Free press., 1901-12-07

for which We must find markets ehroad 10
seeure se tnese markets We can utilize existing
needed for the purpose Of protection or In suy
case where the article is not produced here
revenue, as giving US something to offer in
exchange for what we ask The cordial re-
lations with other nations which are so de-
sraole VIII naturally be promoted by the
course thus required by our own Interests
The natural line of development for a
polcy or reciprocity will be in connection
with those OF our productions which no long
er require all OF the support once needed
70 establish them upon a sound basis, and
with those others where either because of
natural or of economic causes we are beyond
the reach of successful Competition.
I ask the attention of the Senate to the
decesSor.
Our Merchant Marine.
The condition Of the American merchant
remedial action by the Congress. It is dis
credItable 10 US as a Nation that our mer-
IN coparigo9 fo fat De De utterly
We overtop in other forms of business.
american shipping is under certain great
disadvantages when put in competition with
the shipping of foreign countries. Many of
the fast foreign steamships, at = speed Of
fourteen Knots or above, are subsidized: and
all our ships, sailing vessels and steamers
alike, cargo carriers of slow speed and mail
carriers of high speed have to meet the
fact that the original cost of building Ameri-
can ships is greater than is the case abroad :
that the wages paid Ameriean ofHcers and
seamen are very much higher than those paid
the officers and seamen of foreign competing
countries; and that the standard Of living
on our ships is far superior to the standard OF
living on the ships OF commercial rivals
Our government should take such action
as viii remedy these inequalities The Amer
lcan merchant marine should be restored to
the ocean
The Act of March Il, 1900. intended un-
equivocally to establish gold as the standard
money and to maintain at a parity Herewith
all forms of money medium in use with u.s.
mas been shown to be timely and judicious.
The price of our government bonds in the
worlds market. when compared with the
price of similar obligations issued by other
na,Ions, is a fattering tribute 10 our public
credit This condition it is eIninently desir-
able TO maintain
In many respects the National Banking
Law furnishes sufficient liberty for the proper
exercise OF the banking function but there
the deranging influence of commercial crises
and financial panics- Moreover the currency
of the country should be made responsive
to the demands of our domestic trade and
commerce
Reduction of Revenues.
The collections from duties imports and
internal taxes continue to exceed the ordi-
nary expenditures The utmost care should
be taken not to reduce the revenues so that
thre will be any possibility Of a deficit: but,
after providing against any such contingency
means should be adopted which will bring the
revenues more nearly within the limit of cur
actual needs
Il call special attention to the need of strict
economy in expenditures. The fact that our
national needs forbid to be niggardly in
our well-being. should make doubly care
full to husband national resources, as
scrupulous avoidance of anything like waste
ful or reckless expenditure.
Regulation of Railroads.
In 1887 a measure was enacted for the reg
ulation of interstate railways, commonly
known the Interstate Commerce Act. The
cardinal provisions of that act were that
railway rates should be just and reasonable
and that all shippers localities, and commo-
should accorded pOn31 a
commission created and endowed with
what were supposed to be the necessary pow
ers to execute the provisions of this act
That law was largely an experiment. Ex-
perience has shown the wisdom of its pur-
poses, but has also shown, possibly that some
OF its requirements are wrong, certainly that
the means devised for the enforcement of its
provisions are defective
The act should be amended The railway
is a public servant. Its rates should be just
to and open to all shippers alike. The gov
erument should see to it that within its jurs-
inexpensive, and effective remedy to that end
Atthe same time it must not be forgotten that
the commercial lifeblood Of this nation flows
Nothing could be more foolish than the en-
sarily interfere with the development and
operation of these commercial agencies. The
subject is one of great Importance and calls
Tor the earnest attention OF the Congress.
The message points out the value of the
American forests and the necessity for their
conservation, and urges the construction and
maintenance of reservoirs and irrigating z
systems for the reclamation of the arid lands
of the West. OF the water rights it says:
''In the arid states the only right to water
which should be recognized IS that of use. In
irrigation this right should attach to the
land reclaimed and be inseparable therefrom-
Granting perpetual water rights to others
than users, without compensation to the
public, is open to all the objections which
apply to giving away perpetual franchises to
the public utilities of cities A few Of the
Western states have already recognized this
and have incorporated in their constitutions
The. fa =
water.
''Our aim should be not simply to reclaim
the largest area of land and provide homes
for the largest number of people, but to
create for this new industry the best possible
social and industrial conditions; and this re-
quires that we not only understand the ex-
listing situation, but avail ourselves of the
best experience of the time in the solution
of its problems A careful study should be
made, both by the nation and the states, of
the irrigation laws and conditions here and
abroad. Ultimately it will probably be neces-
several arid states in proportion as these
states by their legislation and administration
show themselves ht to receive it,
Development of Hawaii.
I'm Hawaii our aim must be to develop the
territory on the traditional American lines.
We do not wish region of large cities titled
by cheap labor; We wish a healthy American
community of men who themselves till the
farms they own All our legislation for the
islands should be shaped with this end in
view; the weIl-being of the average home
healthy development of the islands The
land policy should as nearly as possible be
modelled on our homestead system.
1T is a pleasure to say that it is hardly
more necessary to report as to Porto Rico
than as to any state or territory within our
continental limits. The island is thriving as
never before, and it is being administered
efficiently and honestly Its people now
enjoying liberty and order under the pro-
lection of the United States. and upon this
fact we congratulate them and ourselves.
Their material welfare must be as carefully
and jealOusiy considered as the welfare of
any other portion Of country We have
given them the great gift of free access for
their products to the markets of the United
States. 1 ask the attention of the Congress
to the need of legislation concerning the pub
lie lands of Porto Rico
Progress in Cuba.
''In Cuba such progress has been made to-
ward putting the independent government of
the island upon a firm footing that before the
present session of the Congress closes this
will be accomplished fact. Cuba will then
start her mistress; and to the beauti-
full Queen of the Antilles, she unfolds this
new page of her destiny, we extend our
heartiest greetings and good wishes Else
where ! have discussed the question Of reci-
procity. In the case of Cuba. however. there
are weighty reasons OF morality and OF ma
tionaI interest why the policy should be held
to have a peculiar application, and l most
earnestly ask your attention to the wisdom,
indeed to the vital need, OF providing for q
substantial reduction in the tariff duties on