The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-31

carry human progress TO a higher plane
than IL has before reached.
NEEDS LESSONS.
Each nation can give lessons 10 every
other, and while our nation is I'm post
tion 10 make the largest contribution. /
believe, 70 the education OF the world, IL
ought to remain In the attitude OF a
pupil and be ever ready TO profit by the
experience OF others.
THE first message that | bring from
the Old World is "A message OF peace
The cause OF arbitration Is making real
progress In spite Of the fact that the
nations most prominent in the establish
ment OF The Hague tribunal have them
serves been engaged In war since that
court was organized
There is perceptible growth in senti-
ment In favor OF the settlement OF in
ternational disputes by peaceful means.
II was my good fortune TO be present al
the last session OF the Inter Parllamen-
tary union, which convened in London on
the 23d OF July. Twenty-six nations were
represented and these included all the
leading nations OF the world.
This peace congress as II is generally
known not only adopted resolutions IN
favor OF the Limitation OF armaments and
the arbitration OF all questions relating
TO debts, but unanimously indorsed the
proposition that all questions OF every
nature should be submitted 20 an Impair
tial tribunal for investigation or 10 the
mediation OF friendly nations before hos
tilities are commenced
Before leaving international politics
let me add that our nation has lost pres
tige rather than gained IL. by our expert
ment In colonialism We have given the
monarchists chance 10 ridicule our dec
laration OF independence. and the scoffer
has twitted US with inconsistency. A
tour through the Philippine Islands has
deepened the conviction that we should
lose no time in announcing our purpose
10 deal with the Filipinos as we dealt
with the Cubans.
PHILIPPINE PROBLEMS. =,
IF we intend TO hold them as subjects
we would not dare TO educate them. self
government with ultimate Independence
must be assumed IL we contemplate uni
versal education in the Philippines. AS
soon as opportunity offers shall dis
cuss the Philippine question more at
length. and / shall also refer 10 English
rule in India for IL throws light on our
own problems in the Philippines, but
these subjects must be reserved u ntil
] can speak more in detail.
In several OF the nations OF Europe
Ait lFb department OI KONtIU-
ment is more quickly responsive TO pub
lie sentiment than is our congress. In
England for instance where the min
istry is formed from the dominant party
when an election Is held upon any i'm
portant issue. the government proceeds
to put into law the will OF the people
expressed al the polls. While our sys-
tenn is superior in many respects. II has
one defect. viz: That congress does not
meet In regular session until IL months
after the election. During this period
there is uncertainty. long drawn out
which TO the business community is often
more DANA ging than a change OF policy
carried into effect.
Would not the situation be improved
by a constitutional amendment convening
the first session Of congress within
few months after the election and com
pellnR the second session to adjourn
several days before the following cleo
tion? Such a change would not only
serve legitimate business interests and
give the public the benefit Of more
prompt relief through remedial legisla-
tion. but II would protect the people from
the Jobs that are usually reserved for
the short session which is now held after
the election and when many OF the mem
bers feel less responsibility because OF
defeat at the polls.
URGED ELECTION CHANGE.
II return more Convinced than before
OF the importance OF a change in the
methods OF electing United States sena-
tors. There Is noticeable, everywhere a
distinct movement toward democracy in
its broadest sense.
I'm all the countries which l have
visited there Is a demand that the gov
ernment be brought near 10 the people.
In China a constitution is under con-
sideration. in Japan the people are de-
that the ministry. instead Of
being chosen by the emperor from among
his particular friends, shall be selected
from parliament and be in harmony
with the dominant sentiment; in India
there is agitation in favor Of a native
in Russia the Gar has been
10 recognize the popular voice
in the establishment Of a douma and
Europe the government man
ifests itself In various forms.
I'm the United States this trend toward
democracy has taken the form OF
growing demand for the election OF Unit
ed States senators by direct vote Of the
people II must be difficult TO overesti-
mate the strategic advantage OF this re-
form, for since every bill must receive
the sanction OF the senate. as well as Of
can Become a law, no important legisla
tion Of national character is possible
until the senate is brought into harmony
with the people
I'm advocating arbitration OF differ
ences between large corporate employ
ers and their employees I believe we are
defending the highest interests OF the
parties to these disputes, viz: The en-
ployers, the employees and the public.
The employe cannot be turned over 10
employer he dealt With as the
employer may please.
The question sometimes asked: Can
I not conduct my business to suit my
self?' is a plausible one. but when a
man in conducting his business at
tempts arbitrarily TO fix the conditions
under which hundreds OF employees are
TO live, and 10 determine the future Of
thousands OF human beings, l answer
without hesitation that he has no right
to conduct his business in such a way
as TO deprive his employees OF their
right TO life, liberty and the pursuit Of
happiness.
But IL IL is unwise TO make the en-
ployer the sole custodian OF the rights
and interests Of the employees. it is