The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-06-13
PERIL FOR STATES.
Sensational Attack Made on Federal
Control.

Hamilton, in his most advanced pro-
posals, which were based on distrust
of the people to govern themselves,
did not dream of carrying federal
power to the point it has reached
during single administration"
Judge Edward Wingate Hatch, of
the supreme court of the state OF
New York, gave utterance to the
above and similar sentiments in a
sensational attack at Albany, ~ Y
Friday night on the extension of fed
eral power into the affairs of the
states. The address was delivered a.
Alfred university at the celebration
of its 5oth anniversary He contin-
Iued:
"And the present apparent outlook
over the entire country is not alone
an acceptance of the outpost already
reached, but of cordial approval and
la demand for more Where it will
end no man may now forsee. The
demand OF the hour seems to, be for
the interference by the federal gov
ernment in the matter of corporate
control, not alone as TO railroads, but
to other business activities as well.
Brave, indeed, will be the spirit and
steady the head of the executive who,
under the avalanche of this demand.
keeps to the line of constitutional au-
thority.
"The great danger which ever con-
fronts us as free people is that the
limitations of the enumerated powers.
|of government in the three divisions
shall overstep their bounds and one
trench upon the other; when either
does, it is ursurpation-and usurpa-
ton of power has destroyed and will
destroy liberty, if it is allowed. We
are admonished, however, that the ac-
tivities of the federal government are
not to stop at the point now reached.
For ir speaking upon this subject,
the able and accomplished secretary
of state, Mr. Root, in an evidently
we'll considered and matured speech.
which was generally accepted as voic-
ing the sentiments OF the admnistra-
tion, said that it may be that such
control could better be exercised, in
particular instances. by the govern
ment of the states, but the people
will have the control they need, either
from the states or from the national
government; and if the states fail to
furnish it in due measure. sooner or
later constructions of the constitution
will be found to vest the power where
it will be exercised by the national
government"
He then took up the post roads
proposition for federal control, re-
81 wonder what will happen if this
of the constitution will
be adopted. Take the postoffice in
New York, situated as it now is upon
Broadway; that street might be estab-
Iished as a post road and, under the
operative force of federal control, de- |
prive the state and municipality of all
control over it, and rot only that, but |
exclude therefrom, if it saw fit. all
business or travel save that of the |
mail wagon and the postman The |
voice of the law always is not what
is, but what may be. done under its
provisions.
"The problems come with such ra
pidity as to bewilder We have been
told by the governor, if he be correct
ly reported, that "the people desire a
governor who shall govern Speaking |
for myself I do not / do not want |
any man to govern me. If | yield,
he may ultimately imprison or kill
me- My desire is to be governed by |
law. and by that alone | want
governor within his prerogative to ex-
ecute the law and leave its making TO
the legislature, its Interpretation to
the judiciary, and its governing power
to the law itself"