Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-10-28

1
terest. Secretary Nagel of the depart
ment Of commerce and labor cited the
illustration of taking the census, stat.
| ing that Massachusetts had plan anu
a system for enumerating the popula
| ton of that state which the govern
ment could net improve upon ana Was
glad to accept.
Governor Quinby of New Hampshire
Gov. Deneen of Illinois and FORMER
Gov. Blanchard of Louisiana were
among those who spoke. Old Southern
melodies We're sung during the dinner
and the President joined often IN the
chorus.
The President in his speech began
b. paying tribute to New Orleans
He said:
1T is great pleasure to meet the
governors here under conditions where
they are not the whole thing q know
how that is myself. 1t is a pleasure
q growing pleasure, one that POSSIBLY
some of you have not had reason to
fully appreciate and esteem, that IN
al this hospitality which is rolling on
as we go further and further South,
there is to be an acme, a climax, III
the CITY of New Orleans in respect to
which there is nothing in this country
that can exceed it.
Il am hopeful that the meeting of
the governors on this vessel, following
as it does. the other two meetings in
Washington, has led them to believe
that there is much value in discussion
and consideration by them Of subjects
common to all states which the fed
eral government is not able itself, by
reason of constitutional restriction. TO
act upon or consider. The truth is
that as we are going on now to meet
the exigencies presented by the ne
cessity for the conservation Of re
sources, we are not going to be able
to accomplish everything under the
federal constitution and we must have
the cooperation of the states in uni
form policy that shall unite all the
powers there are in the states with
all the powers there are in the federal
government to do what we have to do,
and l am very hopeful that you will
continue the policy of meeting in
Washington every year
II know there are some states that are
unwise enough to charge a governor,
somebody else for the services rendered
by somebody else out of the governors
pocket, but / am hopeful that those
states are few and that it will not be a
peEaliZing of governors to invite them
to come to Washington. l should be glad
to see them all, the whole 46 governors, in
Washington every winter and 1 shall feel
greatly honored to have all the govern
ors of the United States guests of mine
at dinner in the White House every
year. and l am certain that it would re-
suit greatly to the benefit of the whole
country.
1.-The lack of uniformity in some of
our laws is distressing and yet we cam
not amend the legislation of the United
States in order to correct the evil that
grows out of it. We must by team play,
by team action. through the Legislatures
of the states, accomplish that reform :;
and while we by inviting the governors
do not invite the legislative power of the
state, we do invite those men who have
much to do with directing what the leg
islation shall he and whose constitutional
function is generally to recommend leg
islation to the Legislature with very con-
siderable influence in that regard.
Nov. my friends. that is the thought
came to me tonight as | have sat at the
table. and if it be necessary to max ca
suggestion in order to bring about that
meeting | shall be glad to make it my
self. We are going to have a meeting of
the civic federation sometime in Deem
Der to consider the question of the uni
formity of the laws and their being made
uniform by action of the states. Whether
that would be a convenient time to bring
the governors together or not I don't
know. OF course I cannot do anything
else than hang out the latch string at the
White House. Congress cannot control
that. and if that will bring you there GER
tainly | shall throw it out
Il want to thank our hosts of St Louis
for this opportunity to meet the govern
OrS under such pleasant circumstances
and to wish the whole thing from St
Louis to the Gulf success"