The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-17
SUNDAY, MAY II, 1908.
THE GOVERNORS, CONFERENCE.

THE GOVERNORS CONFERENCE.
For the first time in the history Of
the nation all the executive heads Of
the separate sovereign States were
: brought together to be exhorted and
!. encouraged by Secretary Root and
President Roosevelt, the two men who
of all others have most threatened to
usurp the powers of the States for the
central government. Here If ever were
fire and tow and chance for explo-
sions. Yet nothing but harmony pre-
vailed.
In the course of his remarks Mr..
Bryan said:
There Is no twilight zone between
the nation and the State, In which
exploiting interests can take refuge
from both. and my observation is that
most-not all, but most-of the con-
tentions over the line between nation
and State are traceable to predatory
corporations which are trying to shield
themselves from deserved punishment
or endeavorine to prevent needed re.
straining Legislation"
cized, amid great applause, by saying:
II want to say one word about the
twilight land-the power between the
Federal and State government. My aim
in the legislation l have advocated for
the regulation of the great corpora
lions has been to provide sound, effec-
tive. popular sovereignty for each cor
poration.
What 1 am trying to find out-not
negatively, not by decisions that a,
State cannot act or Federal decisions
that the nation cannot acts 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 their acts shall
be had for the benefit of ..ie people.
I'm 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 II the matter
is such that the State itself cannot act.
then l wish on behalf of the state that
the national government should act.
1t was this keynote of Increased eff
ticiency in safeguarding the peoples
rights that gained Mr.. Roosevelt his
applause and established his popular
ity and leadership.
Then, in the matter Of the Hall of
Governors" Mr.. Roosevelt thought a
permanent organization Ill advised;
and though he gave those of the OPP
posite view all the leeway they de-
sired his wishes prevailed
1t is true that the proposed Hall OF
Governors would have been at It's in
ception an anomaly, but ut might as
well have evolved into a governmental
arm of power. as the electoral col
lege has devolved into discarded
piece of elective machinery. Mr.. Roose-
Welt evidently desired no such con-
tingency, and therefore he threw the
weight of his influence against the
proposal and it died.
The conference, however, was a ma
tional event of real Importance Some
anti ROOSEVELT papers saw in 1T only
thlrd-term movement. and all the
world saw an exhibition of mastery OF
men that has only been tqualed IN
modern times by Bismarck and VIII
liam the Second of Germany.
Behind this fancied object and real
achievement, however, lies the fact that
the conference, by bringing together the
Governors and such distinguished men
as w. j. Bryan, Andrew Carnegie, ..
j. Hill and John Mitchell, will incal-
c,,lably stimulate throughout the
whole nation a spirit of mutual de-
IL
administering the natural resources OF
the whole country for the oeneht'
present and future. Of all the citizens.
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(. MAYOR McCARTHY'S APPOINTMENTS
The Auditing Committee of the Cen
ora, Assembly are to be congratulated
on securing the services of Mayor Nc
Carthy as special accountant to ex-
anime the books Of the State fiscal
officers.
Mr.. McCarthy4s an expert accountant,
a persevering investigator. clear eX-.
r positor of what he finds necessary to
report. His accomplishments and char
acter make the committees choice emil
nently suitable, and are an assurance
that the examination Will be thorough
and without favor.
But above the happiness Of the selec-
ton Of Mr.. Mccarthy is the astounding
conditions under which the committee
held its deliberations. There We're no
applicants for the position, and the
committee were enabled. and in an at
mosphere free from the observation OF
Importantly, to make an unbiased
choice.
The fact is without precedent In the
history OF appointive positions in this
State. MOI. can 1T be satisfactorily ex-
planned.
Are the numerous gentlemen in this
i Commonwealth who usually tender
their services when an Office of any
kind whatsoever is to be filled losing
their watchfulness over the govern-
ment'a proceedings? Or are those be-