The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-04

character of the Individual citizen.
But many Of these evils are of such a
nature that no private effort can avail
against them. These evils, therefore.
must be grappled with by governmental
action: In some cases this governments
al action must be exercised by the sew
eral states individually. In yet others
it has become increasingly evident that
no efficient state action is possible, and
that we need thru executive action, thru
legislation, and thru judicial interpreted
tion and construction of law, to in
crease the power Of the federal govern.
ment,
.@ Power Of Lawyers.
.se.S3t.ssIf we fail thus to increase it. we
show our impotence and leave ourselves
at the mercYsof those ingenious legal
advisers Of the holders Of vast corpor-
ate wealth, who, in the performance Of
what they regard as their duty, and to
serve the ends Of their clients, invoke
ing OF their rivals, and at another time
strive for the notification of the law,
IN order that they themselves may be
left. free to work their unbridled will
on" these same rivals, or on those who
labor for them, or on the general pub
lie. In the exercise Of their profession
and in the service of their clients these
"o'uto. ray yelo .sCilve. 10 pIeVenI 8In0
passage of efficient laws and strive to
secure judicial determinations of those
that pass which shall emasculate them.
They do not invoke the constitution in
order to compel the; due observance Of
law alike by rich and poor, by great
and small; on the contrary, they are
ceaselessly on the watch to cry out that
the constitution is violated whenever
any effort is made to invoke the aid
, Of the national government, whether for
the efficient regulation Of railroads, for
the efficient supervision of great cor
porations, or for efficiently securing
obedience to such law as the national
elght-hour law. and similar so-called
labor statutes 49, -
"The doctrine they preach would make
the constitution merely the shield Of
incompetence and the excuse for gov
ernmental paralysis; they treat it as a
justification for refusing to attempt
the remedy of evil, instead. Of as the
source of vital power necessary for the
existence Of a mighty and ever-grow-
ing nation. s
Must Rely on States.
Strong nationalist tho I am, and
| firm tho my belief is that there must be
| a wide extension Of the power of the ma
tional government to deal with guess
! tions of this kind, freely admit that
| as regards many matters Of first rate
Importance we must rely purely upon
the states for the betterment Of pres
emit conditions. The several states
| must do their duty or our citizenship
can never be put on proper plane.
| Therefore [ most heartily congratulate
| the people of the state of Pennsylya-
MIA on what its legislature, upon what
its government, has accomplished DUR
ing this present year. It is remark
! able record Of achievement
uLet me, however, most earnestly
urge that your legislature continue this
record of public service by enacting
| one or two additional laws. One subject
which every good citizen should have
at heart above almost all others ID
the matter Of child labor. EVERYWHERE
the great growth Of modern in dustrial-
ism has been accompanied by abuses in
connection with the employment of la
Dor which have necessitated completes
change in the attitude Of the state
toward labor
This is above all true in connection
with the employment of child labor. In
Pennsylvania you have made begin
ming, but only beginning, in proper
i legislation and administration on this
1 subject; the law must, if necessary be
strengthened, and it must be vigorously
reinforced. The national government
can do but little in the matter Of child
labor, tho I earnestly hope that that
little will be permitted to be done by
congress The great bulk Of f the work.
however, must he left to the state leg-
j islatures: and il cur state legisla tnres
would act as drastically and vet az
/ wisely on this subject. Of child labor az
Il Pennsylvania has acted Within tbs
4 present year as regards the subjects [
have enumerated above, the gain would
be literally incalculable;; and one Of
the most vital needs of modern Amer
lean life would at las: be adequately
met. s. & -
Should Be. Ne Ieophole.-
so much for the state. sNowsfor the
nation; and here ! caH not do better
; than base my theory of governmental