Page:Famous Living Americans, with Portraits.djvu/481

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458 FAMOUS LIVING AMEBICANS ability along this line had been proven so abnndantly in Philippines. In September, 1906, he arriyed in Havana, using the same candid methods in Cnba that he employed sneh beneficial effects in the PhiUppines, he soon establii order in the island. A provisional government was appoii an American "army of padfication" was sent there to serve order, Cubans with American "advisers" were pli in the cabinet, and officers and citizens alike were instm in the, fundamental principles of self-government. The Ai ican protectorate was withdrawn early in 1909, and Cuba seems to be enjoying a stable government. While Secrel of War Mr. Taft made a trip around the world. In aco ance with Mb promise to the Filipinos, he returned to islands to be present at the opening of their first national sembly. He spoke to them once more face to face, remin( them to beware of agitators who were clamoring for full f dom before they had learned the rudiments of seIf-con1 In Japan he reminded the people that "war between Ja and the United States would be a crime against modem iUzation." While in no sense a candidate, declaring that Ms ambi was not political, Mr. Taft was nominated by the Bepublic on June 18, 1908, as their candidate for President. He easily elected in November. Soon after Ms inauguratioi convened Congress, in obedience to the party's platfom he understood it, for the enactment of a new tariff law. result was the Payne-Aldrich tariff, wMch he signed. He not approve of some of its provisions but in a speech deft ing it as a whole made the unfortunate statement that the act was ' ' the best tariff bill that the Republican Party has ( passed, and therefore the best tariff bill that has been pat at all." Immediately the storm broke, Democrats and aurgent Republicans vigorously challenging the truth of statement. Vindictive war also was made upon some of President's cabinet appointments. The congressional i tions of 1910 went against the party in power. His advo( of Canadian reciprocity also brought upon Mm much adv