Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-01-27
MOVE IS TOWARD
STATES RIGHTS
Conference of Governors Marks
Beginning of Important Era
in National Affairs.

Washington. Jan. 21.--The conference
81 Governors this week in Washing on
Is thought by many to mark the beginning
of new era in government only second
IN importance to that ushered In by the
civil War. That the meeting OF this
house of Governors is important, to an
extent not commonly appreciated, is
certain.
The Civil War seemed to sound the
death knell OF so-calcd States rights,
for the essence of States rights at that
time was deemed TO be the right to
secode. Naturally the tendency directly
after the war was toward centraliza-
tion of government and 1t Is only OF late
years. as tho dangers Of this centializa-
ton are becoming apparent. that we
have again begun to hear cry for
states rights.
The desire for States rights to-day
has very apparent and real foundation.
Never before was there so great an
appetite for reform III all fields OF legisla-
ton. As this demand for reform took
shape II wac only natural that the peo-
PIE looked first to the national govern
lEent to aid them. When national legis-
iators intimated that the hands OF the
government were tied as far MS the
passage Of the desired laws was con-
c'Fhed' me people at once raised the cry
81 subsidized trusts. and of league be-
tween government and trusts. But dur
ing me last year or two we have heard
more ana more about the power OF the
states, although the men who have
insisted upon II have not been accepted
b! the people as they should have been
W hen 1t is realized that the trainers OF
'he constitution gave To the States. in n
sweeping statement. all of the powers
not delegated to the general government
or prohibited to the States. IT is possible
10 see that there is n realm of state
power of legislation not yet dreamed
Of
Inc mouse of governors is the first ofTi-
c'al evidence Of this new sentiment of
states rights. The best evidence of this
II me speech OF Senator Root OF New
iork before the national Civic Fedora
'loil IN which he says: at seems to me
mat at this meeting all that YOU are do
ing now should he regarded not as the
working or the perfected machinery for
1nl1orm laws. but rather as a part OF the
initial process by means of which per-
manont and effective system shall he pro-
ducod,' Senator Root adds that It is bet
ter for the States TO agree upon nol,cies
which will do the least possible harm and
'ause the least possible Inconvenience to
t'clr sister states. than that the consti-
tution should be changed to give the
general government more power over
matters really of local concern.
vERMoNTERs At CAPITAL.
ofiicial Vermont has been in Washing
on tins week Gov. George II. Proutv
nd Mrs. Proutv are here in attendance
Upon The conferences Of the house OF
governors With them are M and Mrs.
olh Merrill. Roger Iulburd and Mr. and
Mrs W. II. Gilpn. who are attending
.hese conferences and those of the civic
Federation. Mr.. Gilpin is the proprietor
IF the Barton Monitor of Barton, VI.
On ednesdaN, Senator Carroll s Page
was the host at a luncheon al the capitol
in honor Of the Governor and his friends
The senator was accompanied by his
daughter, Miss Alice Page. ana their
guests were; Flon. George II. ProutY and
Mrs. prouty, Hon. -. j. Foster. Hon.
Frank Plumloy, Mr.. and Mrs Olln Mer-
MI. Nj and Mrs w H. Gilpin and Mrs.
Charles Prouty.
Senator w. + Dillingham; was called to
Vermont Friday and returned Wednes-
day.
) Senator and Mrs. G. s Page and Miss
Alice Page have taken apartments at The
Portland for the winter