The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1913-09-23

Springs meeting, which, according to
the New York Evening Post, sis not
a sign of a special vitality in the in
stitution from which much was
hoped. The most obvious error of the
| conference, The Post points out, lies
in its program of subjects for discus
sion. 1t is all very well, we read, to
take up matters that involve, or may
involve, federal action, but the great
purpose of the conferences was uni
form state legislation" Nevertheless,
in examining the list of topics propos-
ed as subject to such legislation, The
Post is moved to ask whether all or
even the most of them are in reality
suitable to adjustment by uniform
state laws. For instance, Inquiries
The Post, why should all the States
make haste to have the same system
of direct primaries?" and if Oregon
wishes to try "the extreme of direct
legislation why should not her sister
states stand by and profit by her ex-
perience? Looking at the matter from
this point of view, The Post begins
to doubt whether or not "the field ap-
portioned to the house of governors be
much more limited in extent than was
supposed" and, in referring to the
so-called outside topics" introduced
INTO the conference, it cites the pro-
posal OF Governor Hunt, of Arizona,
to abolish legislatures and conduct
state administrations through a COVER
nor and his cabinet, and the proposal
OF Governor Hodges, of Kansas, for
commission government of states as
tendlnS TO make OF the conference a
body for the discussion of the theories
of government"
Instead of attempting to cover "a
wide range of big subjects" thinks
the New York Press, more might be
accomplished eff emphasis were
thrown upon one topic considered
thoroughly" but, adds The Press, I'M
questioning in it's conviction of the
value OF the annual conference, what
ever is done by way of formal action
or discussion, those congresses of
governors have become a notable in
stitution in furthering of intelligent
treatment by the different states of the
many problems which are common to
them ALL
Confident also is the tone of the
Richmond Tines Dispatch. which savs
that although 'the ideal of the inyen
tors OF the third house is far from
realized, yet it is not unattainable i"
and the New York Globe, praising the
governors conference as IAN oppor
tunlty to exchange ideas and suggest
reforms based on practical EXPERT
ence,' calls attention to the fact that
these conferences have ALWAYS
been productive of good in the mast !"
Recalling that in the beginning there
was talk of an authoritative organiza-
tlon OF the house of governors which
should make it an essential part of the
governorment and that the idea end
ed in talk, the New York Tribun4
notes with satisfaction that while the
meetings have continued to be purely
voluntary and unauthoritative" thew
have not declined in interest or lacl-
ed profit
quite the opposite is the opinion of |
the New Orleans Times Democrat /!
which, as failure, ranks the "House
OF Governors with the Commerce
Court, and says of the present confer
ence:
Far less attention has been paid to
IL IMAM was paid to the earlier con-
ferences-probably for the reason that
the high hopes of practical results.
awakened when President Roosevelt
oroached the plan, have been disan-
pointed. 1t had been expected that
he assembled governors would find
ways and means for closer co-opera-
ION, for securing uniformity of laws
tic. After several years trial of the
'ian Its expected good results are
ather conspicuously absent" II
Another New Orleans paper. The ,
'icayune. finds that "it is not easy to
ee that anything useful or Important i
an come from these meetings" but It
hopes the governors will have q Ii
God time" while the New York Times | 6
avs that instead OF house OF gov !
rnors. we should have "a house of d
elegates, made up yearly OF experts"
pecially charged to consider inter- 4
tate measures covering some social :,
cid. Then there is the Providence b
ourral, which, speaking Of ian insti-