Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-27
RoosEVELTs SPEECH.
Explains and Emphasizes His Plan to
 Recall Judicial Decisions.

Recall Judicial Decisions.
 Boston. Feb. 26.-Standing in the as- grubly chamber of the Massachusetts capitol today. Theodore Roosevelt ex- piained and emphasized his Lew pro- feet for the limited recall Of judicial decisions Colonel Roosevelt struck out out boldly a- those who have criticized his plan.
 No Prolonged Applause.
 "0ur system of government is a con- f-ssei failure.' he said. unless the people are to be trusted to govern Rhemselves.' Colonel Roosevelt'H visit Fo the state house was unexpected l'f'er appearing in the house he went Co the senate chamber and spoke briefly Tn both instances he was re- clred cordially. although there was no prolonged applause during his speech.
 Mir. Roosevelt's Speech
 fn addressing the house, Colonel Roosevelt said in part.
 t should be our aim, gentlemen to help better. not merely politically, but iriusiri1iiy the condition of those lsa-t favored by fortune, and to en- dear0r Go make and 10 keep the gov erUmeut of this country genuinely a government of, by and for the people tul because ] believe in genuine pop uI1r rule. ! favor direct nominations, direct primaries including direct pref crCuuai presidential primaries, not on l for local but for state delegates. believe in the adoption of wisely chosen devices under which the initia- tive and referendum can be used, not as 8 substitute for a representative government. but to make representa- ri~e government genuinely representa- tive. Co see it corrected if it becomes representative.
 Popular Interpretation of Constitution And ] wish tO say a few words to Eou to6av specifically on the proposi- ton 1f giving to the people in the last resort The interpretation of the con- stitution. My position is simple. It is -lat if the people know enough to make the constitution, they know enousi. in the last resort to say what it vas they meant when they made It..
 People Masters of Their Servants.
 ln the last resort, the people, after due deliberation, are 10 be and must be the masters and their representa- tives their servants. There is nothing ignoble in any man fit to be @ public servant avowing that he is such. It was Abraham Lincoln who. in his first
 
 ep1nsihility to--I use his words his masters. the American people"
 Not Advocating Recall of Judges.
 Now. in the measure that l advo- cate in tho method Of securing a proper interpretation of the constitu- lion which I advocate, remember to take what ! say. and not the hea adlines iu Inc new spspers purporting to tell whs, ! ssI. ] snI--hot advocating tho recall of judges. l am not advocating tho recall cf the judge. ! am advocat- Ing the recall of legalism 10 justice.
 The Judge Baldwin Incident.
 And I would like 10 ask you. whose memories extend back eighteen months to remember what was said eighteen months ago by the gentleman who criticised my criticism of the decision Of Judge Baldwin ss regards the rorkingman's compensation law. The game people that are most violent in dcrcunring the proposal I have now made. are those who at that time were nost violent in denounciug my criti- cisr1 of Judge Baldwin, and who hailed with delight the proposal that Judge Baldwin should sue me for libel But Fince that time the supreme court of the United States took, the same view that 0lu, anu 50 the 4lucl Sull Woulu have 10 include the supreme court as well as myself And l think that most or mr critics of that period have now ,ausnt up with me on that issue Give them a little time. and they will catch uU again.
 Let People Pzss Final Judgment.
 Now he proposal that make Is this My proposal applies onll to the .-EisiAiive acts which The courts de- clare unconstitutional ] refer speci- roailv to laws passed in the collective if.t-rest of the whole community. pass ed by the legislative body, in the ex- ercise of the power to promote the reucrai welfare IT such a law duly dealing with the collective interest