The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1908-06-13
DoNALDsoNvIIIE La, SATURDAY
SOUND ON STATES RIGHTS.
President Roosevelt Defines His views as
as to the Relative Powers of the
State and National Gov.
arnnaanfS

the White House recently is we'll de-
seribed in the following associated
press dispatches:
SAT the conclusion of Mr.. Bry an S
address the president opened the
meeting to governors who had not had
al opportunity to speak In response
to this invitation Gov. Conner of Ala
bama took the platform and while
heartily indorsing the objects of the
conference, he remarked, turning to the
president: I'VE are little bit skittish,
Mr.. President, about turning over our
railroads to the president. We do
not quite go with you there-5ut the
waterways.
'tThis seeming desire of Gov.
Conner to get away quickly from his
suggestion Of opposition to the presi-
dent struck the risibilities OF the con-
ference and general laugh followed.
Gov. Conner continued with serious
discussion of whether the state or the
nation should control the waterways.
He said that his state was anxious to
develop the water power of the streams
and also make them navigable for
commerce. He said that the states
were IN doubt as to what the nation s
intentions were in this respect. His
state wanted to know whether in build
ing locks for the navigation of the
rivers the nation would not permit
these locks to be constructed so as to
develop water power. This question,
he said, was highly important in con-
nection with the mussel shoals project.
when Gov. Conner finished, the
president carried the convention en-
tirely of its feet with an unexpected
but brief address in which he placed
himself squarely on record as to his
belief regarding the division of power
between the states and the nation.
t'sI want to say one word about the
twilight land-the power between the
federal and state governments. My
aim in the action I have advocated for
the regulation of the great corpora
tions he's been to provide sound,
effective, popular sovereignty for
each corporation. Applausel. What
I am trying to find out-not mega
lively, not by decisions that a state
can not act, or federal decision that the
nation can not act-is where one or
the other can act so that there shall
always be some sovereign power on
behalf of the people that they may
hold over the big corporations, over
the big individuals, too, that an ac-
countability regarding sheir acts shall
be had for the benefit of the people.
(Applause and cheers. 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 can not act then I
wish on behalf of the state that the
national government should act. y
tApplause).
"The president then explained in
detail his position relative to the use
of water power and other concessions
granted by the national government to
corporations and individuals.
HE believed that none of these
privileges should be granted without
a reservation in the franchise limiting
the time it should run and providing
| that compensation be had for the pro-
viding.
'tghis, he said, guaranteed to future
generations the right to control the
natural resources on which they woult
depend and make it possible for then
to terminate any private control ovel
such resources which might be granted
now.
"'Where this policy can be carried
out best by the state it ought to be b.
the state. Where it can be best car
ried out by the nation, then the naJiol
should enforce it. My concern is no
in the academic discussion of eithe
the principle of states rights o
the principle of national sover
eighty, but it is what will best con
serve the needs of the people as
whole. -
1.-THE presidents remarks were re
/. ceived with thunderous applause an
shouts, and it was some time befor
the conference could proceed wit
other addresses.