The Saint Paul globe., 1900-09-10
Deals Briefly With Many Questions, but Gives at
Great Length an Account of His Philippine
Island Stewardship
Claims There Has Never Yet Been Time When the
United States Could Have WithdraWnThe
Financial Fight of 1896, He Says
Is On Again

tation charge now paid to foreigners.
nave called attention of congress to this
subject in my several annual messages
In that of Dec. 6, 1857, I said
Most desirable from every standpoint
OF national interest and patriotism is the
effort to extend our foreign commerce.
To this end our merchant marine should
be improved and enlarged. We should do
our full 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 Dec. 5, 1899, 1 said:
Our national development will be one
sided and satisfactory so long as the
remarkable growth of our inland indus
tries remains unaccompanied by progress
on the seas There is no lack of consti-
tutional authority for legislation which
shall give to the country maritime
strength commensurate with its industrial
achievements and with its rank among
the nations of the earth.
The past year has recorded exceptional
activity with our shipyards, and the
promises of continual prosperity in ship
building are abundant. Advanced legisla-
ton for the protection of our seamen has
been enacted. Our coast trade under reg
ulations wisely framed at the beginning
of the government and SINCE shows re-
suits for the past fiscal year unequaled
in our records or those of any other pow
er. We shall fail to realize our oppor-
tunltes, however, If we complacently re-
gard only matters at home and blind our
selves to the necessity of securing our
share in the valuable carrying trade of
the world.
1 now reiterate these views
SOUTH AMERICAN CANAL.
A subject of immediate Importance to
our country. is the completion of great
waterway of commerce between the At
lant.c 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 an
neXation of the Hawaiian islands and the
expansion of our influence and trade in
the Pacific.
Our national policy more imperatively
than ever calls for its completion and
control by this government, and 1t is be-
lieved that the next session of congress-
after receiving the full report of the com
mission appointed under the act approved
March g. 1889. will make provisions for the
sure accomplishment of this great work
THE TRUST EVIL.
Combinations of capital which control
the market in commodities necessary to
ing natural and ordinary competition,
thus enhancing prices to the general con-
sumner, are obnoxious to the common
law and the public welfare. They are
dangerous conspiracies against the public
good and should be made the subject of
prohibitory or penal legislation Publicity
will be helpful influence to check this
era1 states should be secured. Discrirni-
nation between what is injurious and
what is useful and necessary in business
operations is essential to the wise and ef-
fectiVe treatment of this subject. Honest
cooperation of capital is necessary to
meet new business conditions and extend
our rapidly increasing foreign trade, but
conSplracles and combinations intended
to restrict business, create monopolies and
control prices should be effectively re-
strained.
SERVICE TO LABOR.
The best service which can be rendered
to labor is to afford it an opportunity
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
satisfactory to American workingmen
than many preceding years. Any change
of the present industrial or financ al
policy of the government would be dis
astrouS to their highest interests. With
foreign market for American products,
employment should continue to wait upon
labor, and with the present gold standard
the workfngman is secured against pay
ment for his labor in a deprecated cur
rency. For labor, a short day is better
than a short dollar; one will tighten the
R1rdens, the other lessons the rewards
of toll. The one will promote content
ment and independence; the other penury
and want The wages of labor should
be adequate to keep the home in comfort
and economy, lay something by for the
days of infirmity and old age.
CIVIL SERVICE
Practically civil service reform nasal
ways had the support and encouragement
OF the Republican party. The future of
the merit system is sare in its hands.
During the present administration as
occasions have arisen for modification or
amendment in the existing civil service
law and rules they have been made I'm
n oFr7n 1<I Ir1raT r.
by executive order under date of Nav
29, 1899, having for their prime pal pur--
pose the exception from competitive ex-
animation OF certain places involving
strictly confidential, scientific or exec
might better be filed either by non.
competitive examinations or by other
tests of fitness in the discretion of the
appointing officer. 1t is gratifying that
the experience of more than a year has
INDICATED these changes, in the marked
Improvement of the public service
The merit system, as far as practicable
IS made the basis for appointments to
ONCE nee in our new territory.
grateful to the soldiers, sailors and
MARINES ma who have in every time of con-
met Tought their country's battles and
defended its honor. The survivors and
the WIDOWS and orphans of those who
nave fallen are justly entitled to receive
the generous and considerate care of the
nauon. Few are now left of those who
fought In the Mexican war, and, while
many of the veterans of the civil war are
still spared to us, their numbers are
rapidly diminishing, and age and inf1rm-
ity are increasing their dependence
These with the soldiers of the Spanish
war, will not be neglected by their CRATE
ful countrymen. The pension laws have
been liberal. They should be Justly adj
m1nistered, and will be- Preference Should
be given to the soldiers, sailors and
marines, their widows and orphans. with
respect to employment In the public sery-
ice. -
POSSESSION OF CUBA.
We have been in possession of Cuba
since the 1st of January, 1899 We have
restored order and established domestic
tranquility. We have red the starving.
clothed the naked, and ministered to the
sick. We have improved the sanitary
condition of the island We have stimus
lated industry, introduced public educa-
| ton, and taken full and Comprehensive
enumeration Of the inhabitants. The
qualification of electors has been settled
and under 1t officers have been chosen
for all the municipalities of Cuba. These
local governments are now in alton
administered by the people, Our military
esta blishment has been, reduced from SAG :
600 to less than $1,000. An election has