Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-03-25

the states for ratification. Several OF
the states have already ratified il
and Pennsylvania action should be
prompt and favorable. The people
of the state will settle this question
through their Legislature, and they
must be unhampered in their deCi-
sion by any political interference.
l favor the amendment and / believe
it TO be my patriotic duty to aid in
securing ratification when this ques-
tion is at last removed from our
politics.
The question OF the enforcement
of the prohibitory amendment after
il shall have become effective is one
to which little attention has yet been
given. The amendment, as II reads,
leaves to Congress and the states, by
concurrent" legislation, the carry
ing out of the will OF the people.
Many questions will come before our
Legislature in the next four years
as TO the regulation 0f the liquor
trade and the inte pretation and
en- .orcement OF the new fundamcat-
al law after il has been ratified aud
is in effect. In full accord with
the purpose OF the amendment,
shall, if l am Governor, gladly ap-
prove and fully enforce such laws
upon this subject as the people,
through their Legislature, may
enact.
1t is to be hoped that the amend
ment to the Federal Constitution
providing for equal suffrage
throughout the land shall have been
passed by Congress and submitted
to the states by the time our next
Legislature meets, so that this great
question of political justice may also
be acted upon and approved by
Pennsylvania in what promises to be
an historic Legislative session. l
am in full sympathy with the cause
Of equal suffrage and hope l may
have the privilege of assisting in
putting this amendment also into
effect in our state. The women of
America are bearing their full share
OF our national burdens in the pres
sent crisis. How can We longer deny
them full political rights?
Labor
Pennsylvanians are especially in
terested in industrial affairs, as our
Commonwealth, having one-twelfth
of the population of the whole
United States, is furnishing indus
trially one-seventh or more of all
the munitions for our Army and
Navy, and more than one-half of
some OF the essentials. Thus the
official and industrial affairs of Penn
sylvania are of great consequence
TO the people of the United States,
and to-day, more than at any other
time in our national history, are the
workers of Pennsylvania of supreme
importance in the matter of safe
guarding our liberties and guaran-
teeing the preservation of the de-
mocracy of the world.
Industrial changes of the most
sweeping character have accom-
panied the present war, breaking
down the standards of other days
and opening up new era for labor.
1t must be plain to all that it is of
the greatest importance to so shape
official and other affairs here that
the highest possible results will fol-
low this great industrial effort. Old
plans, practices and conditions no
longer prevail. The ushering in of
the new industrial day has realized
to the fullest extent many of the
cherished hopes and aspirations of
the workers, and it is the first duty
of those in official place here to so
surround this situation with legis-
lative and other aids as 10 render
labor so effective in this great war
work that the efforts of Pennsyl-
Nanla sons VIII ever stand forth
among the greatest and best in our
national life. Every Legislative pro-
gram calculated to advance the in
terests of our vast army of workers
now, and in the times of re-adjust-
ment which must follow the war,
should and will receive the appro-
baton and support of all patriotic
men in official station.
Humane Laws
Pennsylvania, with her natural
advantages, material resources and
nearness to markets, is in stronger
I position industrially than any equal
area upon the face of the earth, and
with sucn blessings she should be
a leader in progressive enactments
I in the direction of complete justice
/ and opportunity for the men and
women who work with their hands
and minds to make tile Common
/ wealth great and prosperous and
] contented. The humane laws upon
our books are working well and we
cannot afford to take a single step
| backward, but on the other hand we
! should progress steadily toward am
/ plifying these laws and expanding
/ their beneficient influences. We
: have already seen the benefits of
our care of our workers and of our