Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-12-14

home and blind ourselves to the necessity or
securing our share in the valuable carrying
trade of the world.
Last year American vessels transported
smaller share of our exports and imports than
during any former year in all our history, ana
the measure OF our dependence upon foreign
shipping was painfully manifested to our peo-
pie. without any choice of our own, but from
necessity. the departments of the government
charged with military and naval operations In
the East and West Indies had to obtain from
foreign flags merchant vessels essential TOT
those operations. The other great nations have
not hesitated to adopt the required means TO
develop their shipping as factor IN national
defense and one of the SureSt ana SpeCultSI
means of obtaining for their producers share
In foreign markets Like vigilance and effort
on our part cannot fail to improve our situa-
tion. which is regarded with humiliation at
home and with surprise abroad Even these
sacrifices, which at the beginning may be IN
volved. Will be Offset later by more than equiv
The expense is as nothing compared TO the
advantage to be achieved The re-estaOllsh-
ment of our merchant marine involves In
large measure our continued Industrial pro
grcsS and the extension OF our commercial
triumphS. l am satisfied the judgment OF the
country favors the policy OF ana TO our her-
chant marine, which Will broaden our com
merce and markets and upbuild our sea carry
ing capacity for the products of agriculture
and manufacture; which, with the increase of
our navy, mean more work and wages TO our
countrymen. as well as safeguard to Amerl-
can interests in every part OF the world.
trusts and Combines.
Combinations of capital organized into trusts
to control the conditions OF trade among our
citizens. to stte competition, limit produc-
ti,n and determine the prices of products used
and consumed by the people are Justly pro-
voking public discussion, and should early
claim the attention of congress. The indus
trial commission has been engaged in eX-
tended hearings upon the disputed questions
involved in the subject OF combinations in re-
Straint of trade and competition. They have
not yet completed their investigation of this
subject, and the conclusions and recommended
tions at which they may arrive are undeter-
mined.
The subject is one giving rise to many di-
vergent views as to the nature ana variety or
cause and extent of the injuries to the public
which may result from large combinations
concentrating more or less numerous enter
prises ana establishments, which, previous to
the formation of the combination, were car
1t is universally conceded that combinations
which cngrosS or control the market of any
particular kind of merchandise or commodity
necessary to the general community, by sup
pressing natural competition, whereby prices
are unbalanced to the general consumer are
obnoxious not only to the common law, but
also to the public welfare. There must be a
remedy for the evils involved in such orgdhiEa-
tionS II the present law can be extended
more certainly to control or check these mo-
nopoleS it should be done without delay.
Whatever power congress possesses over this
most important subject should be promptly
asCertaned and asserted.
The prosecution by the United States OF
offenses under the act Of 1890 has been fire.
quently reSorted to in the federal courts and
notable efforts in the restraint OF Interstate
commerce, such as the TranS-M Missouri Freight
association and the Joint Traffic association.
have been successfully opposed ana sup
pressed.
Uniformity of legislation upon this subject
in the several states is much to be desired. 1t
is to be hoped that such uniformity founded
in "a wise ana just discrimination between what
is injurious and what is useful and necessary
in business operations may be obtained and
that means may be found for congress so to
supplement effective code of state legisla
tiol rs to make a complete system OF laws
tbraupbnpt Tinted States ADEQUATE
compel u generous observance of the salutary
rules to which have referred.
Our Foreign Relations.
A review of our relations with foreign states
is presented, with such recommendation as
are deemed appropriate
The contract of the Maritime Canal Company
of Nicaragua was declared forfei ed by the
Nicaraguan government on October 10, on the
ground of non-fullment within the ten years
term stipulated in the contract. The Maritime
Canal Company has lodged Il protest against
this action, alleging rights in the premises
which appear worthy of consideration.
The Nicaragua canal commission which had
neen made upon the work of eXamina tlon and
survey for u ship canal route across Nicara-
qua, having completed its labOrS and made it's
report was dissolved on May 81, and on June
10 Il new commission. known the iSthmian
commission. was organized for the purpose OF
examining the American 1Sthmus with view
to determining the most practicable and eaSi-
Dlc route for a ship canal across that iSthmus,
with It's probable cost and other essential de
tails. The work Will be prosecuted as eXpc-
earliest practicable date. The great import
ance of this work cannot be too often or too
strongly pressed upon the attention of con-
gresS In my message OF year ago expressed
my views OF the necessity of II canal which
would link the two great oceans, to which |
ayain invite your consideration. The reasons
then presented for early action are even
stronger now.
In view of disturbances in the populous prov
nccS of northern China, where are many of
our citizens, and Of the imminence of disorder
| near the capital and towards the seaboard, a
| guard OF marines was landed from the Boston
and stationed last winter in the legation com
pound at Picking. With the restoration OF
| order this protection was Withdrawn.
The interests of our citizens in that vast en-
pirC have not been neglected during the past
year. Adequate protection has been secured
for our missionaries, and some injuries TO Their
| property have been redressed.
| In my message to congress of December :,
| 1895, 1 urged that the recommendation which
| had been made to the speaker OF the house OF
| representatives by the secretary of the treas
| ury for AN appropriation for commission to
| study the commercial and industrial condi-
| tions in the Chinese empire ana report as 10
| the opportunities for and obstacles to the en-
| largCment OF markets in China for the raw
| products and manufactures of the United
| States. should receive at your hands the CON
| Sideration which It's Importance merited, but
! congress failed to take action. l now renew
| this recommendation, as the importance OF
| the subject has steadily grown since ii was
| first submitted to YOU
| This government has maintained an attitude
| Of neutrality in the unfortunate contest be-
| Africa. We have remained faithful to the pre-
| Cept of avoiding cntangling alliances as to af-
| fairs not of our direct concern. Had CiTCum-
| stances suggested that the parties to the quar-
| rel would nave welcomed any kindly express
| sion of the hope of the American people that
| war might be averted our good offices woulG
have been gladly rendered.
For the fourth time in the present decade {;
question has arisen with the government o
| Italy in regard 20 the lynching of Italian sub
Jects. The latest of these ucplorab!c events
| occurred at Tallulah, Louisiana, whereby five
| unfOrtunateS of Italian origin were taken from
| jail and hanged
The authorities OF the state and n repreSen-
| tatiye of the Italian embassy having separately
| investigated the occurrence. with dscrepan
| results. particularly as to the alleged citizen.
! ship of the victims, and it now appearing tina
| the state authorities had not been able to dis
| cover the v.olatOTs, an investigation has beer
| set on foot through the agency of the depart
| ment of state and is still in progress
| The arrangement under which Samoa wa
administered had proved impractiCaDle anC
unacceptable to all the powers concerned. 4
| satisfactory arrangement was concluded be
tween the governments of Germany anC
| England by virtue of which England retired
from Samoa in view of compcnSationS in otnc
directions and both powers renounced in favo
of the United States all their rights in reSTec
to that portion of the group lying to the east o