The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1912-02-21
Ex-Prssident Delivers Speech
Before Constitutional Con-
vention Of Ohio Outlines
His Views on Public Issues
TAKES INDIRECT
JABS AT PRESIDENT
Declares thatHe Favors Initia-
tive and Referendum Recall
Of the Judiciary Necessary
Under Certain Conditions
Telegram BY United Press.

Telegram by United Press.
Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 2l- Contrary
to the expectations Of many Of his
friends, Theodore Roosevelt IN his ad-
dress before the constitutional con
yention here today, failed to answer
the burning question, 4WilI you ac-
cept?" He devoted his lengthy
speech to outlining his views on pol.
itieal questions, in many instances
taking direct issue with Taft without
alludlng to the president
The ex-president chose for his
theme "A Charter OF Democracy
speaking in part as follows
II believe in pure democracy. With
Lincoln, / hold that this country,
with It's institutions. belongs to the
people who inhabit il. Whenevea
they shall grow weary Of the existing
government. they can exercise their
constitutional right of amending it.
We progressives believe that the peo.
pie have the right, the power, and the
duty to protect themselves and their
own welfare; that human rights are
supreme over all otksr rights; that
wealth should be the servant. not the
master Of the people. We believe
that unless representative government
does absolutely represent the people
it is not representative government
at ALL We test the worth Of all men
and all measures by asking how they
contribute to the welfare Of the men.
women. and children Of whom this
nation is composed We are engaged
in one Of the great battles Of the age
long contest waged against the priv
ilege on behalf Of the common vel
fass We hold it prime duty Of the
people to free our government from
the control OF money In politics. For
this purpose we advocate, not as ends
in themselves, but as weapons in the
hands Of the people. all governmental
devices which viii make the repre-.
sentatives Of the people more easily
and certainly responsible for the peo-
pies WILL
I Taking up the question Of the pur.
poses Of government, Mr. Roosevelt
called attention to the necessity foI
protecting the interests OF the wass
worker, the small producer and the
ordinary consumer. He then launch
ed out into discussion Of big bust
/ ness, saying ir part
IAN business into which the ele
inent Of monopoly in any way or le
/ gree enters and where q proves il
practice impossible totally to aiimi
nate This element Of monopoly. shouis
be carefully supervised. regulated
and controlled by governmental 81
thority; ana such control should b
exercised by administrative. raraei
than BY judicial officers. No etfof
should be made to destroy a bic coi
poration merely because It Is bis
merely because it has showa itsel
peculiarly efficient busin.e5 iastfg
ment But we should not fear, II ne,
. essary, to bring the regulation OF b
corporations to the point Of control
: ing conditions SO that the Wage.worl
er shall have a wage more than sa
4 ficient to cover the bare cost Of ii
s ing, and hours Of labor not 50 exec
+ siVe as to wreck his strength by Ii
I strain Of unendins told and leave hi
r unfit to DO his duty as a good ciflze
/. IN the community Where resuiatio
d BY compositions laAlch s 81 eouE.
Il pFeierablel proves insufficient =
\. should not Shrink from bringing so
y ernmenta regulation 10 the point
IS control 4 monopolles if It ahon