Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1913-12-05

ton Of a special con mission u
studv the various systems q rural
credit which have been put into op-
GRAFTON IN Europe. and this eommis-
sion Is already prepared 70 report
lis report ought 70 make Il easier
for rs 10 determine what methods
viii be best suited TO our own farm
ers hope and believe that the
committees OF the Senate and House
will address themselves 10 this mat
ter with the most fruitful results.
and / believe that the studies and
recently formed plans Of the Depart
ment Of Agriculture may be made
20 serve them very greatly in their
work OF framing appropriate and
adequate legislation. II would be
indisereet and preSBmptuous in any
one 10 dogmatize upon so great and
many-sided a question. but feel
confident that common counsel will
produce the results We must all de-
sire.
Turn from the farm 10 the world
OF business which eenters 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 70 prevent private mon
opoly more effectually than il has
yet been prevented / think it will
be easily agreed that we should let
the Sherman antitrust law stand,
unaltered, as II is with It's debatable
ground about it, but that We should
as much as possible reduce the area
Of that debatable ground by further
and more explicit legislation; and
should also supplement that great
act by legislation which will not only
clarity il but also facilitate its ad-
ministratiOn and make it fairer 10
ali concerned. No doubt We shall
all wish. and the country will expect.
this TO be the central subject OF our
deliberations during the present
session: but il is a subject so many
sided and SO deserving OF careful
and discriminating discussion that !
shall take the liberty of addressing
you upon il in a special message at
a later date than this. II Is Of CAPT
tai importance that the business
men Of this country should be re-
heyed OF all uncertainties of Law
with regard to their enterprises and
investments and a clear path indi-
Gated which they can travel without
anxiety II IS as important that
they should be relieved OF embar-
rassment and set free to prosper as
that private monopoly should be de-
stroyed. The ways of action should
be thrown vide open.
turn to a subject which ! hope
can be handled promptly and with
out serious controversy OF any kind
! mean the method OF selecting nom
inees for the Presidency of the
United States. feel confident that
do not misinterpret the wishes OF
the expectations of the country when
I urge the prompt enactment of leg
islation which viii provide for pri-
mary elections throughout the ooun-
try at which the voters of the severn
parties may choose their nominees
for the Presidency without the in
tions / venture the suggestion that
this legislation should provide for
the retention of party conventions.
but only for the purpose of declar-
Ing and accepting the verdict of the
primaries and formulating the plat
forms of the parties; and suggest
that these conventions should con-
sist not OF delegates chosen for this
single purpose. but Of the nominees
for Congress. the nominees for va
cant seats in the Senate OF the
United States. the Senators whose
terms have not vet closed. the ma
lional committees. and the eandi-
dates for the Presidency themselves.
in order that platforms may be
framed by those responsible 10 the
people for carrying them into effect
These are al matters Of vital