Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-06

VI iupoi' IL ~ no less ucCcoSaiy iOI
farmers. Such movement as the
grange movement is good in itself and
is capable of Well nigh infinite fur
ther extensloa FOR. gbcd so long as 1t Is
kept to its own Legitimate business.
The benefits to be derived by the as
ISOLATION Of farmers for mutual ad-
vantage are partly economic and part
ly sociological. ..
Irrigation and Forest Preservation.
Much Is now being done for the
states of the Rocky mountains and
great plains through the development
Of the naticnal policy of irrigation and
forest preservation. No government
policy for the betterment Of our inter-
nal conditions has been more fruitful
Of good than this.
Divorce Legislation.
am well aware Of how difficult it Is
to pass q constitutional amendment.
Nevertheless, in my Judgment. the
whole question of marriage and di-
vorce should be relcgated to the au-
thority of the national congress. The
change would be good from every
standpoint. In particular it would be
good because it would confer on the
congress the power Mt once to deal
radically and efficiently with pOlygamy.
and this should be done whether or
not marriage and divorce are dealt
with. 1t is neither safe nor proper to
leave the question of polygamy to be
dealt with by the several states.
Merchant Marine.
Let me orcc again call the attention
of the congress to two subjects con
corning which have frequently be-
fore communicated with them. One is
the question of developing American
shipping. | trust that a law embody-
ing in substance the views or a majo
part of the views expressed in the re-
port on this subject laid before the
house at It's last session will be passed
1t seems 70 me that the proposed meas
IRE is as nearly unohiectonable as any
can be.
IT," Currency.
especially call your attention to the
second subject, the condition of our
currency laws. Tho national bank act
has ably served grcIt purpose In aid
ing the enormous business develop
ment OF the country. and within ten
years there has been IN increase in
circulation per capita from $2l.41 to
S333,US. For several years evidence has
boon accommodating that additional leg
islati)I is needed. Tho recurrence Of
each crop "casOn emphasizes the de-
fccts Of the present laws. There must
soon be revision of them. because
to leave them as they are means to in
cur liability Of business disaster. Since
your body adjourned there has been n
tluctGation in the interest on call
money from per c2"t to 30 per cent,
and the tuctuation was even greater
during the preceding six months. The
secretary of the treasury had to step
in and by wise action put stop to the
most violent period of oscillation.
I do not press any especial plan. Va
rious plans have recently been pro
posed by expert committees Of bank
crs. Among the plans which are posi-
bly, feasible AMI which certainly should
receive y0ur consideration is that re-
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the essential Textures of which have
been approved hy many prominent
bankers and business men. According
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t;o, 90 ,hoir oont+,l l., ,,tos % = cri,.or
kind. the issue to he faxed at so HIGH
a rate as TO drive the notes back when
not wanted in legitimate trade. This
plan would not permit the issue of
currency TO rive banks additional prof.
its. bnt TO meet the emergency present
cd lv times Of s,rlngcncy.
| 20 not say that this is the right sys-
ten. | only advance it to emphasize
nv belief that there is need for the
adoptlon of some system which shall
bo automatic and omen to all sound
banks so MS to avoid all possibility OF
discrimination and favoritism.
The law should be amended so as
specifically to provide that the funds
derived from customs duties may he
treated by the secretary Of the treas
tfy AS he treats funds OBTAINED under
tne internal revenue laws. Iner
should be considerable Increase IN
bills OF small denominations. fermis
sion should be given banks, II necessa
~ under settled restrictions, TO retire