The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-15

declared that money spent in these
great projects was bequest to those
who are to come after US and this
gathering would be remembered with
future generations because they as
well as ourselves would be the recip-
tents of the benefits to follow.
Governor Conner, of Alabama, took
the platform and while heartily en-
dorsing the objects of the conference,
he remarked, turning to the .presi-
dent:
1--WE are a little bit skittish, Mr..
President, about turning over our rail-
roads to the president. We don't
quite go with you there-but the wat
erways.'' This seeming desire OF
Governor Conner to get away quickly
of his suggestion of opposition to the
president, caused general laugh.
Governor Conner said that his state
was anxious to develop the water
power of the streams and also make
them navigable. His state wanted to
know whether in building locks the
nation would not permit them to be
constructed so as to develop water
power.
The President Replies.
When Governor Conner had finished
the president carried the convention
entirely off 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 nation.
'I want to say one word about the
twilight-the power between the fed
eral and state governments. My aim
in the legislation ! have advocated for
the regulation of the great corpora
tons has been to provide sound. enec-
tive popular sovereignty for each cor
poration. (Applause). What I am try
ing to find out-not negatively, not by
decisions, that a state can not act or
federal decisions 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 .ind1vid-
uals too, that an accountability re-
garding their 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 1t
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" (Applause).
The president explained in detail his
position relative to the use OF water
power and other concessions granted
by the national government to corpor-
atoms 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 paid for the privilege. This, he said,
guaranteed to future generations the
right to control the natural resources
on which they would depend and make
it possible for them to terminate any
private control over such resources
which might be granted now.
Where this policy can be carried
out best by the state 1t ought to be
done by the state. Where it can be
best be carried out by the nation then
the nation should enforce it. My con-
Germ is not in the academic discus
sion of either the principle of states
right or the principle of national SOW
ereignty, but it is what will best con-
serve the needs of the people as
whole"
The presidents remarks were receiv-
ed with thunderous applause and
shouts and it was some time before
thee difference could proceed with 9TH
err addresses.
Governor Hoch of Kansas, Meade of
Washington. and others spoke briefly.
After Mr.. Bryan's,- resolution of