Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-12-04

our own farmers. L nope ana DeleVe
that the committees of the senate and
house will address themselves to this
matter with the most fruitful results,
and I 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. It would be indiscreet
and presumptuous in anyone to dog
Matte upon so great and many-sided
a question, but I 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 l 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 thar it 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,
with its debatable ground about 1t,
but that we should as much as posi-
bic 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 il but also
facilitate its administration and make
it fairer to all concerned. No doubt
we shall all wish, and the country will
expect. this to be thes 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
later date than this. 1t 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. 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
action should be thrown wide open.
turn to a subject which l 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. I feel confident that
do not misinterpret the wishes
or the expectations of the
country when I 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,
but only for the purpose of declaring
and accepting the verdict of the pri-
maries and formulating the platforms
of the parties: and | suggest that
these conventions should consist not
of delegates chosen for this single pur-
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 eff
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 we'll as our con-
sciences, there stand out our obliga-
tions 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 seIfishly exploited; they
are part of the domain of public con-
science and of serviceable and enlight-
ened atesmanship. We must admir-
lister them for the people who live IN
them and with the same sense of r5-
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 government already
granted them, but in the Philippines
we must go 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 ID and
the foundations thoughtfully and per-
manently laid.
Test of possibility.
Acting under the authority con-
ferred upon the president by congress,
1 have already accorded the people of
the islands a majority in both houses
of their legislative body by appointing
five instead of four native citizens to
the membership of the commission. l
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 step
we should extend and perfect the sys-
tenn of self-goyernment in the islands,
making test of them and modifying