The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-03

Wants Sherman Antitrust Law to Stand Unal-
tered but Suggests Reducing Debatable
Ground by More Explicit Legislation-Urg
Primaries for Choice by Voters of Their
Nominees for the Presdency-Dis
Philippines, Hawaii and Alaska.

the presidency OF the United States
feel confident that I do not misinter-
pref the wishes or the expectations of
the country "hen | urge the prompt
enactment OF legislation which VIII
provide for primary elections through
out the country at which the voters OF
tho several parties may choose their
nominees for the presidency without
tho intervention of nominating CON
ventions venture the suggestion that
this Legislation should provide for the
retention of party conventions. but
only for the purpose OF declaring and
accepting tho verdict Of tho primaries
ana formulating the platforms of the
parties; and i suggest that these con
ventions should consist not of dele
gates chosen for this single purpose,
but OF tho nominees for Congress. the
nominees for vacant seats In the SEN
ate OF the United States, the Senators
whose terms havo not yet closed the
national committees. and tho candidates
for tho presidency themselves in order
that platforms may be framed by those
responsible TO the people for carrying
them Into effect.
Other obligations.
These are all matters OF vital do
nestle concern. and besides them. out
side tho charmed circle OF our own ma
tional life IN which our affections com
-,
there stand out our obligations to-
ward our territories oversee Here
we are trustees Porto Rico, Hawaii,
the Philippines, are ours, indeed, but
not ours to do what we please with.
Such territories, once regarded as
mere possessions, are no longer to be
feliishly exploited: they are part Of
the domain OF public conscience and
of serviceablc and enlightened states
manShip. We must administer them
for the people who live In them and
With the sainc sense OF responsibility
to them ms toward our own people In
our domestic affairs. No doubt we
shall successfully enough bind Porto
Rico and the Hawaiian Islands to our
selves by ties OF Justice and interest
and affection but the performance Of
our duty toward the Philippines is n
more difficult and debatuble matter
We can satisfy the obligations of gen
erous Justice toward tho people Of
Porto Rico by giving them the ample
and familiar rights and privileges ac-
corded our own citizens I'm our own
territories and our obligations toward
the people OF Hawaii by perfectinl, the
provisions for sclf-goVcrnInent already
granted them, but in the Philippines
we must go further We must hold
steadily in view their ultimate indie
pendence. and we must move toward
the time of that independence AZ stead
lily M the way can be cleared and the
foundations thoughtfully and perma-
nently laid.
Acting under the authority conferred
upon the President by Congress-. have
already accorded the people OF the is
lands a majority in both houses of
their legislative body by appointing
five instead OF four native citizens to
the membership of the commission I
believe that In this way we shall make
proof OF their capacity in counsel and
their sense OF responsibility in the ex-
ercise of political power. and that the
success of this step Will be sure to
clear our view for the steps which are
To follow Step by step ne should ex-
tend and perfect the system OF self
government In the islands, making
test OF them and modifying them as
experience discloses their successes
and their failures; that we should
more and moro put under tho control
of the native citizens of the archipcl-
ago the essential instruments OF their
life, their local Observation-Disclosures OF
government, their schools, all the com
mon interests of their communities
and so by counsel and experience set
up a government which all the world
Will see to be suitable to people
whose affairs are under their own con
troll. NJ last, l hope and believe, we
are beginning 10 gain the confidence
OF the Filipino peoples. BY their
counsel and experience, rather than by
our own, we shall learn how best 10
serve them and how soon 1t Will DO
possible and wise to withdraw our SUI
pervision. Let us once find the path
and set out with firm and confident
tread upon II, and we shall not wan
der from II or lnger upon IT.
Duty Towards Alaska.
A duty faces us with regard to Alas
ka which seems 10 mo very pressing
and very Imperative: perhaps l should
say double duty. for IL concerns both
the political and the material develop
mcnt of the Territory. The people OF
Alaska should be given the full terri
torial form of government. and Alaska,
as storehouse should be unlocked
one key 10 1t is a system OF railways.
hospital service and It's needs than