Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-05-16
STATE RIGHT UPHELD.
No Usurpation Intended, De.
 clares the President.
CONFERENCE IS ADJOURNED.
Governors Go Home After Passing Resolutions Providing For Carrying Out of Meetings Purpose--Mr. Bry- an Makes an Address.

an WakeS an Address.
 Washington, May 16-In addressing
 the conference of the governors, which
 adjourned after a three days session,
 President Roosevelt declared that the
 national government sought no usurpa-
 tion of state powers; that all he de-
 sired was to see the states act where
 the power to act was vested in them.
 With a vigor that was unmistakable
 he declared that all the national gov
 ernment was seeking was power the
 exercise of which would work the
 greatest good for the greatest number
 at all times. His speech was enthusi.
 astically applauded.
 The governors effected a permanent
 organization. They will meet next year
 at place yet to be determined. A
 committee of five. of which Governor
 Swanson of Virginia is chairman. was
 vested with the power to carry out this arrangement
 Question of State Rights Raised.
 The question of state rights and fed eral power was raised by Governor Conner of Alabama. who has been in conflict with the federal courts over railroad legislation and control The president sought to clear the atmos- phere. He spoke with emphasis and enthusiasm. as follows:
 Just word of what has been call ed the twilight land between the pow CTS of the federal and state govern ments. My primary aim in the legis- lation that l have advocated for the l regulation of the great corporations has been to provide some effective | popular sovereign for each corporation. I do not wish to keep this twilight 1, land one of large and vague bounda- ries by judicial decision that in a giv- en case the state cannot act and then few years later by other decisions that in practically similar cases the nation cannot act either. I am trying to find out where one or the other can act, so there shall always be some sovereign power that on behalf of the people can hold every big corporation, every big individual, to an accounta- bility so that it's or his acts shall be beneficial to the people as whole. In matters that relate only to the people within the state of course the state is to be sovereign, and it should have the power to act. If the matter is such that the state itself cannot act. then wish on behalf of all the states that the national government should act.
 Water Rights the Nations Property.
 Take such matter as charging a rent for water power. My position is simply that where a privilege which may be of untold value in the future to the individual grantee is asked from the federal government. then the fed eral government should put into the grant a condition that it shall not be a grant in perpetuity. If there is ne. cessity for the grant, then there must be power to attach conditions to the grant. Make it long enough so that the corporation shall have an ample l, reward. The corporation de. serves it. Give an ample reward to the captain Of industry, but not an in. and indefinite reward. Put n a provision that will enable the V. next generation. that will enable oui 'hildren at the end of certain speci. , jed period. to say what in their judg. :. nent should then be done with that , ,reat natural power which is of use to = he grantee only because the people as whole allow him to use it. It is em. nently right that he should be allowed O make ample profit from his develop nent of If. but make him pay some. ] hing for the privilege and make the . rant for fixed pSriod. so that when | he conditions change. as in all proba 2 'ility they will change. our children he nation of the future. shall have tn, s ight to determine the condition upor II which that privilege shall be enjoyed 1 n these cases the state has not acted r cannot act: therefore,. sold the ma e ion should act Where the policy l V dvocate can he carried out best by Q he state lot 1t be carried out by tho D tate. Where it can he carried out 'est hy the nation let it be carried out y the nation My concern is not with hp apadPtuif ..'.'- af thp nupstfon I a