Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1901 — ROOSEVELTS FIRST MESSAGE [ARTICLE]

ROOSEVELTS FIRST MESSAGE

Byaopsls of the Subjects Mentioned aud What Is Said Thereof. Washington, Dec. 3.—President Roosevelt’s annual message begins with a warm tribute to the late President McKinley, and urges on congress the necessity of legislation for the suppression of anarchistic teachings in this country. He next remarks on the prosperity the country is enjoying, and from that subject comes Indirectly to the consideration of “trusts.” He advises caution in dealing with this problem and considers the first essential to be publicity—that the public should know all about the workings of great corporations. He advises that if it is necessary to amend the constitution to secure government Inspection and ‘regulation of trusts, the constitution should be amended. The president favors the ro-ennct> ment of the Chinese exclusion law, and going from that subject into organized labor, he declares that such organization accomplishes much good, and urges that government contracts shall provide that all government work must be done under fair conditions. While opposing any general tariff changes, he declares for reciprocity, which, he’ says, should be treated as the hand-maiden of protection. He also enlarges on the necessity of finding markets for our"constantly growing surplus of production, and asks the senate’s attention to the reciprocity treaties now before that body. He urges the building up of our merchant marine and that congress should take such action as will remedy ths inequalities in conditions obtaining on foreign and United States merchant vessels, such as wages, etc. As to finances, he suggests bettef safeguards against derangement In commercial crises, but on the whole, approves the national bank system. There are weighty reasons, he says, why we should deal liberally with Cuba in the matter of tariff duties; urges patience, strength and resolution in dealing with the Philippines and the development of the Hawaiian Islands. He makes a number of recommendations for the management of the Philippines. He would have the Nicaraguan canal begun at the earliest moment and says of the treaty with Great Britain on that subject that It guarantees to the United States every right it has asked in connection w-ith the canal. The Monroe doctrine, he declares* to lie the right basts of our policy as to South America, and defines it as a declaration against acquirement of territory on that continent by any European powers—and that only. He urges increase of the navy, but says the army is large enough. He declares unequivocally for civil servica reform, and its expansion. He closes with an appropriate refer* ence to the death of Queen Victoria and the Dowager Empress Frederick, and thanks to the Almighty “that we are at peace with the nations cf mankind.”