The Portland daily press., 1900-09-10
FOREIGN COMMERCE.
The Necessity for Building the NicnrA-
qua Canal.

Ninety-one per cent of our exports and
imports are now carried by foreign ships.
For ocean transportation we pay annual
ly to foreign ship owners over $165, ,00D, 600.
We ought to wn the ships for our carry
ing trade with the world and we ought to
/ build them in American ship yards and
man them with American sailors. Our
own citizens should receive the transport
alton charges now paid to foreigners. l
have called the attention of Congress to
this subject in my several annual mes
sages. In that of December 8, 1897,
said:
Most desirable from every standpoint
of national interest and patriotism is the
effort to extend our foreign commerce.
10 this end our merchant marine should
/ be improved and enlarged, We should do
our 1uIl share of the carrying trade of
the world. We do not do it now. We
should be the laggard no longer.
In my message of December 5, 1892 1
said:
"Our national development will be one
sided and unsatisfactory so long as the
remarkable growth of our inland indus
tries remains unaccOmplished by progress
on the seas. There is no lack of cOnstl-
/ tuti0nal authority for legislation which
shall give TO the country maritime
strength commensurate with its industri-
/ al achievements and with It's rank among
the nations OF the earth.
'"rhe past year has recorded exception
al activity in our shlpyards, ana the
! promises of continual prosperity in ship
/ building are abundant. Advanced legisl-
alton for the protection Of our seamen has
/ been enacted. Our coast trade under
regulations wisely framed at the begin
ming OF the government and since, shows
results for tn past fiscal year unequalled
in our records or those OF any other pow
er. We shall fail to realize our opportu-
mites, however, ii we comp placently regard
| only matters at home ana blind ourselves
to the necessity of securing our share in
the valuable carrying trade Of the world.
/ now reiterate these views.
A subject of immediate Importance to
our country is the completion of a great
waterway of commerce between the At
lantic and Pacific. The construction Of
a maritime canal is now more than ever
indispensable to that intimate and ready
communication between our eastern and
western seapOrts demanded by the annex
alton of the Hawaiian islands and the ex-
| pansion of our influence and trade in the
Pacific.
THE TRUSTS.
Our national policy more imperatively
than ever calls for its completion and
control by this government; and it is be-
lieyed that the next session Of Congress,
after receiving the full report OF the COM
mission appointed under the act approved
March 3, 1899, win make provisions for
the sure accomplishment OF this great
work.
Combinations of capital which control
the market in commodities necessary to
i the general use OF the people by suppress
ing natural and ordinary competition,
thus enhancing prices, to the general
! consumer are obnoxious to the common
law and the puhifn vvnlforn tIhpv ara
dangerous conspiracies against the pub
| lie good and should be made the su biecb
Of prohibitory penal legislation. Public
ity Will be helpful influence to check the
evil. Uniformity of legislation in the
! several states should be secured. Dis
elimination between what is injurious
and what is useful and necessary IN busi-
ness operations is essential TO the wise
and effective treatment of this subject.
Honest cooperation of capital is neces-
sary to meet new business conditions
and extend our rapidly increasing foreign
trade, but conspi racies and com binations
intended TO restrict business, create
monopoiies and control prices should be
effectively restrained.
The best service which can be rendered
TO labor is to afford it an opportunity for
steady and remunerative employment,
and give it every encouragement for ad-
vancement The policy that subserves
this end is the true, American policy. The
past three years have been more satisfac-
! tory to American WOrkingmem than
many preceding years. Any change Of
the present industrial or financial policy
of the government would be disastrous
to their highest interests. With prosper
ity at home and an increasing foreign
market for American products, employ
ment should continue to wait upon Ia
Dor, and with the present gold sta ndard
the Workingman is secured against pay
ments for his labor in a deprecated cur
renoy. For labor, a short day il better
than a short dollar; one will Tighten the
burdens; the oUher lessons
THE REWARDS OF TOLL.
The one win promote contentment and
independence; the other psnury and
want. The wages of labor should be ade-
buate to keep the home in comfort, edu-
cate the children and, with thrift and
economy, lay something by for the days
of infrmity and old age.
Practical civil service reform has al
ways had the support and encourage e.
ment of the Republican party. Thesfu-
ture OF the merit system is safe In its
| han Is,
During the present administration as
| occasions have arisen Tor modification
or amendment in the existing civil SER
vice law and rules they have been made.
! Important amendments were promulgat-
/ ed by executive order under date OF May
20, 1899, having for their principal pur-
pose the exception from competitive ex-
animation of certain places involving
fiduciary responsibilities or duties of
strictly confidential, scientific or execu-
tive character, which it was thought
might better be filed either by non -com-
petitive examination or by other tests OF
fitness in the discretion of the appoint
ing officer. 1t is gratifying that the ex-