Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1901 — Page 2

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE READ TO CANGRESS

Governmental Problems Dwelt On at Length in the Document. OftO Exclusion OF THE ANARGHLTS Czo’gosz and His Ilk Enemies of the Human Race. THE MERITS OF RECIPROCITY. President Defends the Workings of the Protective Tariff —Construction of the Nicaraguan Canal Urged, and the Laying of a Cable to Hawaii and ti'e . hilipplnes—Change* in the Present Militia Laws Kecoinuieiided —The Navy. A comprehensive synopsis of President Roosevelt’s message to Congress is given below : To the Senate and House of Representatives: 'The Congress assembles this year under the shadow of a great calamity. On the sixth ot September, President McKinley was shot by an anarchist while attending the PanAmerican Exposition at Buftalo, and died in that city on the fourteenth of that month. Of the last seven elected Presidents, he is the third who has been murdered, and the hare recital of this fact is suflicient to justify grave alarm among all loyal American citizens. Moreover, the circumstances of this, the third assassination of an American President, have a peculiarly sinister significance. Doth President Lincoln and President CarHeld were killed by assassins of types unfortunately not uncommon In history. President Lincoln falling a victim to the terrible passions aroused by four years of civil war, and President Garfield 10 the revengeful vanity of a disappointed office-seeker. President McKinley was k lied by an utterly depraved criminal belonging to that body of criminals who object to all governments, good and bad ntikc, who are against any form of popular liberty if it is guaranteed by even the* most Just, and liberal law's, and who are as hostile tx> the upright exponent of a free people’s sober will as to the tyrannical and irresponsible despot. It is not too much to say that at the time President McKinley’s death he was the most widely loved man in all the United States; while w r e have never had any public man of his position who has been so wholly free from the bitter animosities Incident to public life. There could be no personal hatred of him, for he never acted with aught but consideration for the welfare of others. No .one could fail to respect him who knew him in public or private life. The defenders of those murdererous criminals who seek to excuse their criminality by asserting that it is exercised for political ends, inveigh against w alth and irresponsible power. But for this assassination even this base apology cannot be urged.” The President speaks in the highest terms of the personal and public virtues of Mr. McKinley. Describing the nature of the assassination and the motive that inspired it, the message continues: Motive of the Assassin. • The blow was aimed not at this President, but at all Presidents at every symbol of government. The anarchist, aud especially the anarchist in the United States, is merely one type of criminal, more dangerous than any other because ho represents the same depravity in a greater degree. The man who advocates anarchy directly or indirectly, in any shape or fashion, or the man who apologizes for anarchists and their deeds, makes himself morally accessory to murder before th* fact. The anarchist is a criminal whose perverted instincts lead him to prefer confusion and chaos to the most beneficent form of social order. His protest of concern for workingmen is outrageous in its impudent falsity; for if the political institutions of this country do not afford opportunity to every honest and intelligent, son of toil, then the door of hope is forever closed against him. The anarchist is everywhere not merely the enemy of system and progress, but the deadly foe of liberty. If ever anarchy is triumphant its triumph will last for but one red moment, to be succeeded for ages by the gloomy night of despotism. Would Exclude Anarchists. T earnestly recommend to the Congress that in the exercise of its wise discretion it should take into consideration tho coming to this country of anarchists or persons professing principles hostile to all government and justifying the murder of those placed io authority. No matter calls more urgently for the wisest thought of the Congress. The Federal courts should be given jurisdiction over any man who kills or attempts to kill the President or any man who by the Constitution or by-law is in line of succession for the Presidency, while the punishment for an unsuccessful attempt should be proportioned to the enormity of the offense against our institutions. ‘Anarchy is a crime against the whole human race; and all mankind should band against the anarchist. His crime should be made an offense against the law of nations, like piracy and that form of manstealing known as the slave trade for it is of far blacker infamy than either. It should be so declared by treaties among all civilized powers.

The Trust Problem. The tremendous and highly complex Industrial development which went on with ever accelerated rapidity during the latter half of the nineteenth century brings us face to face, at the beginning of the twentieth, with very Berlous social problems. The old laws, and the old customs which had almost the binding force of law, were once quite sufficient to regulate the accumulation and distribution of wealth. Since Ihe industrial changes which have so enormously Increased the productive power of mankind, they are no longer sufficient. "The creation of great corporate fortunes has not been due to the tariff nor to any other governmental action, hut to natural causes in the business world, operating in other countries as they operate in our own. Tt is not true that as the rich have grown richer the poor have grown poorer. On the contrary, never before has the average man, the wage-worker, the farmer, the small trader, been so well oft as in this country and at the present time. There have been abuses connected with the accumulation of wealth: yet it remains true that a fortune accumulated only on condition of conferring immense Incidental benefits upon others. Successful enterprise, of the type which benefits all mankind, can only exist if the conditions are such as to offer great prizes as the rewards of success. The captains of Industry who have driven the railway systems across this continent, who have built up our commerce, who have developed our manufactures, have on the whole done great good to our people. Without them the material development of which we are ao justly proud could never have taken place. Moreover, we should recognize . the Immense importance to this material development of leaving as unhampered as is compatible with the public good the strong and forceful men upon whom the success of business operations Inevitably rests. Caution Is Urged. “An additional reason for caution In dealing with corporations is to be found In the International commercial conditions of today. The same business conditions which bare produced the great aggregations of corporate and individual wealth have made them very potent factors in international commercial competition. America has only just begun to assume that commanding position Is tbs International business world which we beliere will more and more be hers. H is of tie utmost importance that this position b* not jeoparded, especially at p time when the overflowing abundance of our own natu-" 1 ral resources and the skill, business energy, »ed mechanical aptitude of our people make foreign markets essential. Under such condiuoos it would be most unwise to cramp or to tetter tbs youthful strength of our Msaeter to greet business enterprises can ■over bare Ho effects limited to the men at Out top. tt spreads throughout, and while it to bad ter everybody. It Is worst for those Hirltsat down. The capitalist may be shorn e< bis luxuries; but the wage-worker may be deprived of even bare necessities. . “la facing new industrial conditions, the •tbote history of tbs world shows that legls- * . ; c V. ,j & /

latlon will generally be both unwise and ineffective unless undertaken after calm inquiry and with sober self-restraint. Much of the legislation directed at the trusts wopld have been exceedingly mischievous had it not also been entirely ineffective. In dealing wijh business interests, for the government to undertake by crude and ill-considered legislation to do what may turn out to be bad, would be to incur the risk of such far-reach-ing national disaster that it would be preferable to undertake nothing at all. “All this is true; and yet It is also true that there are real and grave evils, one of the chief being over-capitalization because of its many baleful consequences; and a resolute and practical effort must be made to correct these evils. Government Supervision. "It IS no limitation upon property rights or freedom of contract to require that when men receive from government the privilege of doing business under corporate form, which frees them from individual responsibility, and enables them to call into their enterprises the capital of the public, they shall do so upon absolutely truthful representations as to the value of the property in which the capital is to bo invested. Corporations engaged in interstate commerce should be regulated if they are found to exercise a license working to the public injury. It should be as much the aim of those who seek for social betterment to rid the* business world of crimes of cunning as to rid the entire body politic of crimes of violence. Great corporations exist only because they are created and safeguarded by our institutions and it is therefore our right and our duty to see that they work iri harmony with these institutions. Publicity Remedy for Trusts. “The first essential in determining how’ to deal with the great industrial combinations is knowledge of the facts—publicity. In the interest of the public, the government should have the right to inspect and examine tho workings of the great corporations engaged in interstate business. Publicity is the only sure remedy which we can now invoke. What, further remedies are s needed in the way of governmental regulation, or taxation, can only bo determined after publicity has been obtained, by process of law, and in the course of administration. The first requisite is knowledge, full and complete—knowledge which may be made public to the world. ‘•Artificial bod.es, such as corporations and joint stock or other associations, depending upon any statutory law for their existence or privileges, should be subject to proper governmental supervision-, and full and accurato information as to their operations should bo made public.regularly at reasonable intervals. “The large corporations, commonly called trusts, though organized in one state, always do business in many states, often doing very little business in the state where they are incorporated. There is utter lack of uniformity in the state laws about them; and as no state has any exclusive interest in or power over their acts, it has in practice proved impossible to get adequate regulation through state action. Therefore, in the interest of thm whole people, the Nation should, without interfering with the power of the states in the matter itself, also assume power of supervision and regulation over all corporations doing an interstate business. This is especially true where the corporation derives a portion of its wealth from the existence of some monopolistic element or tendency in its business. There would he no hardship in such supervision hanks are subject to it, and in their case it is now accepted as a simple matter of course. Indeed, it is probable that supervision of corporations by the National government need not go so far as is now the case with the supervision exercised over them by so conservative a state as Massachusetts, in order to produce excellent results. “I believe that a law can be" framed which will enable the National government to exercise control along the lines above indicated; profiting by the experience gained through the passage and administration of the Inter-state-Commerce Act. If, however, the Judgment of the Congress is that it lacks the constitutional power to pass such an act, then a constitutional amendment should be submitted to confer the power. “There should be created a Cabinet officer, to bo known as Secretary of Commerce and Industries, as provided in the bill introduced at the last session of the Congress. It should be his province to deal with commerce in its broadest sense including among many other tnings whatever concerns labor and all matters affecting the great business corporations and our merchant marine. Restriction on Immigration. “With the sole exception of the farming interest, no one matter is of such vital moment to our whole people as the welfare of the wage-workers. If the farmer and the wage-worker are well off, it is absolutely certain that all others will be well off, too. It is therefore a matter for hearty congratulation that on the whole wages are higher to-day in tho United States than ever before in our history, and far higher than in any other country. The standard of living is also higher than ever before. Every effort of legislator and administrator should be bent to secure the permanency of this condition of things and its improvement wherever possible. Not only must our labor be protected by the tariff, but it should ulso be protected so far as It is possible from the presence in this country of any laborers brought over by contract, or of those who, coming freoly, yet represent a standard of living so depressed that they can undersell our men in the labor market and drag them to a lower level. I regard it as necessary, with this end in view, to re-enact immediately the law excluding Chinese laborers and to strengthen it wherever necessary in order to .make its enforcement entirely effective. “So far as practicable under the conditions of government work, provision should be made to render the enforcement of the eighthour law’ easy and certain. In all industries carried on directly or indirectly for the United States government women and children should be protected from excessive hours of labor, from night work, and from work under unsanitary conditions.

"The most vital problem with which this country, and for that matter tlio whole civilized world, has to deal, is the problem which has for one side the betterment of social conditions, moral and physical, in large cities, and for another side the effort to deal with the tangle of far-reaching questions which wo group together when we speak of "labor.’ Very great good has been and will be accomplished by associations or unions of wage-workers, when mannged with forethought, and when they combine insistence upon their own rights with law-abiding respect for the rights of others. The display of these qualities in such bodies is a duty to the Nation no less than to the associations themselves. Finully, there must also in many cases be action by the government in order to safeguard the rights and interests of all. Under our Constitution there is much more scope for such action by the state and the municipality than by the Nation. But on points such as those touched ou above the National government can act. "Our present Immigration laws are unsa*Isfaetory. We need every honest and efficient immigrant fitted to become an American citizen, every immigrant who comes here to stay, who brings here a strong body, a stout heart, a good head, and a resolute purpose to do his duty well In every way and to bring up his children as law-abiding and God-fearing members of the community. But there should be a comprehensive law enacted with the object of working a threefold Improvement over our present system. F,rst, we should aim to exclude absolutely not only all persons who are known to be believers in anarchistic principles or members of anarchistic societies, but also all persons who are of a low moral tendency or of unsavory reputation. This means that we should require a more thorough system of Inspection abroad and a more rigid system of examination at our Immigration ports, the former being especially necessary. "The second object of a proper Immigration law ought to be to secure by a careful and not merely perfunctory educational test some intelligent capacity to appreciate American institutions and act sanely as American citizens. This would not keep out nil anarchists, for many of them belong to the Intelligent criminal class. But it would do wnat is also in point, that is, tend to decrease. the sum of ignorance, so potent In producing the envy, suspicion, malignant passion, and hatred of order, out of which anarchistic sentiment inevitably springs. Finally, all persons should be excluded who are below a certain standard of economic fltDess to enter our industrial field as competitors with American labor. There should be proper, proof of personal capacity to earn an American living and enough money to insure a decent start under American conditions. This would stop the Influx of cheap labor, and the resulting competition which gives rise to so much of bitterness in American Industrial life; and it would dry up the springs of the pestilential social conditions in our great cities, where anarchistic organizations have their greatest possibility of growth. Question of Reciprocity. "There is general acquiesence In our present tariff system as a national policy. The first requisite to our prosperity is the continuity and stability of this economic policy, ivothlng could be more unwise than to disturb tbe business Interests of the country by any general tariff change at this time. Doubt, apprehension, uncertainty are exactly what we wish to avoid in the Interest of our commercial and material well-being. Our experl-

ence in the post has shown that sweeping revisions of the tariff are apt to prodtrH> condltlons closely approaching panic in the business world. Tet tt Is not only possible, but eminently desirable, to combine with the stability of our economic system a supplementary system of reciprocal benefit and obligation with other nations. Such reciprocity is an incident and result of the firm establishment and preservation of our present economic policy. It was specially provided for in the present tariff law. “Our first duty is to see that the protection granted by the tariff in every case where it is needed is maintained, and that reciprocity be sought for so far as it can safely be done without injury to our home industries. Just bow far this is must be determined according to the individual case, remembering always that every application of our tariff policy to meet our shifting national needs must be conditioned upon the cardinal fact that the duties must never be reduced below tho point that will cover the difference between the labor cost here and abroad. The well-being of the w’age-worker is a prime consideration of our entire policy of economic legislation. “Subject to this proviso of the proper protection necessary to our industrial well-being at home, the principle of reciprocity must command our hearty support. The phenomenal growth of our export trade emphasizes the urgency of the need for wider markets and for a liberal policy in dealing with foreign nations. Whatever is merely petty and v £ xa f*i OUH * n way of trade restrictions should he avoided. The customers to whom we dispose of our surplus products in the long run, directly or indirectly, purchase those surplus products by giving us someth.ng in return. Their ability to purchase our products should as far as possible be secured by so arranging our tariff as to eni . . us to * a k o from them those products whirh we can use without harm to our own Industries and labor, or tho use of which will be of marked benefit to us. "We have now reached tho point In the development of our interests where wo are not only üble to supply our own markets but to produce a constantly growing surplus for which wo must find markets abroad. To secure these markets we can utilize existing duties In any case where they are no longer needed for the purpose of protetion. or In anv ra^ C * hero artic * e not produced hero and the duty is no longer necessary tor revenue, as giving us something to offer in exchange for what we ask. The cordial relations with other nations which are so desirable will naturally be promoted by the course thus required by our own interests. “The natural line of development for a policy of reciprocity will be in connection with those of our productions which no longer require all of 4,he support once needed to establish them upon a sound basi3, and with those others where either because of » natural or of economic causes we are beyond the reach of successful competition. “I ask the attention of the Senate to the reciprocity treaties laid before it by my predecessor. Our Merchant Marine. “The condition of the American merchant marine is such as to call for immediate iemedial action by the Cougrcss. It is discreditable to us as a Nation that our merchant marine should be utterly insignificant in comparison to that of other nations which overtop in other forms of business. “American shipping Is under certain great disadvantages when put in competition with the shipping of foreign countries. Many of the fast foreign steamships, at a speed of fourteen knots or übove. are subsidized; and all our ships, sailing vessels and steamers alike, cargo carriers of slow speed aud mail carriers of high speed, have to meet the fact that the original cost of building American ships is greater than is the case abroad; that the wages paid American officers and seamen are very much higher than those pa<d the officers and seamen of foreign competing countries; and that the standard of living cm our ships is far superior to the standard of the ships of our commercial rivals. “Onr government should take such action as will remedy these inequalities. The American merchant marine should be restored to the ocean. “The Act of March 14, 1900, intended unequivocally to e stablish gold os the standard money and to maintain at a parity therewith all forms of money medium in use with us, has been shown to be timely and judicious. The price of our government bonds in the world s market, when compared with the price of similar obligations Issued by other nations, is a flattering tribute to our public credit. This condition it is eminently desirable to Maintain. “In many respects the National Banking Law furnishes sufficient liberty for the proper exercise of the blinking function but there seems to be need of better safeguards against the deranging influence of commercial crises ami financial panics. Moreover, the currency of the country should be made responsive to the demands of our domestic trade and commerce. Reduction of Revenues. "The collections from duties on imports and internal taxes continue to exceed the ordinary expenditures. The utmost care should be taken not to reduce the revenues so' tha thre will be any possibility of a deficit; but, after providing against nny such contingency, means should be adopted which will bring the revenues more uearly within the limit of our actual needs. "1 call special attention to the need of stric economy in expenditures. Tho fact that our national needs forbid us to he uiggardly in providing whatever is actually necessary to our well-being, should make us doubly careful to husband.our national resources, as each of us husbands his private resources, by scrupulous nvoidanoe of anything like wasteful or reckless expenditure. Regulation of Railroads. In_ 1887 a measure whs enacted for the regulation of interstate railways, commonly known as the Interstate Commerce Act. Thi cardinal provisions of that act were that railway rates should be Just and reasonable and that all shippers, localities, and commodities should be accorded equal treatment. A commission was created and endowed with what were supposed to be the necessary powers to execute the provisions of this act. "That law was largely an experiment. Experience lias shown the wisdom of its purposes, but has also shown, possibly that some of its requirements are wrong, certainly that tile means devised for the enforcement of its provisions are defective. "The act should be amended. Tho railway Is a public servant. Its rates should be Just to and open to all shippers alike. The government should see to it that within its Jurisdiction this is so and should provide a speedy, inexpensive, and effective remedy to that end. At the same time it must not be forgotten that our railways are the arteries through which the commercial lifeblood of this nation flows. Nothing could be more foolish than the enactment of legislation which would unnecessarily interfere with the development and operation of these commercial agencies. The s ibject is one of great importance and calls Tor the earnest attention of the Congress. The message points out the value of the American forests and the necessity for their conservation, and urges the construction and maintenance of reservoirs and irrigating systems for the reclamation of the arid lands of the West. Of the water rights it says: "In the arid states the only right to water which should be recognized is that of use. In Irrigation this right should uttach to the land reclaimed and be inseparable therefrom. Granting perpetual water rights to others than users, without compensation to the public, is open to all the objections which apply to giving away perpetual franchises to the public utilities of cities. A few ot the Western states have already recognized this and have Incorporated in their constitutions the doctrine of perpetual state ownership of water. Development of Hawaii. "Our aim Kliould be not simply to reclaim the largest area of land and provide homes lor the largest number of people, but to creato for this new industry the best possible social and industrial conditions; and this requires that we not only understand the existing situation, but avail ourselves of the best expcrlcuee of the time in tlie solution of its problems. A careful study should be made, both by the nation and the states, of the irlgation laws and conditions here and abroad. Ultimately It will probably be necessary for the nation to co-operate with the several arid states in proportion as these states by their legislation and administration chow themselves fit to receive It. “In Hawaii our aim must be to develop the territory on the traditional American lines. We do not wish a region of large cittes tilled by cheap labor; we wish a healthy American community of men who themselves till the farms they own. All our legislation for the islands should be shaped with this end in view; the well-being of the average homemaker must afford the true test of the healthy development of the islands. The land policy should as nearly as possible be modeled on our homestead system. "It is a pleasure to say that it is hardly more necessary to report as to Porto Rico than as to any state or territory within our continental limits. The island Is thriving as never before, and It Is being administered efficiently and honestly. Its people are now enjoying liberty and under the protection of the United States, and upon this fact we congratulate them and ourselves. Their material welfare must be as carefully and jealously considered as the welfare of

any other portion of our country. We here given them the great gift of free ecceas for their products to the markets of the United States. I ask the attention of the Congress to the need of legislation concerning the public lands of Porto Rico. Progress In Cuba. "In Cuba such progress has been made toward putting the Independent government of the island upon a Arm footing that before the present session of the Congress closes this will be an accomplished fact. Cuba will then Btart as her own mistress; and to tho beautiful Queen of the Antilles, as she unfolds this new page of her destiny, we extend our heartiest greetings and good wishes. Elsewhere I have discussed the question of reciprocity. In the case of Cuba, however, there are weighty reasons of morality and of national Interest why the policy should be held to have a peculiar application, and I most earnestly ask your attention to the wisdom, Indeed to the vital need, of providing for a substantial reduction In the tariff duties on Cubnn Imports into the United States. Cuba has in her constitution affirmed what we desired, that she should stand, In International matters, in closer and more friendly relations with us than with any other power; and we are hound by evory consideration of honor and expediency to pass commercial measures In the interest of her material well-being. The Philippine Problem. "In the Philippines our problem Is larger. They are very rich tropical islands. Inhabited by many varying tribes, representing widely different stages of progress toward civilization. Our earnest effort is to help these people upward aloug the stony and difficult path that leads to self-government. We hope to make our administration of the Islands honorable to our nation by making it of the highest benefit to the Filipinos themselves; and as an earnest of what wo Intend to do, we point to what we have done. Already a greater measure of material prosperity and of governmental honesty and efficiency has been attained In the Philippines than ever before in their history. “In dealing with the Philippine people we must show both patience and strength, forbearance and steadfast resolution. Our aim is high. We do not desire to do for the islanders merely what has elsewhere been done for tropic peoples by even the best foreign governments. W hope to do for them what has never before been done for any people of the tropics—to make them fit for selfgovernment after the fashion of the really free nations. “To leave the Islands at this time would mean that they would fall Into a welter of murderous anarchy. Such desertion of duty on our part would be a crime against humanity. The character of Governor Taft and of his associates and subordinates is a proof. If such be needed, of the sincerity of our effort to give the Islanders a constantly increasing measure of self-government, exactly as fast as they show themselves fit to exercise it. Since the civil government was established not an appointment has been made In the islands with any reference to considerations of political influence, or to aught else save the fitness of the man and the needs of the service. "There are still troubles ahead In the Islands. The insurrection has become an affair of local banditti and marauders, who deserve np higher regard than the brigands of portions of the old world. Encouragement, direct or Indirect, to these insurrectos stands on the same footing as encouragement to hostile Indians in the days when we stIM had Indian wars. As we will do everything in our power for the Filipino who is peaceful, we will take the sternest measures with the Filipinos who follow the path of the insurrecto and the ladronc.

"The time has come when there should be additional legislation for the Philippines. Nothing better can be done for the islands than to introduce industrial enterprises. Nothing would benefit them so much as throwing them open to industrial development. It Is therefore necessary that the Congress should pass laws by which the resources of the Islands can be developed; so that franchises (for limited terms of years) sail be granted to companies doing business n them, and every encouragement be given to the incoming of business men of every kind. “I call your attention most earnestly to the crying need of a cable to Hawaii and the Philippines, to be continued from the Philppines to points in Asia. We should not defer a day longer than necessary the construction of such a cable. It Is demanded not merely for commercial but for political and military considerations. "Either the Congress should Immediately provide for the construction of a government cable, or else an arrangement should be made by which like advantages to those accruing from a government cable may be secured to the government by contract with a private cable company. Recommends Nicaraguan Canal. "No single great material work which remains to be undertaken on this continent is of such consequence ‘to the American people as the building of a canal across the Isthmus connecting North and South America. While its beneficial effects would perhaps be most marked upon the Pacific coast and the gulf and South Atlantic states, it would also greatly benefit other sections. It is emphatically a work which it is for the interest of the entire country to begin and complete as soon as possible; It is one of those great works which only a great nation can undertake with prospects of success, and which when done are not only permanent assets in the nation's material Interests, but standing monuments to its constructive ability. "I am glad to be able to announce to you that our negotiations on this subject with Great Britain, conducted on both sides in a spirit of friendliness and mutual good will and respect, have resulted in my being able to lay before the Senate a treaty which If ratified will enable us to begin preparations for an Isthmian canal at any time, and which guarantees to this nation every right that it has ever asked in connection with the canal. In this treaty, the old Clayton-Bql-wer treaty, so long recognized as inadequate to supply the base for the construction and maintenance of a necessarily American ship canal, is abrogated. It specifically provides that the United States alone shall do the work of building and assume the responsibility of safeguarding the canal and shall regulate Its neutral use by all nations on terms of equality without the guaranty or interference of any outside nation from any quarter. The signed treaty will at once be laid before the Senate, and if approved the Congress can then proceed to give effect to the advantages it secures us by prdviding for the building of the cnnal. “The true end of every great and free people should be self-respecting peace; and this nation most earnestly desires sincere aud cordial friendship with all others. Over the entire world, of recent years, wars between the great civilized powers have become less and less frequent. Wars with barbarous or sml-barbarous peoples come in an entirely different category, being merely a most regrettable but necessary International police duty which must be performed for the sake of the welfare of mankind. Peace can only be kept with certainty where both sides wish to keep it; but more and more the civilized peoples are realizing the wicked felly of war and are attaining that condition of just and intelligent regard for the rights of others which will in the end, as we hope and believe, make world-wide peace possible. The peace conference at The Hague gave definite expression to this hope and belief aud marked a stride toward their attainment.

The Monroe Doctrine. "This Bame peace conference acquiesced in our statement of tile Monroe doctrine ns compatible with the purposes and aims of the conference. "The Monroe doctrine should be the cardinal feature of the foreign policy of all the nations of the two Americas, as It is of the United States. The doctrine Is a declaration that there must be no territorial aggrandizement by any non-American power at the expense of any American power on American soil. It Is in no wise intended as hostile to any nation in the old world. Still less is it intended to give cover to any aggression by one new world power at the expense of any other. It Is simply a step, and a long step, toward assuring the universal peace of the world by securing the possibility of permanent peace on this hemisphere. “This doctrine has nothing to do with the commercial relations of any American power, save that it in truth allows each of them to form such as it desires. In other words, it is really a guaranty of the commercial Independence of the Americas. We do not ask under this doctrine for any exclusive commercial dealings with any other American State. We do not guarantee any state against punishment If it misconducts itself, provided that punishment does not take the form of the acquisitiou of territory by any non-American power. "Our attitude in Cuba is a sufficient guaranty of our own good faith. We have not the sllghteat desire to secure any territory at the expense of any of our neighbors. We wish to work with them band In hand, so that all of us may be uplifted together, and we rejoice over the good fortune of any of them, we gladly bail their material prosperity and political stability, and are concerned and alarm td it any of them fall into indue-

trial or political chaos, tie do not wish to see any old world military power crow up on this continent, or to be compelled to become a military power ourselves. The-peoples of the Americas can prosper best if left to work our their own salvation in their own way. Powerful Navy Urged. “The work of upbuilding the navy must be steadily continued. Whether we desire it or not, we must henceforth recognise that we have international duties no less than Inter-, national rights. Even if our flag were hauled down in the Philippines and Porto Rico, even if we decided not to build the Isthmian canal, we should need a thoroughly trained navy of adequate slse, or else be prepared definitely and for all time to abandon the Idea that our nation la among those whose sons go down to the sea In ships. Unless our commerce Is always to be carried In foreign bottoms, we must have war craft to protect It. “So far from being In any way a provocation to war, an adequate and highly trained navy Is the best guaranty against war, the cheapest and most effective peace insurance. The cost of building and maintaining such a navy represents the very lightest premium for insuring paece which this nation can possibly pay. “Probably no other great nation in the world is so anxious for peacq as we are. There is not a single civilized power which has anything whatever to fear from aggressiveness on our jjart. All we want is peace; and toward this end we wish to be able to secure the same respect for our rights in return, to Insure fair treatment to us commercially, and to guarantee the safety of the American people. “Our people Intend to abide by the Monroe doctrine and to Insist upon it as the one sure means of securing the peace of the Western hemisphere. The navy cffers us the only means of making our insistence upon the Monroe doctrine anything but a subject of derision to whatever nation chooses to disregard It. We desire the peace which comes as of right to the just man armed; not the peaces granted on terms of ignominy to the traveu and the weakling. “It is not possible to improvise a navy after war breaks out. The ships must be built and the men trained long in advance. In the late war with Spain the ships that dealt the decisive blows at Manila and Santiago had been launched from two to fourteen years, and they were able to do as they did because the men in the conning towers, the gun turrets and the engine-rooms had through long years of practice at sea learned how to do their duty. "It was forethought and preparation which secured us the overwhelming triumph of 1898. If we fail to show forethought and preparation now. there may come a time when disaster will befall us instead of triumph; and should this time come, the fa,ult will rest primarily, net upon those whom the accident of events puts In supremo command at the moment, but upon those who have failed to prepare in advance. “There should be no cessation In the work of completing our na\.\ It is unsafe and unwise not to provide this year for several additional battleships and heavy armored cruisers, with auxiliary and lighter craft in proportion; for the exact numbers and character I refer you to the report of the Secretary of, the Navy. But there is something we need even more than additional ships, and this is additional officers and men. To provide battleships and cruisers and then lay them up, with the expectation of leaving them unmanned until they are needed in actual war, would be worse than folly; it would be a crime agalnat the nation. “To send any warship against a competent enemy unless those aboard it have been trained by years of actual sea service, including incessant gunnery practice, would be to invite not merely disaster, but the bitter-' est shame and humiliation. Four thousand additional seamen and one thousand additional marines should be provided; and an increase in the officers should be provided by making a large addition to the classes at Annapolis. Our Present Naval Force. “We now have seventeen battleships appropriated for, of which nine are completed and have been commissioned for actual service. The remaining eight will be ready in from two to four years, but it will take at least that time to recruit and train the men to fight them. It is of vast concern that we have trained crewß ready for the vessels by the time they are commissioned. Good ships and good guns are simply good weapons, and the best weapons are useless save in the hands of men who know how to fight with them. The men must be trained and drilled under a thorough and well-planned system of progressive instruction, while the recruiting must be carried on with still greater vigor. "The naval militia forces are state organiations, and a-e trained for coast service, and in event of war they will constitute the inner line of defense. They should receive henrty encouragement from the general government. "But in addition we should at once pro? vide for a National Naval Reserve, organized and trained under the direction of the Navy Department, and subject to the call of the Chief Executive whenever war becomes imminent. It should be a real auxiliary to the naval seagoing peace establishment, and offer material to be drawn on at once for manning our ships in time of war. It should be composed of graduates of the Naval Academy, graduates of the Naval Militia, officers and crews of coast-line steamers, longshore schooners, fishing vessels and steam yachts, together with the coast population about such centers as life-saving stations and lighthouses.

N«e<l for Powerful Navy. “The American people must either build and maintain an adequate navy or else make up their minds definitely to accept a secondary position in international affairs, not merely in political, but in commercial, matters. It has been well said that there is no surer way of courting national disaster than to be 'opulent, aggressive, and unarmed.’ “It is not necessary to increase our army beyond its present size at this time. But it is necessary to keep it at the highest point of efficiency. “Every effort should be made to bring the army to a constantly increasing state of efficiency. When on actual service no work save that directly in the line of such service should be required. The paper work in the army, as in the navy, should be greatly reduced. What is needed is proved power of command and capacity to work well in the field. Constant care is necessary to prevent dry rot in the transportation and commissary departments. "The Congress should provide means whereby it will bo possible to have field exercises by at least a division of regulars, and If possible also a division of national guardsmen, once a year. “Only actual handling and providing for men in masses while they are marching, camping, embarking, and disembarking, will it be possible to train the higher officers to perform their duties well and smoothly. “A great debt is owing from the public to the men of the army and navy. They should bo so treated ns to enable them to reach the highest point of efficiency, so that they may be able to respond instantly to any demand made upon them to sustain the interests of the nation and the honor of the flag. The individual American enlisted man is probably on the whole a more formidable fighting man than the regular of any other army. Every consideration should be shown him, and in return the highest standard of usefulness should be exacted from him. It is well worth while for the Congress to con sider whether the pay of enlisted men upon second and subsequent enlistments should not be increased to correspond with the increased value of the veteran soldier. Militia Laws Obsolete.

“Action should be taken in reference to the militia-pud to the raising of volunteer forces. Our militia law is obsolete , and worthless. The organization and armament of the National Guard of the several states; which are treated as militia in the appropriations by the Congress, should be made identical with those provided for the regular forces. The obligations and duties of the Guard in time of war should be carefully defined, and a system established by law under which the method of procedure of raising volunteer forces should be prescribed in advance. It is utterly impossible in the excitement and haste of impending war to do this satisfactorily if the arrangements have not been made long beforehand. Provision should be made for utilizing in the first volunteer organizations called out the training of those citizens who have already had experience under arms, and especla.iy for the selection in advance of the officers of any force which may be raised; for careful selection of the kind necessary is impossible after the outbreak of war. "That the- army is not at all a mere Instrument of destruction has been shown during the last three years. In the Philippines, Cuba and Porto Rico it has proved itself a great constructive force, a most potent Implement for the upbuilding of a peaceful civilization. Eulogy of Veterans. “No other citizens deserve so well of the republte as the veterans, the survivors of

those who saved the union. They did the one deed which if left undone would have meant that all else in our history went for nothing.- ;But"for their steadfast’ prowess In the greatest crisis of our history, all our annals would be meaningless, and our great experiment in popular freedom and self-gov-ernment a gloomy failure. Moreover, they not only left us a united nation, but they left us also as a heritage the memery of the mighty deeds by which the nation was kept united. We are now indeed one nation, one in fact as well as In name; we are unite# in our devotion to the flag which is the symr bol of all national greatness and unity; and the very completeness of our union enables us all, in every part of the country, to glory In the valor shown alike by the sons of the North and the sons of the South in the times that tried men’a souls. Merit System KndorsvH. “The merit system of making ar*»->l*tSsents is in its essence as democratic and American as the common schools system itself. It simply means that in clerical and other positions where the duties are entirely non-political, all applicants should have a fair field and no favor, each standing on his merits as he is able to show them by practical test. Written competitive examinations offer the only available means in many cases for applying this system. In other cases, as where laborers are employed, a system of registration undoubtedly can be widely extended. There are. of course, places where the written competitive examination cannot be applied, and others where it offers by no means an ideal solution, but where under existing political conditions it Is, though an Imperfect means, yet the best present means of getting satisfactory results. "It is important to have this system obtain at home, but it is even more Important to have It applied rigidly in our Insular possessions. The administration of these islands should be as wholly free from the suspicion of partisan politics as the administration of the army and navy. All that we ask from the public servant In the Philippines or Porto Rico Is that he reflect honor on his country by the way in which he makes that country’s rule a benefit to the peoples who have come under it. This is all that we should ask, and we cannot afford to be content with lesß.” Treatment of Indians. The message points out the defects in our present consular service, and recommends the passage of bills now before Congress that will Increase its efficiency. Of the Indian problem it says. "In my judgment the time has arrived when we should definitely make up our minds to recognize the Indian as an individual and not as a member of a tribe. The General Allotment Act is a mighty pulverizing engine to break up the tribal mass. It acts directly upon the family of the individual. Under its provisions some sixty thousand Indians have already become citizens of the United States. We should now break up the tribal funds, dbing for them what allotment does for the tribal lands; that is, they Bhould be divided into individual holdings. A stop should be put upon the indiscriminate permission to Indians to lease their allotments. The effort should be steadily to make the Indian work like any other man on his own ground. The marriage laws of the Indians Bhould be made the same as those of the whites. “In dealing with the aboriginal races few things are more important than to preserve them from the terrible physical and moral degradation resulting from the liquor traffic. We are doing all we can to save our own Indian tribes from this evil. Wherever by international agreement this same end can be attained as regards races where we do not possess exclusive control, every effort should be made to bring it about. “I bespeak the most cordial support from the Congress and the people for the St. Louis Exposition to Commemorate the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. This purchase was the greatest instance of expansion in our history. It definitely decided that we were to become a great continental republic, by far the foremost power in the Western Hemisphere. The national government should be represented at the exposition by a full and complete set of exhibits. “The people of Charleston, with great energy and civic spirit, are carrying on an exposition which will continue throughout most of the present session of the Congress. I heartily commend this exposition to the good will of the people. It deserves all the encouragement that can be given it. “For the Bake of good administration, sound economy, and the advancement of science, the Census Office as now constituted should be made a permanent government bureau. This would insure better, cheaper and more satisfactory work, in the interest not only of our business but of statistic, economic and social science.

Growth of Postal Service. “The remarkable growth of the postal service is shown in the fact that Its revenues have doubled and Its expenditures have nearly doubled within twelve years. Its progressive development compels constantly increasing outlay, but in this period of business energy and prosperity its receipts grow so much faster than its expenses that the annual deficit has been steadily reduced from $11,411,779 in 1897 to $3,923,727 in 1901. Among recent postal advances the success of rural free delivery wherever established has been so marked, and actual experience has made its benefits so plain, that the demand for Its extension is general and urgent. “It is fust that the great agricultural population should share in the improvement of the servioe. The number of rural routes now in operation is 6,009, practically all established within three years, and there are 6,000 apolieations awaiting action. It is expected that the number in operation at the close of the current fiscal year will reach 8,600. The mail will then be daily carried to the doors of 5,700,000 of our people who have heretofore been dependent upon distant offices, and onethird of all that portion of the country which is adapted to it will be covered by this kind of service. Second-Class Mall Matter. “The full measure of postal progress which might be realized has long been hampered and obstructed by the heavy burden imposed on the government through the intrenched and well-understood abuses which have grown up in connection with second class mail matter. The extent of this burden appears when it is stated that while the sec-ond-class matter makes nearly three-fifths of the weight of all the mall, it paid for the last fiscal year only $4,294,445 of the aggregate postal revenue of $111,631,193. If the pound rate of postage, which produces the large loss thus entailed, and which was fixed by the Congress witn the purpose of encouraging the dissemination of public Information, were limited to the legitimate newspapers and periodicals actually contemplated by the law, no just exception could be taken. That expense would be the recognized and accepted cost of a liberal public policy deliberately adopted for a Justifiable end. But much of the matter which enjoyß the privileged rate is wholly outside of the Intent of the law, and has secured admission only through an evasion of Its requirements or through '»* cni*'.ruction. The proportion of such wv«ihs*. ...eluded matter is estimated by postal experts to be one-half of the whole volume of second-class mail. If it be only one-third or one-quarter, the magnitude of the burden is apparent. The Poßtofflce Department has now undertaken to remove the abuses so fur as is possible by a stricter application of the law; and it should be sustained in Its efTort.” “We view with lively interest and keen hopes of beneficial results the proeedlngs of the Pan-American Congress, convoked at the invitation of Mexico, and now sitting at the Mexican capital. The delegates of the United States are under the most liberal instructions to co operate with their colleagues in all matters promising advantage to the great family of American commonwealths, as well in their relations among themselves as In their domestic advancement and In their intercourse with the world at large. The occurrences arising from the “Boxer" outbreak in China are reviewed in detail, and the steps taken to secure to the United States its share of the trade of the Orient are explained. The message concludes: "The death of Queen Victoria caused ths people of the United States deep and heartfelt sorrow, to which the government gave full expression. When President McKinley died, our nation In turn received from every quarter of the British empire expressions of grief and sympathy no less sincere. The death of the Empress Dowager Frederick of Germany also aroused the genuine sympathy of the American people; and this sympathy was cordially reciprocated by Germany when the President was assassinated. Indeed, from every quarter of the civilized world we received, at the time of the President’s death, assurances of such grief and regard as to touch the hearts,of our people. In the midst of our affliction we reverently thank the Almighty that we are at peace with the nations of mankind; and we firmly intend that our policy shall be such as to continue unbroken these international relations of mutual respect and good will. THEODORE ROOSEVELT. White House, December 3,190 L 7 • l

WHAT A LEADING AGRICULTURIST SAYS OF WESTERN OANADA.

Prof. Thomas Shaw of Minnesota University Gives nn Unbiased Opinion. In a letter to “The Farmer,” St Paul, dated Sept. Ist, 1901, Prof. Thomas Shaw of the Minnesota State University has the following to say, after having made a trip through Western Canada: “The capabilities of the immense area known as Western Canada are but little understood on this side of the line. Our people are apt to look upon it as a region of frost and snow, a country in which but a small portion of the land relatively will ever be tillable, because of the rigors of the climate. True, the climate is cold in winter, but Western Canada has, nevertheless, Just that sort of climate which makes It the most reliable wheat producing country in all the continent. An Immense Area. Western Canada is not only an immense area, but the same description will apply t 6 those portions of the country that are capable of being successfully tilled or grazed. Nearly all of the prairie Province of Manitoba can be brought under cultivation, although probably not one-third of its surface has been laid open by the plow. Assiniboia to the west is a grain and stock country. Saskatchewan to the north of Assiniboia has high adaptation for the same. This also may be said of Alberta to the west. Here lies what may be termed a_grain-growing and stock producing empire, the resources of which have been but little drawn upon comparatively, viewed from the standpoint of the agriculturalist. When it is called to mind that even in the Peace River country, in Athabasca, and several hundreds of miles north of the Canadian boundary, wheat was grown which won a premium at the World’s Fair in 1893, the capabilities of this country in wheat production loom up more brightly than even the brilliant northern lights of the land that lies toward the pole. Adapted to Stock and Grain Production. The region under consideration is, however, mainly adapted to growing grain and grazing stock. Much of it is adapted to growing both grain and £tock, but certain areas, especially towards the mountains, are only* adapted to ranching, except where irrigation will yet be introduced. This, of course, can be done successfully along the many streams that flow down from the Rockies and water the country towards the east and north. The adaptation of the country for wheat production is of a high character, The cool nights that usually characterize the ripening season are eminently favorable to the filling of the grain, and to the securing of a plump berry, and consequently large yields. The crop this year is a magnificent one. In Manitoba and the territories it should certainly give an average of more than 20 bushels per acre. But slfould the yield be not more than 20 bushels, the crop will be a most handsome one, owing to the large area sown to wheat. Many farmers only grow grain. But those who do succeed as well in growing oats and barley as in growing wheat, hence these foods for stock should always be abundant. Some grow cattle mainty, and others combine the two. The last named, of course, is doubtless the safest of the three during a long course of years, that is to say, where much farming is practicable.

Quality of the Live Stock. It was a p’easurable surprise to note the high quality of the stock. The average of quality in cattle is higher than the average of cattle in our state, unless in the dairy classes. This opinion is not reached rashly or without ample opportunity for investigation. I spent three long days in the show ring at Winnipeg making the awards in the beef classes. I question if any of our states, single handed, could make such a showing in cattle! It was my privilege to make the awards at several shows and at all of their fairs were evidences that much attention is given to the improvement of the stock. I noted carefully the character of the herds that grazed along the railroad and everywhere the high average of the quality of the stock was in evidence. Reasons for Quality In Stock. The quality of the grass is good. Many of the settlers came from Ontario and had been schooled as to the value of good stock before going west The railroads and the government have taken a deep interest in making it less difficult and costly to the farmers to secure good males. Those who are anxious of changing their residence should bear in mind that the lands in Western Canada are many of them free .and others reasonably cheap. Information will gladly be given by any agent of the Canadian government, whose advertisement appears elsewhere.

Substitute for Sulphur Water.

The eminent French chemist Armand Gauter has reported a discovery to the French Academy of Sciences which is likely to prove of great hygienic value. He has found that finely powdered volcanic stones treated by boiling in water at a temperature of 270 to 300 degrees Celsius yield a liquid Identical in composition with the ordinary sulphur water of mineral springs except that it, is stronger than the latter.

Kentuckian on Kentucky Crime.

Rev. J. K. Smith of Louisville, Ky., declares that city, with a population of 200,000, has more murderers than London with 7,000,000, and that Kentucky with a population of 7,000,000, has more murderß annually than Great Britain with 40,000,000. „