Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-08

ment of the other measures to
which L refer; because at least two
years will elapse before another
election in which federal offices are
to be filled; but it would greatly
relieve the public mind of this i'm
portant matter were dealt with
white the circumstances and the
dangers to the public morals of the
present method of obtaining and
spending campaign funds stand
clear under recent observation and
the methods of expenditure can be
frankly studied in the light of pres
ent experience; and a delay would
have the further very serious dis
advantage of postponing action UNI
til another election was at hand and
some special object connected with
it might be thought to be in the
mind of those who urged it. Action
can be taken now with facts for
guidance and without suspicion OF
partisan purpose.
1 shall not argue at length the de-
STABILITY of giving freer hand in
the matter of combined and con-
centrated effort to those who shall
undertake. the essential enterprise
of building up our export trade.
That enterprise will presently,
will Immediately assume, has in
deed already assumed, a magnitude
unprecedented in our experience.
We have not the necessary instru-
mentalities for it's prosecution; 1t is
deemed to be doubtful whether they
could be created upon an adequate
scale under our present laws. We
should clear away all legal obstacles
and create a basis of undoubted
law for 1t which will give freedom
without permitting unregulated IL
cense. The thing must be done now,
because the opportunity is here and
NAV escape us if we hesitate or
delay.
The argument for the proposed
amendments Of the organic law or
Porto Rico is brief and conclusive.
The present laws governing the is
land and regulating the rights and
privileges of it's people are not just.
We have created expectations or eX-
tended privilege which we have not
satisfied. There is uneasiness
among the people Of the is
land, and even a suspicious doubt
with regard to our intentions con-
corning them which the adoption
of the pending measure will happily
remove. We do not doubt what we
wish to do in any essential partic-
ular. We ought to do it at once.
At the last session of the congress
a bill was passed by the senate
which provides for the promotion Of
vocational and industrial education
which is of vital Importance to the
whole country because it concerns
a matter. too long neglected, upon
which the thorough industrial prep
aration of the country for the criti-
cal years of economic development
Immediately ahead of us In very
large measure depends. May | not
us early and favorable consid-
Grafton by the house of representa-
tives and it's early enactment into
law? 1t contains plans which at
feet all interests and all parts of
the country and am sure that there
is no legislation now perding before
congress whose passage the country
awaits with more thoughtful APP
prevail or greater impotence to see
great and admirable thing set in tire
way of being done.
There are other matters already
advanced to the stage of conference
between the two houses of which it
is not necessary that l should
speak. Some practicable basis of
agreement concerning them will no
doubt be found and action taken up
on them.
Inasmuch as this is, gentlemen,
probably the last occasion 1 shall
have to address the Sixty-fourth
Congress, 1 hope you will permit me
TO say with what genuine pleasure
and satisfaction / have co-operated
with you in the many measures of
constructive policy with which you
have enriched the legislative annals
Of the country. 1t has been priv
ilege to labor in such company. !
take the liberty of congratulating
you upon the completion of a record
of rare serviceableness and distinc-