The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-09-10

without a general government. The
interests of the different parts of tie
country are so varied, and the matters
requiring legislative attention SO nu-
meToUs, that il would be impossible to
have all of the work done at the ma
tiOnal capital. One has only to exam
inc the bills introduced dt each con-
gress, and then add to the mum Der
the bills introduced at the legislative
sessions OF each of the fOTty-six
states, to realize that it would be be-
yOnd the power of any body of men to
legiSlate intelligently on the multrLude
of questions that require COasideTa-
ton.
Not only would national legislators
lack the time necessary for investiEa-
ton, and therefore lack he infOTma-
ton necessary to wise decision but
the Indifference of representatives in
one part of the country To local mat
tiers in other parts of he country
would invite the abuse of power
Then too. the seat of government
would De so far from the great ma
Jority of the voters a. to prevent that
scrutiny of public conduct which is
essential to clean and honest govern
ment. The union of the separate
states under federal government of
fers the only plan that can adapt itself
10 iHuSlHlLN eGle0SiOH.
State Powers.
Our constitution expressly reserves
to the states and TO the people re-
spectively all powers not delegated to
the federal government, and only by
respecting this division of powers can
we hope to keep the government with
in the reach of the people and respon-
sive to the will of the people Be
cause in all disputes as to the relative
spheres of the nation and the states
the final decision rests with the fed
eraI courts. the tendency is naturally
toward Capitalization. and greater
care is required to preserve the re-
served rights of the states than to
maintain the authority of the federal
government
In recent years another force has
been eXeTting an increasing influence
in extending the authority of the cen
trail government ] refer TO the great
corporations. They prefer the federal
courts to the state courts. and employ
every possible device TO drag Iitigants
before United States judges. They
also prefer congressional regulation to
state regulation, and those interested
in large corporations have for years
been seeking federal Incorporation
The democratic party will resist every
attempt to ObliteTate state lines
whether the attempt is made through
legislation or through judicial intprDre- /
tation- Amendment of the organic |
law by judicial Interpretation would
be destructive of constitutional gov
eminent; our constitution can be F.!
amended by the people in accordance /
with the terms of the document il /
self, and no group of men. however /
honorable or high minded. can usurp /
this power without violating the fun !
damental principles of our govern !
ment
Non-use of State Rights.
II has been suggested that the
rights of the states can Lapse through I
non-use, and that congress is justified :
in usuTptng the authority of the state
II the state fails to make proper use I.
OF IL While this doctrine has been
advanced in the pretended interest of /
the people, it is as insidious and as
dangerous an assault as has ever .
been made on our constitutional form 1
OF government The people of the 1
state can act with more promptness
than the people of the nation. and if /.
they fail TO act, it must be assumed (
that the people of the state prefer in I
action.
The real purpose that hose have
IN view who complain of the inaction I
Of the state, is not more strict regu- 7
latiOn of corporations. bIt the relief ]
of the corporations from state reguIa- 4
tin
The democratic party favors the full /
exercise of the powers OF the govern {
ment for the protection of the rights .
or the people-eacb government to act .
within its constitutional sphere Our
platform demands that federal IeEis- /
lation be added to, not substituted for.
state legislation.
The democratic party fayOT~ the full .
exercise of the powers of the govern J
ment for the protection OF the rights f.
OF the Deople-each government 10 .
act within its constitutional sphere /
Our platform demands that federal /
legislation be added TO. not substituted
for. state legislation /
The predatory corporations have
taken advantage of the dual character
OF our government and have tried TO 4
hide behind the interstate commerce
clause of the constitution when prose
cuted in the state courts
No Twilight Zone.
There is no twilight zone between
the nation and the state IN which the
exploiting interests can take refuge
from both There is no neutral !
ground where, beyond the Jurisdiction
OF either sovereignty. the plundeTeT5
of the public can find a safe retreat.
As long as q corporation confines ftS
activities to the state in which IL was
created IL is subject to state TegGla-
ton only; but as soon as II invades
interstate commerce IL becomes
zmelable to federal laws aS well as