Evening journal., 1906-12-04


hands and who must 1--WE hope In a
constantly Increasing measured also
toll with his brain. Under the constitu-
tion the national legislature can do but
little OF direct Importance for his wei
fare save where he Is engaged in work
which permits It to act under the in
terstate commerce clause Of the consti-
tuition. and this is one reason why
so earnestly hope that both the legis-
lative and judicial branches OF the gov
ernment will construe this clause Of
the constitution in the broadest possl-
BILE manner.
The Farmer.
The only other persons whose well
fare Is as vital to the welfare OF the
whole country as IS the welfare OF the
wageworkers are the tillers OF the soil.
the farmers
Several factors must cooperate in
the improvement OF the farmers CON
dition. He must have the chance to
be educated in the widest possible
sense. in the sense which keeps ever In
view the intimate relationship between
the theory Of education and the facts
OF life.
Organization has become necessary
in the business world, and II has ac-
complished much for good in the world
Of labor 1t is no less necessary for
farmers Such movement as the
grange movement is good in itself and
is capable Of a well nigh Infinite fur
ther extension for good SO long as II is
kept to its own legitimate business.
The benefits to be derived by the as
sociation Of farmers for mutual ad-
vantage are partly economic and part
" 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 national 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 II Is
TO pnsssa constitutional amendment
Nevertheless, IN my Judgment the
whole question OF marriage aud d.
vorce should be relegated 10 the au
thority Of the national congress. The
change would be good from every
standpoint In particular II would bC
good because it would confer on the
congress the power at once to deal
radically and efficiently with polygamy
and this should be done whether ol
not marriage and divorce are deali
with. 1t is neither safe nor proper Il
leave the questlonrof polygamy to bs
dealt with by the several states.
Merchant Marine.
Let me once again call the attention
of the congress TO two subjects con
cerning which I have frequently be
/ fore communicated with them. One 4
the question Of developing American
shipping. / trust that q lazy embody
ing in substance the views OF a majo
part OF the views expressed in the re
port on this subject laid before thl
house at it's last session will be passed
1t seems to me that the proposed meas
ure is as nearly unobjectionable as an.
can be.
The Currency.
L especially call your attention to tn
second subject the condition OF on
currency laws. The national bank ac
has ably served a great purpose In aid
ing the enormous business develop
ment Of the country, and within tel
years there has been an increase Il
circulation per capita from S21s41 Il
S33.os. For several years evidence ha
been accumulating that additional leg
islatlon Is needed. The recurrence o
each crop season emphasizes the de
fects of the present laws. There mus
soon he revision Of them, becaus
to leave them as they are means to'in
cur liability OF business disaster. Sine
your body adjourned there has been
ductuahon in the interest on cal
money from 2 per cent 70 80 per cent
and the fuctuatlon was even create
during the preceding six months. Tn
secretary Of the treasury had to stel
in and by wise action put a stop TO th,
most violent period OF oscillation.
do not press any especial plan. va
Fious plans have recently been pro
posed by expert committees Of bank
ers. Among the plans which are posi-
bly, feasible and which certainly shoull
receive your consideration Is that re
peatedly brought TO your attention b.
the present secretary OF the treasury
the essential features of which hav
been approved by many prominen
bankers and business men. .Accordini
TO this plan, national banks should b
permitted to issue a. specified proper
ton Of their capital In notes Of a give
kind. the issue to be taxed at so big
a rate as TO drive the notes back whel
not wanted in legitimate trade. Thl
plan would not permit the issue o
currency to give banks additional prof
its, but TO meet the. emergency present
ed by times Of stringency.
do not say that this Is the right sys
TEN. 1 only advance It TO emphasiz
my belief that there Is need for th
adoption Of some system which shal
be automatic and open TO all soun'
banks so as to avoid all possibility o
discrimination and favoritism.
The law should be amended so a
specifically to provide that the fund
derived from customs duties may b
treated by the secretary OF the treas
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