, 1925-01-20
Amendment Repudiated

4 The indefinite postponement of the bill ratify-
ing the proposed amendment to the constitution
of the United States prohibiting children under
the age of eighteen years from engaging i'll labor,
which indefinite postponement in this case means
the death of the bill so far as Wyoming is con.
cerned, is the wise action expected from this
state. Possibly no other state in the union is less
affected by the amendment, should il finally be
adopted, than Wyoming. And the question natur-
. ally arises why should Wyoming by her vote for
ratification fasten upon other states more direct
ly affected a law they do not desire.
Wyoming people are very familiar with federal
bureaucratic government, we have been mp
against it for some years and it has attained to
no great degree of popularity. The amendment
would give us another very strong dose not at all
desirable.
Many of the desirable rights reserved by the
state originally have, by one means and another,
been surrendered to the general government.
They were doubtless granted or suffered to be
taken i'll the interest of state growth and develop
ment. The time has come when the people believe
they have surrendered enough to be supervised
by federal authority, and very ~rightfuly refuse to
turn over the children to federal supervision.
When the bureaucrats would get the children
they would want our wives and finally the family
cooking stove.
1t seems to be the general opinion that what
we have remaining we will keep under our own
Jurisdiction to direct as seems best for our own
interest.
1t is stated that f~orty-five million of the sixty
million acres in the state is owned directly by the
federal government, and it retains all minerals
and all timber when it disposes of any of the
land to a citizen. All he gets is the surface of
the land and a chance to starve TO death or break
his back while struggling to evade the chance he
faces.
AS intimated, Wyoming people are not fond of
bureaucrats, they do not desire any increase in
the number. They are strong for less govern
ment in their business and home affairs, and the
Gction taken by the Wyoming senate exactly re.
Elected the general sentiment Of the people Of the
state.
They are Just as strong for less bureaus and
commissions in our own state government, and
if the time ever comes that they can express them
selves on this matter they will surely speak
firmly.
People, not only in Wyoming, but everywhere
IN the nation, feel that they are governed to the
limit, even beyond the limit. What they want is
less Interference and greater opportunity to de.
Nelop their individual enterprise and direct and
manage their own local affairs. They want to
shed the constant demand for taxes to pay the
overhead expenses Of an already top heavy gov.
ernment. They want in fact, a rest and a chance
to do something for themselves and their depend.
ents.
President Coolidge senses the situation. and
reflects these same wishes for the people.
If this amendment is repudiated by the states,
as 10 is very certain to be, possibly some of the
amendment crazed members Of the congress will
subside and begin to realize that il is not regu.
latory amendments and statutes the people want
but less laws Of all kinds, a less complicate gov
eminent, and a fighting chance TO be their indy.
dual selves and manage their own business.