Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-12-06

GLIDING in this term all Industrial edu-
cation, from that which fits man to
be good mechanic. good carpenter
or blacksmith to that which fits man
to do the greatest engineering feat.
The skilled mechanic, the skilled work
man, can best become snch by tech
nicai industrial education The far
reaching usefulness of institutes of
technology and schools Of mines or OF
engineering is now universally ae-
knowledged and no less far reaching
is the effect of a good building or me-
chanical trades school. textile or
matchmaking or engraving school
In every possible way we should help
the wageworker who tolls with his
hands and who must tive hope in a
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-
BILE manner
The Farmer.
The only other persons whose wei
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.
Organizat On has become necessary
in the business world, and it 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 we'll 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 adj
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 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 we'll aware Of how difficult it Is
to pass constitutional amendment.
Nevertheless, in my Judgment, the
whole question of marriage and di-
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
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. | trust that 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-
The Currency.
especially call your attention to the
second subject, the condition of our
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 ten
years there has been an increase in
circulation per capita from $21.41 to
$50. LOS. For several years evidence has
been accommodating that additional leg
islation is needed. The recurrence of
each crop season emphasizes the de-
fects of the present laws: There must
soon be a 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
fuctuation in the interest on call
money from 2 per cent to 80 per cent,
and the fuctuation 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.
do not press any especial plan. Va
rious plans have recently been pro-
posed by expert committees of bank