The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-16

President Roosevelt fcr the opportunity which he has given me to participate in this meeting.
 of a new era, during which increasing attention will be given to the far reaching problems involved in the con- servation of the nations resources. The epoch making speech with which the Chief Executive opened the first ses- sion must exert a powerful influence upon the country at large. as It has upon those who were fortunate enough to hear him.
 The assemblage of the Governors of ntsriy all the forty-six States Is in itself an historic event of the first mag nitude for this meeting and the fu- ture meetings which this one will fla cilitate cooperation between the States. make easier the doing of those things which should be done by the National Government. and stimulate the several States to act more speedily and with better information upon the things which should be done by the States independently.
 There has been some difference of opinion as to the relative sph eres or the nation and the State. but such dis cussions as we have had here will help to define these spheres and to harmon ize conflicting opinions
 T am a strict constructionfst, IT tnat means to believe that the Federal Gov ernment is one of delegated powers and that constitutional limitations should be carefully observed. l am jealous of an encroachment upon the rights of the State, believing that the States are as indestructibie as the Union is indissoluble; as believe mat 1t is just as imperative that the Gem eral Government shall discharge the duties delegated to it, as 1t is that the States shall exercise the powers re- served to them.
 Nntion and states.
 Tn ere Is no twilight zone between the nation and the State. in which ex- plotting interests can take refuge from both. and my observation Is that most mot all. but most-of the contentious over the line tbetween nation and State are traceable to predatory corporations which are trying to shield themselves from deserved punishment, or endeav- bring to prevent needed restraining legislation.
 ''The first point which I desire to make is that earnest men. with an un- selfish purpose, will be able to agree upon legislation which will not only preserve for the future the inheritance which we have received from bounti- full Providence. but preserve 1t in such a way as to avoid the dangers of cen tralization. Nothing that Is necessary is impossible; and 1t would be a re- flection upon the intelligence as we'll as upon the patriotism of our people, to doubt the value of gath erings of this kind.
 "The time allowed to each speaker is SO short that instead of attempting to discuss the various questions presented, I shall content myself with few sug- gestions in line with the very able papers that have been presented. begin with the proposition that it should be our purpose not only to preserve the nations resources for fu- ture generations by reducing waste to a minimum. but that we should see to it that few people do not monopolize that which Is in equity the property of all the people.
 The earth belongs to each genera tion, and it is as criminal to .fetter future generations with perpetual fran chises. making the multitude servants to a favored faction of the population, as 1t would be to unnecessarily impair the common store. am glad that Secretary Garfield emphasized this point. It Is one that must always be kept in mind by the nation and by the several States.
 The first national asset is to be found In the life of the people," and Mr. Mitchell very properly pointed out the importance of safeguarding life. the limbs and the health of those who are engaged in converting the nations natural rerourees into material wealth. would go a step farther and say that we can well afford to include In the | appropriations made by Congress { a sum sufficient to carry on necessary | Investigations into the cause of dis eases national in their scope and to | stimulate the search for remedies which would add to the life. health and use l fulness of the whole population. stafistics Surprise Bryan.
 'T was surprised at the statistics | given In regard to our coal and our | Iron ore. While 1t Is possible that new coal mines and new ore beds may be discovered, we cannot afford to base I our conduct upon speculations as tc
 what may yet be discovered.
 We should begin an intelligent su l psrvision and conservation of tha