, 1925-01-21

provision for their enforcement.
Child Labor Amendment
AT Its last session, the Congress
OF the United States submitted to
the several states an amendment to
the Federal Constitution. commonly
known as the Child Labor amend
ment. While realizing that many
reasonable arguments may be ad-
vanced against and additional grant
of power to the federal government
such as'will further encourage CEN
tralization of power and while per-
sonally I should have preferred that
the object of this amendment had
been achieved through legislation
in the separate states, l feel. that
because the likelihood of such action
is SO remote in the states where il
is most needed, the amendment
should be ratified.
h moral conscience of the Amer
lean people has long been aroused
OIL the subject of child labor and
the good which is to be derived
- ~ III H. opll-
ion. far outweigh any risk of an
abuse of power which may be felt
to be involved in the amendment.
1t Is not reasonable to assume that
the representatives in Congress can
not be trusted to enact a law that
Is both conservative and sane and at
the same time adequate for the pro-
lection of our children. 1 am hope
full, therefore, that our progressive
young state will be among the first
to ratify the amendment.
Law Enforcement
The report of the law enforce
ment department for the past two
years shows that the fines and
penalties which have beer assessed
by the courts against law violators
convicted through the instrumental
ity of this branch of the state gov
eminent have amounted to consider
ably more than the cost of the de-
partment. 1t has demonstrated its
value to the state not only in a
financial way, but also in the vigor
with which it has prosecuted offend
ers. 1t has been increasing in eff
cheney. and the number of errests
and convictions during the past two
years have exceeded those made in
any like period since the depart
ment was created.
While all reliable information
seems to prove that the enforcement
OF the prohibition law is becoming
more strict, and hat violations are
actnal1r hn;r~ roI,n4l H. ,,L1-
there is another desirable step which
may be taken thai will greatly
strengthen the law, the enactment
of a statute that will make it as
great a crime to purchase illict
liquor as it is to sell it. There
would be no manufacture or sale
of liquor in violation of law, if
there were not individuals, who,
having no regard for the sanctity
OF law and the inviolability of the
Constitution. afford the market for
the b~ootlegger. Every considera-
ton of honor and patriotism should
prompt all citizens, without regard
to personal convictions as to the
wisdom of prohibition, to scrupulous
adherence to the law. Disregard
of law imperils the very existence
of organized government. The eff
feet of this disregard is the same
in it's result whatever may be the
law involved. Throughout our
whole nation certain elements are
holding in derision the enforcement
of the prohibition law. There can
be no compromise upon questions
fof this kind. l stand unequivocally
for the thorough enforcement of the
prohibition law and l appeal to you
to consider the disastrous effect
upon the younger generation and
upon the future of our government,
which will be inevitable, if the ma
jesty of the law is not upheld b.
those to whom authority is dele
gated.
Those who disregard the law and
encourage violation by patronizing
the bootlegger should be equally
culpable with him. In this connec-
ton I suggest the enactment of the
conspiracy statute requested by Gov
ernor Ross in his message two years
ago. 1t should follow very closely
the provisions of the existing fed
eral conspiracy law which l am in.
formed is the most helpful of al
laws in the conviction of criminals
/ would emphasize hat the func.
ton of the law enforcement depar.
ment is not limited to the prohib,.
ton law. but that it offers a means
through which. when desired, the
efficient aid of the state may b,
extended in cooperation to loca
peace officers in the enforcement Of
all laws. In this department. under
the control of the Executive. should