Evening star., 1925-05-30

Slavery showed one; the complexities
OF interstate commerce have kept
others constantly in mind. On the day
the Constitution was finished. probably
more people would have seen seeds Of
conflict and dangers to the Union in
future commercial relations than in
slavery. But commerce became
source Of strength. while slavery be-
came cause of division. 1t brought
the Union into danger: and in the end
was destroyed itself. Where there was
sincere acceptance Of the dual SOW
| ereignty theory; where the States
| sought to do their full part. and ac-
| cepted the determinations Of the Ma
tional Government as to the rest. the
plan worked. Where the States sought
more from the Federal authority than
it could give, and resisted national de-
mands-then came dissension and. at
length. war.
1t would be folly to deny that we
still have problems of interstate rela-
ions TO handle. We boast that this is
land OF equal opportunity for all.
We insist that there is one law for all
the people. But that equality suffers
often because Of the divergencies be.
tween the laws Of different States So
long as some can go to a distant State
Tor divorces which others are denied
at nome, there Is not equality in this
regard. When some States grant
valuable exemptions from taxation
which other States impose. one person
may enjoy while another is denied
these benefits.
A few years ago a ma jority of the
states had adopted prohibition or rigid
restrictions on the traffic in intoXicat-
ing liquor. But other States did not
cooperate in advancing this policy,
and ultimately by national action it
was extended to all the Union BY
railing to meet the requirements of
national demand the States became
deprived Of the power to act II cues.
tions which the States will not fairly
settle on their own account shall have
to be settled for them by the Federal
authority, il will only be because some
States will have refused to DISCHARGE
obvious duties.
Hits Law Delays.
There is another responsibility of
the State. 1t is quite aside from this
one of Jurisdiction. 1t is the subject
OF law enforcement. We are not q
lawless people. but we are too fire.
quently careless one The multi
plicity of laws, the varied possibilities
OF appeals. the disposition Of techni.
cality in procedure, the delays and
consequent expense of litigation which
inevitably inure TO the advantage of
wealth and specialized ability-all
these have many times been recount
ed as reproaches to us. 1t is strange
that such laxities should persist in
time like the present. which is
marked by a determined upward
movement in behalf of the social vel
fare. But they do exist. They DEM
onstrate need for better. prompter.
less irksome and expensive admins
tration of the laws. They point the
necessity for simplification and codi-
fcation of laws: for uniformity of
procedure; for more accurate delimi-
tation of State and Federal authority.
All these problems constantly come
in the work of political and social de-
Velopment. But they stand for a vast
progression toward better conditions,
a better society, better economic
system. In approaching them. We
need to have in mind the FederaKst's
analysis of our constitutional system:
The powers delegated to the Fed
eral Government are few and defined:
those to remain in the hands of the
state government are numerous and
indefinite"