The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-12-05

GLIDING in this term all industrial, ed,,
cation, from that which fits a man I,
be q go"1 mechanic. a good carpente
or blacksmith to that which fits n ma,
to do the greatest engineering feat
The skilled mechanic. the skilled work
man, can best become such By tecl,
nical industrial education. The fin,
reaching usefulness of Institutes o.
technology and schools Of mines or O,
engineering is TO- universally ac
knowledged, and no less far reachin:
Is the effect of a good building or me
chanical trades school, a textile o,
matchmaking or engraving school.
In every possible way we should hell
the wageworker who tolls with his
hands and who must 1--WE hope in Q
constantly increasing measure) also
toll with his brain. Under the constitu
ton 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,
eminent will construe this clause OF
the constitution in the broadcast posi-
bic manner
The Farmer.
The only other persons whose vel.
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 1t has &C.
complished much for good In the world
Of labor. 1t is no less necessary for
farmers. Such a movement as the
grange movement is good in itself and
is capable Of a well nigh infinite fur
Their extension for good so long as it 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
~ sociological.
Irrigation n Forest Preservation.
Much Is now being done for the
ct0toc ~ thu Don1zv mountains nrA
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 L~egislation.
I am we'll aware of how difficult it is
to pass a constitutional amendment.
Nevertheless. in my judgment, the
whole question of marriage and d.
vorce should be relegated 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 at 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 once again call the attention
Of the congress to two subjects con-
corning which l have frequently be.
fore communicated with them. One Is
the question Of developing American
shipping. l trust that Il law embody-
ing in substance the views or a major
part Of the views expressed in the re-
port on this subject laid before the
house at its last session will be passed,
1t seems to me that the proposed meas
! ure is as nearly unobjectionable as any
can be.
h Currency.
l especially call your attention to the
second subject, the condition of oul
currency laws. The national bank act
has ably served a great purpose in aid
ing the enormous business develop
ment Of the country. and within ter
years there has been an increase II
circulation per capita from $21.41 t.
$33.OS. For several years evidence ha:
been accommodating that additional leg
islation is needed. The recurrence Of
each crop season emphasizes the dc
fects Of the present laws. There mus
soon be n revision of them, because
to leave them rs they are means to in
Ill liability of business disaster. since
your body adjourned there has been
fluctuation in the interest IN cal
money from . per cent to 80 per cent
and the t%luctuation was wen create
during the preceding six months. TIN
secretary Of the treasury had to stel
in and by wise action put Il stop to tn
most violent period Of oscillation.
do not press any especial plan. Va
riOus plans have recently been pre-
posed by expert committees Of bank
ers. Among the plans which are poss
hlv feoSihln md which cartainlv ShOul