The daily sentinel., 1913-12-22
keating Discusses Message and
lis Effect Upon the Entire
People.
(By EDWARD KEATING)

Congressman at Large from Colorado.
Washington, ID. c., Dec. Coon
gress and the country have had an
opportunity to read and digest Pres
ident Woodrow Wilson's first mes
sage to a regular session of the ma
tional legislature. l do not think
there will be any serious difference
OF opinion among "forward-looking
men"-to use one of the presidents
fayorite expressions to the place
1t should occupy among American
state papers. jefferson. alone. of all
cur presidents, was Woodrow Will
sens intellectual peer and only the
father of democracy could so accur-
ately guage and so happily phrase
the hopes and aspirations of the peo-
| pie of this nation.
Wilson is peculiarly the tribune
the mouthpiece-of the American
people. He dominates congress be-
cause congress knows he is advocat-
| ing the things the voters want, and
this congress has no desire to butt
| its head againstn the stone wall of
popular disapproval. So, one need
not be prophet, nor the son of
prophet. to forecast the complete tri-
umph of the Wilson program. Every
measure suggested by the president
!
books before the second session of the
card congress adjourns
Wilson has the power so indispen-
sable to leadership where great is
sues are involved, of filling his fol-
| lowers with an unwavering conf
dence in his ability and courage. "Af-
ter hearing that message, feel as
though / could fight my weight in
wild cats-especially republican wild
cats" was the way conressman
from Arkansas put 1t. "Why, SIR"
he continued brimming over with
| southern enthusiasm, that is not
only patriotic program but it is a
sure enough winner from a political
point of view If Wilson keeps up
his gait; there won't be any opposi-
tion. Vermont will be as democratic
as Alabama"
OF course, my friend from Arkan-
sas was "a wee bit wrought up, but
men who make a specially of observ-
ing the trend of political events are
agreed that the president is smash
ing party lines in most amazing
fashion.
Presidential Primaries.
The one great big surprise in the
presidents message was his clean-cut
declaration in favor of presidential
primaries. The politicians did not
| like it, there has never been a time
in the history of this country when
the politicians desires were given SO
little serious consideration.
The people are Just as anxious to
be permitted to name their presidents
as they were to name and elect their
United States senators. They won
the latter struggle after fight ex-
al in p n nm pttn nf ont nv
hut with Wilson's help the presiden-
tial primaries contest will be short
and decisive.
The passing of the old convention
system will be regretted by many 1t
was blood-stirring and hair-lifting,
i and for those who liked the strenu-
Gus life it was most satisfying. But
as AN instrument for registering the
population it was far from perfect.
Il No one seriously contends that
Taft was the choice of the republi-
cans of this country, but he carried
the Chicago convention. The Balti-
more convention was controlled by
Charley" Murphy and TON" Tag
cart and Roger Sullivan up to the
moment that Bryan made his spectac-
ular appeal to "the men in the corn
fields II that appeal had not been
made and II 1.-The men in the corn
4 fields" Of the west and south had not
responded, Woodrow Wilson would
rot be in the white house now.
/ Hereafter we will not be compelled
to appeal from the Murphys, the Tag
CARTS and the Suliivans to the court
of last resort-.'the men in the corn
fields. Under the presidential pri-
mary the people win put the bosses
cut of business and select the presi-
dental candidate who suits them.
without regard to his standing with
Tammany hall or other organizations
Of that type.
Rural Credits.
The applause WHICH greeted Presi-
dent Wilson's declaration in favor of
a system of rural credits which would
place the farmer on an equal footing
with his city cousin when he found
i,it necessary to b0rrow money cfaarly