The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-07

ly defined in that instrument. There Is no twilight zone between. It is the duty of the general government to fully and courageously exercise every power give nto it, but it is just as much it's duty to let all other things alone. We are as last back in the house of our fathers, and it is our duty to support the general government. It is our right to demand that it be administered in the interests of the whole people.
 The constitution should not be tam pered with lightly, and no further amendment that has been yet suggest ed should be adopted. Every student of government must admit that there is ample power given Congress to pass all such laws as are needed for the general welfare and every patriot feels canfident that the states can best set tie their own political problems if not interfered with by some federal law The interest of the people in what Congress does within the present scope of the federal constitution is the same regardless of locality. Any traAsgres- sion of the limits fixed will interfere with the principle of states rights and local self government
 The people of Alabama are, next to having laws that will protect them in their lives liberty and property, most interested in educating their children, the care of Confederate soldiers. the establishment of rural credit. the im- the construction and maintenance of good roads.
 Proper Education
 ''The proper education of our children is duty and privilege that we will not and dare not, entrust to the gen. eral government. We must and will at all hazards and at whatever bur den nave separate schools for whites and blacks. Any proposition looking to Interference with or taking part in our public school system by the gen. eral government must be watched with jealous eyes. Our standard of civiliza- tion must be maintained regardless of money loss.
 Needy Confederate soldiers are worthy of the tenderest care and so- licltude. We cannot hope for help for them from the general government.
 Tt is therefore the more import ant that the state government should be relieved of many of the burdens 1t is how carrying in order that it may be able to care for the education of our children and the maintenance of the old soldier.
 
 heretofore been blacklisted as security for loans at national banks. This em- bargo on the greatest asset of the peo- pie has been removed by the passage of the currency bill and the door is now open for the creation of a rural credits system, whereby land owners, large and small, can obtain long, time loans at a low rate of interest.
 Under the enumeration of it's powers the Congress has power. to regulate con- merce with foreign nations and among the several states This power is far-reaching and has been construed to embrace con- trol of all streams navigable. or suscep- tible of being made navigable, that flows into the sea. Having Jurisdiction over the subject. matter, it is the plain duty of Congress to improve these great arteries of commerce. Our great rivers and the harbor at Mobile are important not only to Alabama, but to adjoining states, and we have right to expect and demand lib- eral appropriations for their improve ment.
 Another enumerated power of the Con- gress is: To establish postoffices and post roads, Good roads mean much and the present House of Representatives, in ap- propriating S25.000NO0 to their establish ment and maintenance, have but begun to do tardy justice to the people of the coun- try and performed duty long neglected by the general government. It should be more even if the cities have to wait awhile for new and palatial postoffice buildings.
 Comes From People
 ''The general government, through it's taxing power, raises many millions of dollars every year. Regardless of the thing taxes. this money comes primarily from the people. The sixteenth amend ment recently adopted gives it an addi- tional power to tax, and the magnitude of some swollen fortunes is so great that the recent small tax on incomes of over 5000 will make an enormous sum. The main reason assigned for the surrender of this power to tax incomes by the state was that these enormous fortunes that had been built up by favoritism of the government could not be effectually reached otherwise.
 Tt is but fair that this money should be returned to the state in appropria- tions for good roads. A road is not the property of the neigh borhood in which it is located. It is the kings highway and belongs to all On it there Is no place for antagonism, and, so long as trvelers keep to the right, no contact or conflict. If the federal government will do its duty by the postroads. the people of the nation at large will be benefited and the states and counties relieved of a burden that will enable them easily to care for the education of the children and for the needs of the old, soldier.
 We should have navy ample for public safety and able to enforce if necessary. the Monroe doctrine, but all diplomatic efforts should be made, con- sistent with self-respect, to bring about a peaceful solution of all international disputes. There is no need for a large standing army, but the Congress should in the language of the constitution, more effectually than in the past. provide for organizing. arning and discipling the militia reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to dis cipline prescribed by Congress.
 Claiming nothing more than high ideals of government, and promising nothing but to serve with an honest