Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-02-01

Washington Post of January "a, 1907.
The subject referred to was very ably
discussed in the speech of Senator Bev-
eridge and should be carefully consider
ed and all necessary remedies applied by
the citizens of every State. Certainly
not be permitted.
BEvERIDGE ON CHILD LABOR.
The speech delivered by Senator AL
bert j. Beverage yesterday, advocating
the enactment of law prohibiting the
transportation in interstate commerce of
and mines was a valuable and timely
contribution to a subject which demands
the attention of the American people.
The public will be shocked by Senator
Beveridges disclosure of the vast num-
Der of children employed long hours in
unhealthful and demoralizing work.
The array of facts presented by the In
diana Senator is appalling. He shows
that many of the States have been neg
lectful of an evil that is sapping the
foundation of their own virtue and
strength. In some States, indeed, it is
possible that the hideous wrongs in
fiicted upon children have been winked
at. Mr.. Beveridge points out the widely
varying legislation of the States, ex-
presses the conviction that adequate
legislation cannot be secured through
State governments for many years, if at
ALL and insists that Congress shall ap-
ply "a national remedy to nation al
evil" He holds that Congress has full
power to prohibit the interstate trans
portation of any article, being bound
only to consider the policy of such legis-
ltaion.
1t may be that the interstate commerce
clause of the Constitution can be stretch.
ed to cover the child labor evil. 1t has
fearful extent. But we do not believe
that the country will support the bill or
that Congress will submit such law to
the test of constitutionality. The evils
of child labor are great, but they are
great largely because of the fact that
public attention has not been sharply
attracted to them. Full acquaintance
with the enormity of the iniquity will
accomplish more toward abating it than
the enactment of law which, even if
constitutional, would be costly and diff
ficult of enforcement. Nowhere in the
world is childhood loved and cherished
more than in the United States. The
people need only to be made aware of
the injustice done to children in order to
do away with it. Public opinion is Pc
culiarly powerful in all that relates to
the family and to children. No CONNER
cial influence in any State could hope to
sway a legislature that had been
charged by the people with regulating
the employment of children in factories
and mines.
The House has just passed an act pro.
viding for an Investigation of the indus
trial, social, moral. educational and ply
steal conditions of women and children
employed in shops, factories and mines.
The Senate should concur promptly in
this legislation. The publication of the
facts elected by such an inquiry will be
widespread and most effective in arous-
ing public resentment against existing
abuses. Remedial legislation may be
expected to follow in all States affected,
based upon the local conditions. This
we believe is the proper method of
dealing with THE question. Senator
Beverage has performed great public
service in marshaling the facts which
prove the urgent necessity of making a
prompt and accurate investigation of tn {
whole subject.