Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1913-12-04

have been put Into operation In Eur
ope, and this commission Is already
prepared 10 report Its report ought
TO make II easier for us to determine
what methods viii be best suited to
our own farmers. I hope and believe
that the committees of the senate and
house will address themselves to this
matter with the most fruitful results,
and believe that the studies and re-
Gently formed plans of the depart
ment OF agriculture may be made to
serve them very greatly In their work
OF framing appropriate and adequate
legislation. II would be indiscreet
and presumptuous In anyone to dog
matize upon so great and many-sided
question. but feel confident that
common counsel will produce the re-
suits we must all desire.
Let Sherman Law Stand.
Turn from the farm to the world Of
business which centers In the city and
in the factory, and think that all
thoughtful observers will agree that
the immediate service we owe the
business communities of the country
is to prevent private monopoly more
effectually than 1t has yet been pre-
vented. | think II will be easily agreed
that we should let the Sherman anti
trust law stand, unaltered, as II Is,
with its debatable ground about II.
but that we should as much as posi-
BILE reduce the area of that debatable
ground by further and more explicit
legislation; and should also supple
ment that great act by legislation
which will not only clarity 1t but also
facilitate its administration and make
1t fairer to all concerned. No doubt
we shall all wish, and the country Will
expect, this to be the central subject
of our deliberations during the pres
ent session; but 1t is a subject SO
many-sided and so deserving OF care
full and discriminating discussion that
| shall take the liberty of addressing
you upon II in a special message at
later date than this. II is of capital
Importance that the business men or
this country should be relieved of all
of law with regard to
their enterprises and investments and
a clear path indicated which they can
travel without anxiety. 1t is as I'm
portant that they should be relieved
Of embarrassment and set free to
prosper as that private monopoly
should be destroyed. The ways OF
sction should be thrown wide open.
/ turn to a subject which hope
ian be handled promptly and with
tut serious controversy Of any kind.
mean the method of selecting nomi-
lees for the presidency Of the United
States. I feel confident that
10 not misinterpret the wishes
II the expectations Of the
country when / urge the prompt
Enactment Of legislation which win
provide for primary elections through
,ut the country at which the voters of
he several parties may choose their
for the presidency without
the Intervention Of nominating con-
Ventions. ! venture the suggestion
hat this legislation should provide
'or the retention of party conventions.
but only for the purpose of declaring
Ind accepting the verdict Of the pri-
naries and formulating the platforms
If the parties; and suggest that
.hese conventions should consist not
If delegates chosen for this single pur-
pose, but of the nominees for con-
sress, the nominees for vacant seats
n the senate of the United States, the
whose terms have not yet
closed, the national committees,
and the candidates for the presidency
themselves, in order that platforms
may be framed by those responsible to
he people for carrying them into ef-
'ect.
Independence for Philippines.
These are all matters of vital do
nestle concern, and besides them, out
tide the charmed circle of our own
life in which our affections
command US, as well as our con-
sciences, there stand out our obliga-
lOno o0WaAu Oul wv oC0s
Here we are trustees. Porto Rico.
Hawaii, the Philippines, are ours. once
'egarded as mere possessions. are no
onger to be selishly exploited; they
ire part of the domain Of public con-
cience and OF serviceable and enlight-
med craftsmanship. We must admin
ster them for the people who live In
hem and with the same sense OF re-
to them as toward our
,wn people in our domestic affairs. No
loubt we shall successfully enough
lind Porto Rico and the Hawaiian Is
ands to ourselves by ties OF justice
md affection. but the performance of
,ur duty toward the Philippines is a
more difficult and debatable matter.
We can satisfy the obligations Of gen.
,rous justice toward the people of
Porto Rico by giving them the ample
md familiar rights and privileges ac-
corded our own citizens In our own
erritory and our obligations toward
he people OF Hawaii by perfecting the
PROVISIONS OF self-govemment already
- - l.