The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-12-04


BILE reduce the area OF that debatable
ground by further aud 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
it fairer to all concerned. No doubt
we shall all wish, and the country viii
expect, this to be the central subject
of our deliberations during the pres
emit session; but 1t Is subject &c
'many-sided and SO deserving Of care
full and discriminating discussion that
I shall take the liberty Of addressing
yod upon 1t In special message at q
later date than this. II is of capita
importance that the business men oil
this country should be relieved Of all
uncertainties of law with regard to
their enterprises and investments and
q clear path Indicated which they can
travel without anxiety. II 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
action should be thrown wide open.
/ turn to a subject which | hope
can be handled promptly and with
out serious controversy OF any kind
I mean the method OF selecting nomi'
nees for the presidency Of the United
States. feel confident that
do not misinterpret the wishes
or the expectations Of the
country when | urge the prompt
enactment Of legislation which will
provide for primary elections through
out the country at which the voters OF
the several parties may choose their
nominees for the presidency without
the intervention of nominating con
Sentions. I, venture the suggestion
that this legislation should provide
for the retention of party conventions
but only for the purpose Of declaring
and accepting the verdict OF the pri'
maries and formulating the platforms
of the parties: and l suggest that
these conventions should consist not
of delegates chosen for this single pur.
pose. but OF the nominees for con
gress, the nominees for vacant seats
in the senate Of the United States. the
senators 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
the people for carrying them into ef'
feet
Independence for Philippines.
These are all matters Of vital do
nestle concern, and besides them. out
side the charmed circle OF our own
national life in which our affections
command us. as well as our con
sciences, there stand out our obliga-
lions toward our territories over sea.
Here we are trustees. Porto Rico
Hawaii, the Philippines. are ours. once
regarded as mere possessions. are no
longer to be selfishly exploited; they
are part of the domain OF public con-
science and Of serviceable and enlight'
ened craftsmanship. We must admin
lister them for the people who live in
them and with the same sense Of re-
sponsibility to them as toward our
own people in our domestic affairs. No
doubt we shall successfully enough
bind Porto Rico and the Hawaiian is
lands to ourselves by ties of justice
and affection, but the performance OF
our duty toward the Philippines is a
more difficult and debatable matter
We can satisfy the obligations Of gen
erous justice toward the people OF
Porto Rico by giving them the ample
and familiar rights and privileges &C
corded our own citizens in our own
territory and our obligations toward
the people OF Hawaii by perfecting the
provisions of self-government already
granted them, but in the Philippines
we must 60 further. We must hold
steadily in view their ultimate indie
pendence. and we must move toward
the time Of that independence as
steadily as the way can be clea- ed and
the foundations thoughtfully and per
manently laid.
Test Of Responsibility.
Acting under the authority con
ferred upon the president by congress
have already accorded the people Of
the islands majority in both houses
OF their legislative body by appointing
Ave instead OF four native citizens tc
the membership OF the commission.
believe that in this way we shall
make proof Of their capacity in coun
sci and their sense OF the responsible
ity in the exercise 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 steT
we should extend and perfect the sys
tenn OF self-government in the islands
making test of them and modifying
them as experience discloses theil
successes and their failures: that ".
should more and more put under the
control OF the native citizens Of the
archipelago the essential instruments
Of their life, their local Instrumental
ties Of government. their schools, all
the common interests OF their commu
mites, and so by counsel and expert
ence set up a government which al
the world will see to be suitable to a
people, whose affairs are under theil
own control. At last, hope and be
lieye, we are beginning to gain the
confidence OF the Filipino peoples. B,
their counsel and experience. rather