The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-09-12
STATE RIGHTS AGAIN.

w 6OAh6 " nv
saying that We disagree with Mr.. c.
C. Gresham In respect to his consery-
alton theory; for We may be In per-
feet accord, we think the principle
enunciated in his amendment 10 the
resolutions adopted at the national
conservation congress does not go to
the root of the problem involved in
the question of state or national oon-
troll of water power sites.
This concerns more than the mere
Jurisdiction over riparian rights and
more than simple constitutional
proposition; for experience has shown
us that the constitution Is sufficiently
elastic to meet all the requirements,
not only of a rapidly developing
community life, but of a growing
lnaticnalism.
Mr.. Gresham proposes:
amy non-navigable waters wholly
within a state and not affecting
iother waters of other states. should,
in my opinion, be controlled by the
Estates; but waters or watersheds,
affecting other waters outside Of
such state. though 1t lie wholly
within one state, should be con-
,troiled by the federal government
land not allowed to be used or dis
posed OF by such state TO the detri-
Iment of other states"
Obviously he predicates his theory
upon the proposition that the people
of one state have no right to do any
thing that will interfere with the
vested rights of the people of an
other state. That is the ancient doc
trine of state rights. which the cor
porate interests. seeking to seize the
water power sites of the west, are
invoking to prevent control by the
United States government OF those
sites on the public domain, now with
held from entry.
He deals with the people by states,
as II the interests OF a man in the
same locality differed from the in
terest of his neighbor just over a
state line.
We are as firmly devoted to the
doctrine of local self-government as
any state Fighter, who ever lived;
but no arbitrary, artificial demarka-
ton of states. counties or cities,
can differentiate the rights and in
terests of the citizens of this repub-
lie. and most of the internal woes
under which we are now laboring.
and which have called into being
that notable gathering, the National
Conservation congress. are atribut-
able to the recognition of state lines
as defining the inextricable rights
and interests of the whole people.
We would offer an amendment to
Mr. Grassham's amendment. that in
all matters alone affecting the people
OF a given state. these people should
have exclusive jurisdiction: but in
all matters affecting all the people
of the nation alike in their ultimate
consequences. the nation should have
Jurisdiction.
| For instance. there are streams in
western states that find their sources
and their mouths within the confines
of one commonwealth. Under the
theory enunciated by Mr. Gresham
the people of that state should have
entire control of those water power
sites. after the public domain on
which they are located, is opened to
private entry. Yet. those rivers may
be capable of generating by their fall
millions and millions OF the power.
which eventually will be factor in
controlling the future motive power,
electricity. The state might dispose
of the power 70 private concerns,
which would consolidate and through
THAT consolidation become absolute
masters of the productive industry Of
the nation. No STATE Fighter will
deny that in this aspect of the situa-
tion. the people Of Kentucky are just
as much Interested In the conserva-
tion OF that power. and its regulation
to prevent a monopoly. as the peo-
pie OF the state in which It is To-
Gated. The same may be said in re-
gard to interstate commerce con-
Germs. and the fuel, ore and timber
questions
This nation is not confederation
of sovereign, independent states. that
have surrendered to the federal gov
lernment only those mowers necessary