Mr. Taft was inaugurated on Thursday at Washington as President
of the United States, but the ceremony was almost completely spoiled by a snowstorm which cut Washington off from the rest of the country and interrupted the telegraphic service. Mr. Taft could not make use of the platform in front of the Capitol, and delivered his inaugural address in the Senate. Four years ago Mr. Roosevelt spoke for about ten minutes, but, as the Times correspondent tells us, Mr. Taft spoke for nearly an hour. lie took the unusual course of outlining the measures which he considered necessary to effect " the Roosevelt policies." For the proper regulation of the Trusts both the laws that govern them, and the' Executive machinery responsible for enforcing those laws, must be simplified and consolidated. There would be a special Session on March 15th to revise the Dingley Tariff, and probably a reduction would be possible. A graduated Inheritance-tax might also be necessary. A suitable Army and Navy should be maintained " without fear of danger to the Republic." Asiatic immigration could be reduced to a minimum " without unnecessary friction." Outbursts of race feeling against foreigners would be punished. The Government would be " pusillanimous " if it failed in its duty in this respect owing to technical difficulties in the relations of the Federal power and the States. As for the negroes in the Southern, States, he had no prejudices against them ; those who were fit for office should hold office. The news is still scanty, but we should think this brave yet moderate address cannot fail to have enlisted the sympathy of the best elements in the country.
