New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-01
"SUFFS" HISS AT
WILSON REBUFF
Continued from page l

leader of party, ] feel obliged to
take, and | am sure that you Will not
wish me to state IT again.
perhaps it would be more service
able if ! vcntured upon the confident
conjecture that the Baltimore conven-
ton did net embody this very impOr-
tant question in the platform it adont-
ed because Of its conviction that the
principles OF the Constitution which
allotted these questions 10 the states
were well considered principles from
which they did not wish TO depart.
Purely a State Issue.
'You have asked me to state my per-
sonal position with regard to the pend
ing measure. 1t is my conviction that
this is a matter for settlement by the
states and not by the federal govern
ment. Therefore, that being my per-
sonai conviction and it being obvious
that there is no ground on your part
for Encouragement in the progress you
ire making, and my passion being for
local government and the deter
mnation by the great communities IN
to which this nation is organized OF
their own policy and life, ] can only
say that since you turned away from
RE as ID leader of a party and asked me
ray position as a man, ] am obliged to
state /; very frankly, and ] believe that
in stating it | am probably in agree
ment with those who framed the plat
form to which allusiOn has been made.
81 think that very few persons, per
haps, realize the difficulty of the dual
duty that must be exercised, whether
he will or not, by President of the
tat 10 Of
United States as an executive charged
with the administration of the law,
but he is the choice of a party as a
leader in policy. The policy is deter
mined by the party, or else, under un-
usual and new circumstances, by the
determination of those who lead the
party. This is my situation as an in
dvidual. | have told you that ] be-
lieved that the best way of settling
this thing and the best considered prin-
ciples of the Constitution with regard
to il is that it should be settled by the
states. / am very much obliged 20
YOU"
The President Heckled.
as it not fact that we have very
good presidents for altering the cleo
torate by the Constitution of the
United States ?" asked Mrs. Dorr.
81 do rot think that that has any
thing to do with my conviction as TO
the best way that it can be done"
Mrs. Wiley asked, if it were state
matter, would it not give the move
ment an impetus if the resolution
pending before Congress were passed"
But that resolution is for an
amendment to the Constitution, said
the President.
"The states would have TO pass upon
il before it became an amendment.
Would it not be state matter, then 2!
persisted Mrs. Wiley.
ayes, but by very different process,
for bv that process it would be forced
upon the minority; they would have to
accept it."
"rhey could reject it if they wished
to: three-fourths of the states would
have to pass it," interrupted Mrs. Dorr.
ayes. but the other fourth could not
reject it," said the President.
"Mr. President, don't you think that
when the Constitution was made IL
was agreed that when three-fourths or
the states wanted a reform that the
other fourth would receive 1t also
persisted Mrs. Dorr
81 cannot say what was agreed upon.
I can only say that | have tired TO an
swer YOUR question. and do not think
il is quite proper that | submit myself
to ross-eXamination, continued the
President.