Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. IV.djvu/213

WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT 173 This speech included a simplified exposition of the nature and uses of an injunction, and a defence of the power to punish contempt of court by sum mary process, without the trial by jury which the democratic platform demanded, and which he de clared would so hamper the administration of justice as to make it a laughing-stock. Although the republican platform, while favoring tariff re vision, did not say in so many words whether duties were to be raised or lowered, Mr. Taft gave the demand this interpretation: "The Dingley tariff has served the country well, but its rates have be come generally excessive, because conditions have changed since its passage. Some of the rates are probably too low, due also to the change of con ditions. But, on the whole, the tariff ought to be lowered." The conservatism of his statement must be kept in memory in order to understand the speaker s attitude when he had the question to deal with in the concrete. Accepting the platform as a mandate, President Taft convened Congress immediately after his inauguration, for the enactment of a new tariff law. The session lasted from March till August, and brought forth a bill sponsored by Representa tive Payne and Senator Aldrich, which did not meet the president s hopes, but which, after a care ful analysis of its details, he approved. There upon a long-gathering storm broke. Throughout