastrophe"