The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-13
ROOTS WARNING TO STATES
THAT THE NATIONAL GOVERN
MENT ~ THE SUPREME POWER

And VIII Leglslate as Inc People Demand
n the states Continue TO Neglect Their
D~uty-slate Lines zone. Anyway
-Grest speech TO PennsylN ania Society.
Pennsylvanians to the number Of more
than 700 honored Secretary Root last night
at a dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria. IL
was the eighth annusl dinner of the Penn
s~ylvania Society. 1t was a notable well
come that the Secretary of State received
from the Pennsylvanians and their guests,
and it was a notable speech that Mr.. Root
made in response 10 this welcome.
Mr.. Roo devoted all Of his remarks to a
defence of the Capitalization policy OF the
Government and 10 discussing the future OF
the States OF the Union. He declared that
the sentiment for the separate States had
become dim in comparison with hat for the
central Government, that State boundaries
had been obliterated and that our whole
life was winging away from State centres
and was crystallizing about national CEN
tres.
1t was the failure of the State to respond
w puphS eththhioiiN III lidhliB laws Nho'
was responsible for much Of this c~entralizing
policy. He cited the antitrust law the anti
rebate law and other measures as examples
of what the States had formerly done ade-
quately, but no longer did adequately. The
people would have co ntrol over such mat
tiers. he declared. and il the States failed to
give it the people would rest the power in
the central Government. The only way for
the States to preserve their authority was
by effective legislation in conformity to
Ithe moral sense of the country.
Mr.. Roots address was listened to with
almost perfect stiffness until the close.
when there was a great outburst of APP
plause. 1t was the topic Of much discus
sion among the diners, so much, in fact,
that it was very hard for the POSTMASTER
to restore quiet for the following speakers.
JUDGE REPLIES TO ROOT.
The ne xt speaker after Mr.. Root was
Supreme Court Justice John Hay hTeSn u
Pennsylvania. His remarks were so d-
rectly opposed TO those OF the Secretary
of State as to be regarde d almost as a reply
to them and defence OF State rights.
He said:
The Judiciary May | ask you to hear
the words of the beloved Chief Justice of
our State. More independent, less directly
responsible, either to the other departments
or to the people at large, yet holding neither
purse nor the sword, its authority depends
wholly upon reason.
But how transcendent il its authority
to mark the limits of executive and legisla-
tive power; to administer the law and give
commands, not only to individuals. but to
President and Congress; to sit in judg-
ment on the proceedings and privileges of
the sovereign States, and TO give final form
and effect to the great charter Of the Union
on which the rights, the peace the harmony,
the prosperity, safety and honor Of the
whole country depend"
The dinner, because of the presence Of
the Secretary Of State, drew a great crowd
that taxed the seating capacity of the Wal
dorf- Astoria's banquet hall to the utmost,
and even overhowed into many of the
rooms adjoining. Seldom, TOO, has the
place been as lavishly decorated.
The guests sat in a veritable flower gar
den. There were great ~festoons of flowers
every where. Over the guests table was
an oil painting Of William Penn. There
were flags galore. Mr., Roots picture was
on the menus. Before the dinner Mr..
Root held a reception in the myrtle room
of the hotel and was introduced TO the
guests by a committee consisting of George
A. Post, Robert c. Hill, Robert Mazet and
l John Rowe Cox.
I j. Hampton Robb presided at the dinner.
and on his right sat the Secretary Of State
{ with Senator Knox Of Pennsylvania on his
left. Among the other guests at the head
: table were Gen. Grant, Admiral Coghlan,
e John r. Van Wormer, James 7. Du Bots.
. Justice j. HAY Brown Of the Supreme Court
D Of Pennsylvania, Frederick Wendell Jack
son. Francis kay Pendleton, +. F. Darrell
Bishop Ethelbert Talbot, Supreme Cour
{ Justice NJ. Lin Bruce and the heads Of
many sister societies. Seated at the tables
were many Pennsylvanians who had come
I on from their State to hear Mr.. Roots
D speech.
u GREAT GREETING TO ROOT.
Before starting the speechmaking there
was a toast to the President and another
toast to the keystone State, which evoked
great cheering. But it was when the Sec,
n rotary of State was introduced that there
4 came the greatest outburst OF the evening
The diners kept it up for a long time.
In introducing Mr.. Root President Robt
paid a tribute to his standing as a diplo.
mat and there were more cheers. Mr.. Robt
said:
An eminent historian has said that nOthinE
was more remarkable in the history Of Oul
nation than the skill with which our AFFAIR
Of state have been managed. The United
, States has invariably held it's own and tn
series Of successes won by our State Depart
ment has been the surprise of the older Powers
This has been accomplished through an agencl
II without the schooling found in the Old World
y Look back and see TO whom this department
has been intrusted. What illustrious mel
;, they have been.
You. Mr.. Root. are n worthy successor Of tn
q great chiefs who have preceded you. As Score
tary Of State YOU have added to the distinc
It ton and the greatness OF our common country
We are especially mindful OF this by reasoI
Of your journey to South America. Not only
v has that strengthened our relations witt
/" those countries, but il has added 10 our com
mercial supremacy and increased our trade
y The State Department is recognized as thu
- conservative part of each administration III
!" duties are not altogether its relations u
e foreign affairs. The Secretary of State is
N the head Of the country. His advice ia sought
4 and when il ig conservative his service is very