Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-27
CHAPTER XIV
COMMENT AND REVIEW

II must be conceded that nearly the
whole of what at the outset / had planned
TO do as Governor had been accomplished
and in addition, the beneficial legislation
Of the special session and the completion
Of the Capitol. This success was largely
due to the fact that, subordinate to the
interests of the state, the duties to the
party, TO the Legislature, to those who
were working with me in the administra-
ton and to individuals were not forgotten.
1t is a regrettable fact that the chief OBJ.
stacle in the accomplishment of effective
public work is the modern newspaper This
is not because the editor is any lower in
ethics or in intelligence naturally than the
politician, but because the journals rep
resent a great moneymaking power en-
tirely irresponsible and without any kind
of control or supervision. They ought to
be and might be a great help to a man
trying to work out correct results, but he
is compelled to do without their assist
ance and generally to overcome their oppo.
sition.
The succeeding administration soon gave
evidence of what was destined to he its
chief characteristics.
l. The Divorce Congress. called by Penn
sylvania to endeavor to secure sytem
of uniformity in divorce legislation. .
participated in by leading lawyers and
divines from all over the country, after
long and careful consideration. report
ed statute proposed to the different
States. 1t was adopted in New Jersey,
Delaware and some other states. The
Attorney General of Pennsylvania de-
clared that there was mo divorce evil
|, IN m
morals and our lives was killed in the
house of its friends and originators
.. The act making newspapers responsi
BILE for negligence and requiring them
to print the names Of owners and edi-
|, tors was repealed after this fashion.
The latter part of It was Immediately
reenacted and this enabled IL to be
said with conscience none too nice
that the whole act had been repealed
BY this course the administration Sc
cured such popularity as could be
gained by newspaper favorable report.
g. An act OF Assembly provided for n
commission to erect a statue to Sena-
tor Quay ION the Capitol grounds at
Harrisburg" The commission had pre-
pared, by competent artist, marble
statue to be placed in one of the Capt.
tol arches and IL was now ready for
erection. There was the usual outcry
and, in obedience to 1t, instead OF to
the law, the statue lay in a box for two
lation of a statute by those sworn to
see that the laws were enforced. At
the next session of the Legislature a
mandatory act was passed and the
statue was put in its place.
A. Neither the district attorney of the
county nor the attorney general con-
Quoted the prosecution of those who
had so well bulded the Capitol. Private
counsel of capacity and experience
were employed for the purpose. But
the attorney general sat with them
through all OF the trials and saw to 1t
that the weight of the Commonwealth
was thrown against the defendants
It cannot be said that regard for the
public veal inspired any of these acts.
Nor so far as the head of the administra.
ton is concerned was there any I'll will
| or personal motive. In his kindly and good
| hearted way. no doubt, he wished things
were otherwise. But it was case OF
| sheer lack of will power to resist the in
fiuences surrounding him.
1924 Walnut street Philadelphia.
nv Dear Governor--You did II better
than well, and personally / thank you.
| did not say with what double gratitude
| the Senators Of our Big Medicine Lodges
| twhy did not say sachems) regard your
| appointment Of lie conte. I hear but
ono opinion: and mine you know.
May you have a reign glorious for the
dear old State.
| Yours with most friendly regard.
| WEIR MITCHELL.
His Exceilency the Governor.
.f ~ 49, Z. A ~ !. -.