Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-12-04

support and expand his business. We
lag behind many other great countries
OF the modern world in attempting to
do this. Systems OF rural credit have
been studied and developed on the
other side OF the water while we left
our farmers to shift for themselves In
the ordinary money market. You
have but to look about you in any
rural district to see the result, the
handicap and embarrassment which
have been put upon those who, pro-
duce our food.
Conscious OF this backwardness and
neglect on our part, the congress re-
Gently authorized the creation OF
special commission to study the vari-
GUS systems OF rural credit which
have been put into operation In Eur
ope, and this commission Is already
prepared to report. Its report ought
to make 1t easier for us to determine
what methods will be best suited to
our own farmers. l 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
Matte upon SO great and many-sided
a question. but feel confident that
common counsel will produce the re-
suits we must all desire.
Stop Private Monopoly.
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 II has yet been pre-
vented. think It will be easily agreed
that we should let the Sherman anti
trust law stand, unaltered, as It is,
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
IL fairer to all concerned. No doubt
expect, this to be the central subject
OF our deliberations during the pres
ent session; but It 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 a
later date than this. II is of capital
Importance that the business men of
this country should be relieved of all
uncertainties OF law with regard to
their enterprises and investments and
a clear path indicated which they can
travel without anxiety. II Is as i'm
| portsnt 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.
/ 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 l 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-
| ventions. / venture the suggestion
that this legislation should provide
for the retention of party conventions,
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 the 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,
| anu tue CduuludteS lot the presidency
themselves, in order that platforms
may be framed by those responsible
to the people for carrying them into
effect
Obligations to Territories.
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-
tons 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 seryiceable and enlight.
ened craftsmanship. We must admin
lister them for the people who live in
| them and with tho aama aansa NJ ra-