Daily Kennebec journal., 1910-11-29
The "House Of Governors"

If there is anything as smooth as
the soft Southern accent of the ma
tives of the Blue Grass State, it is
Southern hospitality of which the gov
ernors or their representatives from
forty-siX states are today partaking.
The House of Governors" is assem-
blcd ct Frankfort. Because of i'm
pCrtant matters which are to come
before Governor Fernald and his
council, he was unable to be present
at the five days conference, but
Goyerncr-elect Plaisted is there.
The opening session is held at the
Kentucky capitol today. and on
Wednesday the governors are to dis
cuss what powers they have and what
they ought to have. Many subjects
will be handled by able men. One OF
the chief topics will be conservation,
in its various applications to varied
UP for consideration, as we'll as direct
primaries. The popular election OF
United States senator's will also re-
ceive attention. This is reserved for
Saturday, the last day of the conven-
ton. William George Jordan, secrc-
tary of the conference, has, with the
approval of the committee on arrange
nients, sent out statement on this
topic as follows:
1T seems to b" shown from the evil
dencc submitted herewith (a) that the
people want popular election OF United
States Senators, 90 that they can nev
cr secure it through the initiative of
Congress, fc} that working on the
problem as separate States they have
failed and must fail, but I'D that they
can succeed by concerted action
through the conference. A call made
by tWo-thirds of the States is man
datOry on Congress to call the conSti-
tutional convention to consider the
framing of an amendment
The value Of these conferences is
Just beginning to be realized. 1t
effect upon the various states toward
more universal understanding OF
each others desires and needs. These
govel nors cannot enact laws but they
can discover the workings of other
states laws and recommend enact
ment to the various law-makinS bodies.
Tho germ of the conference Of gov
crnors idea took form in the fertile
brain of President Roosevelt. 1t was
suggested by the forestry and water
ways conser walton movements. One o.:
his first communications on the sub
ject was TO the Inland Waterways
Commission, in which he said the time
had arrived for merging local projects
prchensive plan designed for the bchc
fit Of the entire country. The idea
has broadenel until every subject
next to the hearts of the various
states is taken to the conference for
advis2ment.
1t has been suggested that the
House VI Governors" has "swagGered
into public view, and is assuming
legislative prerogativcs-has outgrown
:he swaddlng clothes in which it first
appeared at the White House, in an
SWer to the Presidents invitation.
Perhaps such an inference might have
been given by the proposal to take a
hand in amending the constitution.
But we assume that this body Of Sc
lect and levcl-headed men are not to
encourage each other. or as body,
70 perform any fool stunts. They are
at Frankfort to carry the ligh. from
al! angles of the American compass
on mutual topics. And We hope that
their ambition will not vault so higr,
as to lay claim to a part of the regu-
llrly constituted government structure,
other than in an advisory capacity.