Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-01


Quito recently our system Of government
was changed by providing for the popular
election OF United States Senators. 1t was
long step in a wrong direction. But
what gives warning is tho fact that it was
done without anybody stopping TO consider
Tho significance or consequences of the
change. Therefore, my inclination was to
regard measures from the point of view OF
their propriety and utility and to give little
heed to the interested or irresponsible com
ment which might follow.
Opposition to Roosevelt
There were two subjects that gave me
cause for anxiety. Having never been
tested In serious executive work, felt un.
certain as to how should act in tho event
of an extended labor strike. Mentally l
proceeded no further than TO determine to
go 10 tho locality and gather the facts for
myself I had also some dread of n COLI
sion with Roosevelt, should he attempt to
come into the state, as he had done before,
movement which It was my intention TO
prevent. 1t was ono further step in tho
direction OF IA development, that has stead.
lily taken place for many years of the
destruction OF the authority OF the States
and the concentration Of all power In
Washington. This tendency means that
in the ond, after the National Government
has become topheavy, somc man with tho
impulses and lack of self-straint OF
Roosevelt will stay thcro continuously. no
me the situation seemed to he propitous
1t is very doubtful whether the like of it
had ever occurred In an American State
before. man had been chosen FOR Gov
ernor whose associations with the State
took him back TO the settlement, whose
studies had made him familiar with the
growth Of It's institutions, whose training
have prepared him for carcfulness in dclib.
Grafton and circumspcction in action. and
whose habits had been such as fairly 70
insure propriety of conduct. Moreover, he
had been elected without seeking the office,
without having paid any money TO secure
IL ana without having been tied up with
promises and obligations which might in.
torfere with the performance of his duties.
He came to the office, therefore, with no
DIHtI puipOSe 10 e0nt;tNOT HuNante
the interests of tho state. Tho situation
was emphasized by tho fact that contem-
poraneously Massachusetts chose Gov
ernor, William j.. Douglas, who put his /
lace, as an advertisement for the salc of /,
shoes, in every available place in the coun. T,
ny ana whose purpose in securing the .
)fflcc appeared to be TO use his influence in /
owering the duties on hides; and that New .
York Il few years later elected as Governor
William Sulzer, an uncleanly outcome of |
he slums. who had to be removed by i'm
'eachment. There are two essentials, how.
,ver TO full harvest: good seed and favor
lble conditions. No poet ever arises until
here is sufficient literary development
lbout him to appreciate what he writes.
fembrandt paints no portraits until the
ime comes when there is a desire for the
Of art. No Vanderbilt constructs
/ fortune on the Island of Juan Fernandez,
10 statesman ever appears among Ills pco.
dc until they are ready to do their part in
giving him recognition. When the stress
omes the arms of Joshua have to be SUP.
ported. Quay had earnestly tried TO do a
errice for Pennsylvania. Little esteem
lid he win by the effort. The difference
'etween his reputation and that OF Clay
ver the country and abroad consists in
he fact that Kentucky stood firmly behind
'!ay, with all OF his faults, and that Penn.
ylvania. so far as expression went, failed
o to stand behind Quay with all his merits.
Executive Program
Having thought carefully over the policy
Which ought to be pursued in order In
ecure the public benefit, in my inaugural
ddress / announced definitely these prop
sitions:
/