Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-12-05
President Roosevelt's Message.

The tirst message OF fresluent hoose-
welt was submitted to Congress on
Tuesday. Although he discusses ma
ny subjects of public Importance, the
President has no startling recommen-
dations or suggestions, nor does he say
anything'to which his party may OBJ
ject.
He refers to the assassination OF
President Mckinley, and advises that
no anarchist should be permitted to
remain in this country, but should be
deported. The President takes up the
subject of trusts, but thinks that action
relating to these combinations should
be cautiously considered. He says:
The large corporations. commonly
called trusts, though organized IN one
State, always do business in many
States, often doing very little business
in the State where they are incorpo-
rated. There is utter lack of uniform
ity in the State laws about them; and
as no State has any exclusive interest
in or power over their acts, it has In
practice proved impossible to get ade-
ouate regulation through State action.
Therefore, in the interest of the whole
people, the nation should, without In
terfering with the power OF the States
in the matter itself, also assume power
of supervision and regulation over all
corporations doing an interstate busl-
ness. This is especially true where
the corporation derives portion Of
its wealth from the existence of some
mouopolistic element or tendency IN
its business. There would be no hard,
ship in such supervision; banks are
subject to it, and in their case it is
now accepted as simple matter OF
course. + l believe that a
law can be framed which will enable
the National Government to exercise
control along the lines above indicated
profting by the experience gained
through the passage and admlnlstra-
ton of the interstate commerce act
If, however, the judgment Of the Con-
gress is that it lacks the constitution
al power so pass such an act, then a
constitutional amendment should be
submitted to confer the power.
The President favors reciprocity,
but does not believe there should be
any general change in thepfesent tariff
laws. He favors the restriction ofim-
migration. Not only would he re-
enact the laws excluding Chinese Ia
borers, but he would apply an educa'
tional and economic test to Europeans
who come to the United States. He
thinks that the shipping interests
should be built up, and here's the
chance for the subsidy to the rich ship
owners. He advises that new cabl-
net officer be created, to be known as
the secretary Of commerce and indus
tries. He favors the reclamation OF
arid lands in the West by vast sys-
tenn of irrigation, and also suggests
government action looking to the pres
ervation Of forest lands.
Referring to foreign affairs, he says
our government intends to abide by
the Monroe doctrine and insist upon
it as the sure means of securing the
peace of the Western Hemisphere.
There are still troubles ahead in the
Philippine Islands, he says, and in
dealing with the people of these is
lands we must show patience and
strength, forbearance and resolution.
We must give them opportunity for
industrial development. The Presi-
dent wants the work of increasing the
Navy kept up; more battleships must
be built; 5000 additional seamen and
marines should be provided and ma
tional navy reserve established. The
Army is big enough at present.
He thinks cable should be laid to
Hawaii and the Philippines. A canal
across the isthmus connecting North
and South America should be COM
menced as soon as possible. He ad,
vocates the civil service laws and
stands for merit as the chief recon-
mendation in making appointments
He desires liberal appropriations fol
the National Museum and the Zoolog.
ical Park, and speaks favorably Of the
fairs at Charleston and st. Louis. The
President concludes his message with
the declaration that 1--WE are at peace
with the nations of mankind, and We
firmly intend that our policy shall be
such as to continue unbroken these
international relations Of mutual re.
spect and good will"