Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-12-11
WELL RECEIVED.

has President Rooseyelt's first mes
sage been well received. Those who
looked for something spectacular OF
OF an erratlc nature must be greatly
disappointed. Written in the style
of a man of letters he treats every
subject entertainingly and with that
vim and vigor for which he is noted.
| When he believes he is right not a
word is omitted to give emphasis to
his meaning or candor; in perplexing
problems, in which me wisest men
cannot agree, he is cautious and con-
sentative, the best evidence of states
manshlp. Generally speaking, how
ever, the president is fulsome and en-
phatic in his utterances.
His splendid tribute to the martyr
ed president exalts his own worth and
character. while the forceful langu-
age with which he depicts anarchy
and anarchists leaves no doubt in the
mind Of the reader as to his views.
In calling attention to the general
prosperity of the country he truth
fully says that law alone cannot bring
il about but mischievous laws can
easily destroy a..
On the question Of trusts the presi'
dent takes no uncertain stand. He
regards trusts as a serious social
problem to be handled in a way not
to interfere with legitimate combina-
ton OF capital. He recommends that
a law be passed comforting upon the
general government supervisory
control OF corporations engaged In in
ter-state business, and recommends
publicity as a remedy for the evils
arising from vast combinations OF cap
ital. While some may hold this i'm
practicable or that the exposition OF
profits earned would only increase
the antagonism of the people against
trusts. it would seem to be the first
step to take to ascertain to what ex-
tent the people are being harmed by
trusts. II the evil is largely imagi.
nary the people would like to know
that as well.
Upon the tariff question and reci-
procity the president is conservative
and cautious as he should be. He
says. nothing could be more unwise
than to disturb the business interests
of the country by a general tariff
change at this time" While the
president favors reciprocity and asks
for consideration Of the pending treat.
les. he does not urge it so strongly as
some would like. Such being the
case there seems to be little chance
of their receiving attention at this
session of congress.
The presidents views and recon-
mendations as regards labor should
be read by every toiler in America.
especially those in the west. He ear.
nestly recommends the re-enactment
Oi the Chinese exclusion law and pro.
lection from the presence in this
country of any laborers brought over
by contract, or those who, coming
freely, yet represent a standard oil
living so depressed that they can I'M
dcrsell our men in the labor market
and drag them to a lower level
Elsewhere w give the presidents
views in full OF the general question
Of labor. He deals with the great
problem in a fair and candid manner
without exhibiting any of the quail
ties of the demagogue. No one can
read his words and reach n other
conclusion than that he is the true
friend of the men who toll and that
he is eve ready to do what he can
for the betterment of their condition.
Yet he does not hesitate to say that
they have responsibilities as individ-
uals to meet and that much rests with
them in the settlement of the occa-
sional differences that arise between
capital and labor.
The west is especially pleased with
Mr.. Roosevelt's attitude as regards
national irrigation. While it fire.
~quently occIrs that congress pays lit
tie attention to the views and recon
mendations of the president, and it
may not be possible to secure an APP
preparation for the Inauguration of
this work from the present congress.
II is a great advantage to have the in
tluencc Of the president, especially a
president so well informed as TO the
needs of the people in the arid reg
ion. The desired end will be accom-
plished finally. and agitation is always
the forerunner of any achievement
of this magnitude. The president
says irrigation works should be built
by the national government and lands
reclaimed by them should be reserv-
ed by the government for actual set,
tiers. and the cost of construction
should, so far as possible, be repaid
by the land reclaimed. The presi-
dent does not advise the repeating of
land laws as a preliminary step. He
has had experience enough to know
that not all OF the lands can be reach
ed or saved by irrigation and admits
that the initiatory work will be some
what experimental. He takes a prac-
teal view of the matter and his ideas
will be endorsed by the people Of the