South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-12-04
THE PRESIDENTS POLICIES.

THE PRESIDENTS Policies.
The salient points Of pres. Wilson'S
message to congress are these:
Presidential primaries.
The wisdom OF watchfully waiting
the development OF events i'm Mexico.
International arbitration.
Banking and currency reform
Reinforcement of the Sherman
antitrust law
Full territorial government for
Alaska.
Primary rights of social justice.
Special provisions for farm credits
The president adhered 10 his prac-
tice Of personally delivering his mes
sage to congress. His uttcrances
were given the emphasis Of personal
contact The ceremony was no cold
formality which might or might not
engage the attendance and attention
OF members. The presence of the
president brought every member of
the two houses 10 the chamber and
enlisted his interest
4 was impressed upon congress that
the president is personally as well as
officially interested in the enactment
OF the legislation he recommends. He
recognized the relationship and the
mutual responsibility that exist be-
tween the executive and legislative
branches OF government and in way
forced this recognition upon congress.
Some revelations were made by the
presidents message. The principle Of
the primary was enunciated in the
recommendation for popular nomina-
tions for president and vice-president.
The principle which now prevails in
most states relative TO the nomination.
Of state. county and municipal candi-
dates and has been extended TO United
States senator's should be applied the
president thinks 10 the selection Of
candidates for the highest elective po-
sitions. thus placing them actually as
we'll as nominally within the gift Of
the people.
The president also went a step
further He would not only abolish
the national nominating conventions,
but he would establish party platform
conventions. The president believes
the platforms of the parties should be
formulated by those who if i'm office
or elected 10 Office Will ne responsible
to the people for the fulfllment of
pledges, the nominees for congress.
nominees for vacant seats i'm the
senate. senators whose terms have not
expired. the national committees and
the candidates for the presidency.
This is a radical departure from
present custom. II is likely TO meet
with the objection that the people
would be deprived OF the right TO de-
clare the principles and policies on
which their candidates shall stand for
election. but the argument would be
specious 1t is plausible but faulty.
The power now given To delegates who
assume no responsibility of execution
would be transmitted To delegates who
must assume the burden OF redeeming
all pledges made.
Another interesting development
was the revelation of the presidents
attitude toward the Sherman anti
trust law. Considerable speculation
law would receive Pres. Wilson's en-
dossement. The president made it
emphatic. He not only declared that
the Sherman law should stand. but
designated it as a great act. He urged.
however. that the debatable ground
by which the law is surrounded should
De reduced 10 the minimum by legis-
lation which Will not only clarity it
but also make II fairer 10 all con-
cerned
The other subjects treated i'm the
message were familiar in line with the
policy Of administration They in
volved the reform of the currency.
the Mexican policy and progressive
legislation suggested by the needs of
the nation. They were clearly and
impressively placed before congress
and established a clear understanding
between the executive and legislative
departments of the government and
the peODlc