The Topeka state journal., 1913-12-03
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

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hour. for he has nothing new to say
on that subject. He defines the ad-
minietration's policy towards Mexico
an one Of watchful waiting for elimin-
alton Of Huerta, whose collapse he
thinks is not tar away. and a. one OF
hope that when his end comes "con-
stitutional order will be established In
Mexico by the concert and energy OF
such Of her leaders AZ prefer the lib
erty Of their people to their own am
bitions." Just what reasons he has
on which to base such hopes he does
not give. surely they cannot be found
ed ON past performances In Mexico.
And It IL the consensus Of opinion
among the best informed on the Mexi-
can situation and the predominant
characteristics of the Aexicana, espec-
tally their leaders. that the mere elm
ination of Huerta IL not going to solve
the Mexican problem by any means,
but this appears to be the only view
In the premises that II held by the
president.
However, there are a couple Of hum
dred words in the presidents message
that are certain to attract much at
tention and provoke much discussion.
They convey a suggestion for the re-
making Of the national party conven-
tions that IN as revolutionary as 1t IL
original az far AZ national politics IL
concerned. although it IL much the
Same In general scope an the plans on
which are now built the state conven-
tions in Kansas. President Wilson
asks congress to enact legislation
which will permit Of the nomination
Of presidential candidates at prima-
ries He suggests, though. that the
party conventions be retained, but
only for the purpose of declaring and
accepting the verdicts OF the prima-
ries and tho formulating Of platforms.
He would do away with the present
system Of having these conventions
made up OF delegates chosen merely
for this particular purpose. Instead
Of such delegates he would have the
conventions consist Of the nominees
for congress. the nominees for the va
cant seats in the senate. the senators
whose terms Of office have not yet
closed. the members Of the national
committees, and the candidates for
the presidency themselves. ''in order,
as he says, that platforms may be
framed by those responsible to the
people for carrying them into effect"
This Is a suggestion that is worthy
of the careful scrutiny and considera-
ton of all varieties Of politicians. 1t
eliminates with one fell swoop all of
the various evils that have been per-
mitted to creep into the present nation
al convention system. Under 1t. there
would be no chance for trickery in the
composition OF the conventions. The
delegates to them would hold their
credentials from the people. There
could be no going back Of the primary
returns. 1T would also appear thatthe
plan would make for a firmer party
unity. And the platforms of such
The voters would be In NO auandary as
to who to hold strictly responsible for
any failures to redeem a party's plat
form promises.
There seems to be only one flaw In
the plan. or rather one feature OF it
that would not meet one of the impor-
tant criticisms directed against the
present system Of assembling national
conventions. That concerns the repre-
sentation that is accorded to what is
familiarly called the South. The South
would be represented in q convention
of Mr.. Wilson's making on practically
the same basis that it II now repre-
sented in national conventions and
which IL out of all proportions to the
vote polled in that section. This ap-
plies more particularly to the Repub-
lican convention than to any other,
because the Republican vote In the
south 10 an excellent example of moth
ing. However. it would eliminate the
present methods Of controlling this
representation. and 1t IL this question
able control that has engendered the
criticism against the Southern repre-
sentations in the conventions. and es-
pecially in the Republican one.
Another significant feature Of the
presidents message In his call to con-
gress to devise q plan that will facilt-
tate the extension Of credit to the far
mers. This doesn't mean the extension
to the farmers of the credit Of the gov
ernment itself. The farmers do not
ask nor should they be given any such
privilege. says President Wilson.
what they need. and should obtain." !"
he insists, ''is legislation which will
make their own abundant and sub
stantial credit resources available as q
foundation for joint. concerted local
action In their own behalf in getting
the capital thsy must use.''
There 10 much else of import and
interest in the presidents pronounce
ment, and II il so briefly and clearly
stated tat there 10 no reason why ev-
cry one should not read it in its en-
a. D&~ the P1llA with
the presidential messages OF late years.
SENTENCED TO TUBERCULOSIS.
In how many prisons does SEN
tence carry with 1t q possible added
penalty of tuberculosis? This In tho
| Oh. .llen9a of thu following case which