The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-12-07

The III essage expresses uncertainty
as to the future for our trade with
| Germany. Unless the restrictions
/ imposed by the new meat inspection
bill be modified our commerce in this
particular may be entirely destroy ed.
In view of possible friction in the
operation of the modus vivendi, the
speedy establishment of a frontier
line, to which we are entitled undec
the Russo-American treaty for tile
eession of Alaska, is recommended.
In regard to the Nicaraguan canal,
the President announces that the
| Nicarsguan Government shows a dis
position to adopt measures to pro-
mote the waterway, after having de-
clared the SO called Err e. Cragin treaty
| void. The convention with Great
Britain to remove any objections
which might arise out of the Clayton
l-Bulwer treaty to the construction of
the canal is commended to the early
| attention of the Senate. In other
words, attention is called to the
necessity of ratifying the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty.
| Only few lines are consumed in
| treating of the Turkish relations, the
President saying: I'VE await the
fulfillment of the promise of the Sui
tan to make reparation for the in-
juries suffered by American citizens in
Armenia and else where in the Turk
ish Empire"
On the subject of national finances
the President has an opportunity to
| treat the matter in some detail. He
shows that for year ended June 30
last there was a surplus in the Treas
ury of SIS, 527, 060. IS; that during the
| same period the war cost $134, TIA, 767. 10
or sos, 066, 1866 less than during the
preceding similar period and the
navy cost $50. 953, OFT. Il, or 81, 9S9, O26, 90,
less than during 1899 AT this point
the President makes his only refer
ence to the money question. He
says: 1t will be the duty, as l am
| sure it will be the disposition, of the
| Congress to provide whatever further
| legislation is needed to insure the
| continued parity under all conditions
| between our two forms of metallic
morey, silver and gold"
Touching the disposition of the
surplus, the President recommends a
| reduction of internal revenue war
taxes in the sum of $50, 100000. This
reduction should be secured by the
remission of those taxes which ex-
herisnce has shown to be the most
| burdensome to the industries of the
people," the message says. The in
clusion ia the reduction is specially
urged of the legacy tax on requests
for public uses of literary education
al or charitable character.
The President urges immediate
action to promote American shipping
| and own trade abroad, on which he
| remarks: '"The remarkable growth
OF our steel industries the progress of
sbipbuilding for the domestic trade
and our steadily maintained expendi.
lures for the navy have created an
| opportunity to place the United
States in the first rank of commercial
maritime powers"
The recommendations as to trusts
are almost identical with those made
a year ago. Indeed, he calls attention
to his previous message, adding: Re
straint upon such combinations as
are injurious and which are within
Federal jurisdiction should be
promptly applied by Congress.
Much of the Philippine chapter is
reminiscent, but declares that late
reports from the Commissioners
show q yet more encouraging ad-
vance toward good government in
the interest of humanity and with
the aim of building up an enduring
selfsupporting aud self.administering
community"
After reviewing the circumstances
of the constitutional convention in
Cuba, the President announces that
| when the convention concludes its
labors we will transmit to Congress
the constitution for such action as it
| may deem advisable.
The necessity for a Pacific cable
| between the United States and
Hawaii, with extension to Manila, is
| urged anew.
As to the army, the President
recommends minimum of 60, 600 and
maximum of 100000 men. "Includ.
ed in this number authority should
be given to raise native troops in the
Philippines up to $4,000, which the
Taft Commission believes will be more
effective in detecting and suppressing
guerrillas, assassins and ladrones than
our own soldiers
On the subject of apportionment
the President says simply: "Irecom-
mend that the Congress at its present
session will apportion representation
among the several States as provided
by the Constitution.
Attention is called afresh to the
necessity for amendment of the alien
contract law, and important features
of the rightful application of the
eight hour law for the benefit of
labor and the principle of arbitration
| are commended to Congress.
Additional appropriations are urged
for the use of the Civil Service Com
mission; the necessity of Hall of
ublic Records in Washington is
pointed out, and Congress is urged
to participate in the celebration of
John Marshall Day on February 4
next, as we'll az in the centennial an
niversary of the establishment Of the
seat of Government in the District Of