Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-09-10


Declares For Liberal Interpretation
OF Constitution Of Federal Powers,
But Insists Rights Of States Must
Be Preserved.
Monday was William II. Taft's day
in ST. Paul. MINI. Ten thousand peo-
pie who heard him speak at the Audi.
forum yelled: $4,000 more at the state
fair grounds gave their approval by
cheers and the waving Of flags. and
scores of thousands OF others lined the
pavements OF the streets over which
Mr. Taft whirled. declared 1t. too, in
no uncertain fashion.
In the hotel Hobbies where the poll
ticians congregatc the verdict was
HE made a great speech at the con.
servation congress" Some went so far
as TO say that II was the best speech.
the most comprehensive. the most
straight from the shoulder" talk that
he has ever made.
The president asserted that there
was a disposition to look too much 'o
the federal government for everything
and added with emphasis that caused
a profound impression:
Il am liberal in the construction OF
the constitution with reference to fed.
eral power, but | am firmly convinced
that the only safe course for us TO pur.
sue is TO hold fast to the limitations
OF the constitution and to guard as sa.
cred the powers Of the states
He insisted that the time for rhap.
sodies had passed: that those who
urge conservation must feel the ne.
cessity of making clear how conserva.
and must propose specific methods
and legal provisions.
Again as touching on the real con.
troversy that is likely to break out
into bitter fight later in the week
state control of resources versus ma.
tional control-the president said: Il
call attention to the fact that very
important part Of conservation must
always fall upon the state legislatures.
and that they would better be up and
doing"
But when IL came to the specific
subject on which this controversy
turns at present he took neither side
This came out in his discussion OF
water power sites. The president set
forth the arguments made for state
control Of the power sites and the ar
guments for federal control, and then
added:
Il do not express an opinion upon
the controversy thus made or a pref
erence as TO the two methods of treat.
ing water power sites | shall submit
the matter To congress and urge that
one or the other OF the two plans be
adopted"
References to former President
Roosevelt were eagerly looked for and
carefully weighed by the 1000 dele.
gates sitting in the congress
OF the inc aption OF the conservation
work he said.
Theodore Roosevelt took up this
task in the last two years of his sec.
ond administration and well did he
perform II. AS president of the United
States. | have. as II were. inherited
this policy. and | rejoice in my herit.
age. What can do in the cause
shall do. not as president of party
but as president of the whole peo
pie"
Again he said:
When President Roosevelt became
fully advised Of the necessity for the
change in our disposition Of public
lands he began the exercise OF the
power OF withdrawal by executive or
der. The precedent he set in this mat
ter was followed by the present ad.
ministration."
Mr. TAFT pointed ont that he had
obtained from congress at its last SEES.
sion an act specifically to legalize such
Withdrawals
Mr.. Taft emphasized the fact that
real conservation involves wise. non
wasteful use by the present genera
ton. He said the problem was difficult
but that "the burden is on the present
generation promptly to solve II and
not to run away from II as towards
lest In the attempt TO meet II we NAV
make some mistake"