The Monticellonian., 1901-12-06

chase those surplus products by giving us something in return. Their ability to pur- chase our products should as far as pos sibie be secured by so arranging our tar fir to enable us to take from them those products which we can use without harm 10 our own industries and labor or the use of which will be of marked benefit 10 us.
 .'l ask the attention of the senate to the reciprocity treaties lnid before it by my predecessor
 He urges the adoption of a policy that will result tn the upbui!Ging Of our mer- chant marine 10 meet the Ct emands of our expanding commerce, but refrains from making any definite recommendations ds 10 what this policy shall be
 He also urges the enactment of such financial legislation as will better safe guard against the deranging influences of commercial crises and financial panics, and such as will make the currency of the country more responsive to the demands of domestic trade and commerce. lie points out the fact that the receipts from duties on exports and internal taxes far exceed the governments expenditures, but counsels against a reduction that will cause a deficit. and in the same connection urges a strict economy in expenditures so far as our national needs will permit.
 Interstate Commerce.
 He comments upon the complaints en- tered against the management of the rail- ways for their alleged discrimination in the matter of freight rates against the small shippers and certain localities, and says:
 "The act should be amended The rail- way is public servant. Its rates should be just to and open to all shippers alike The government should see to il that within it's jurisdiction this is so and should provide a speedy, inexpensive and effective remedy to that end. At the same time it must not be forgotten that our railways are the arteries through which the commercial lifeblood of this nation flows Nothing could be more foolish than the enactment of legislation which would unnecessarily interfere with the deVelop, ment and operation of these commercial agencies
 Irrigation.
 A considerable portion of the message is given to the subject of irrigation for the arid lands ot the west ana he urges govern. ment assistance in perfecting system or irrigation that will reclaim these waste lands and make them habItable for set tiers He believes the government should virtually control the water rights or the streams affording the water for Irrigation purposes, and should construct reservoirs for this purpose. Of this he says;
 The government should construct and maintain these reservoirs as it does other public works. Where their purpose is to regulate the flow of streams the water should be turned freely into the channels in the dry season to take the same course under the same laws as the natural How.
 The Colonies.
 He advocates reciprocal trade relations for Cuba that will afford that island market for her products, and urges this on the grounds of morality and national interest
 For the Philippines he recommends much in the way of legislation but again counseIs caution in the enactment ot II. He says We cannot leave the islands at the present time. but that It is our duty To give to the FilipinoS such an administra- tion as will fit them for self-goYernment in the future. He desires such legisla- tion Us will permit of the granting Of franchises in the islands and so develop the na tural resources ot the group, and says of this necessity for development:
 Not to permit this Is to Go a wrong to the Philippines. The franchises must be granted and the business permitted only under regulations which will guarantee the islands against any kind of improper eX- pioitatioH. But the vast natural wealth of the islands must be developed. and the capital willing to develop ii must be give n the opportunity. me neid must pc l4tQWh avn open 10 individual enterprise, Whlch mas been the real factor in the deVelopme mt ot every region over which our flag has flown IL is urgently necessary to enact suitable laws dealing with general transporta ton. mining. banking, currency, nomesteads ana the use and ownership Of the lahCS ana timber These laws will give free play to industrial enterprise, and the commerce. development which will surely follow viii afford to the people of the islands the best proofs of the sincerity of our desire to aid them
 He also urges the immediate eonstruc- ticn Of Pacific cable to connect Hawai- and t'.e Philippines with this country as a co ,nmercial. political and military ne- cessity.
 1nS lsthminn Canal.
 He comments upon the necessity for the immediate construction of an isth- milan waterway. and says the way has been prepared for it's construction by the conclusion of new treaty with England on the subject
 Of the new treaty recently concluded with England he says; - am glad to be a ble 10 announce to you that our negotia- tions on this subject with Great Britain. conducted on both sides in spirit of triendliness and mutual good will and re- spect have resulted in my being able to lay before the senate treaty which if ratified will enable us to begin preparations for an isthmian canal at any time ard which guarantees to this nation every right that it has ever asked in connection with the canal In this treaty the old Clayton Bulwer treaty. so long reeognized as in adequate to supply the base for the con- struction and maintenance of q necessarily American ship canal. is abrogated. It spe- cially provides that the United States alone shall do the work of building and assume the responsibility of safeguarding the canal and shall regulate its neutral use by all nations on terms of equality without the guarantee or interference of any outside nation from any quar- ter The signed treaty will at once be laid before the senate. and if ap- give effect to the. advantages it secures us by providing for the building of the canal.
 The Army and Navy.
 For the navy he recommends con- tinued increase in ships as in keeping among the nations of the world He also recommends an increase in the officers and men of the navy, that the ships now building may he placed in commission as soon as completed, without retiring any of the old ones He urges this as a means of performing our international duties a $ well safeguard for our in- terrational rights. He believes that all Of our ships should be kept in commission as a means of training officers and men for times Of emergency
 of an increase. bot recommends the es- tablishment of staff department and a system by which there may be an elim- inatinu grade by grade, of those who seem unfit to render efficient service in the next grade He also recommends the reduction of the paper work of the army. known cially for the army in the field. Tn the same connection he recommends the adop, ton of new militia laws which will rec ognize the national guard of the several states and place them upon an equal foot ing with the army when called into the service. by which the ohliga- tions and duties of both shall be the same. as well as the equipment and discipline.
 Civil Service.
 He asks for such legislation az VIII piace the employees of the District of Columbia in the classified service, and also the em- ployes in the insular service.
 Among other recommendations Is one asking for legislation that will improve the consular service: one that will cease 10 the Indian as a member Of a tribe but as an individual. and dlstribu- tion of the tribal funds. For the Indians he also asks for the establishment of in dustrial schools and the stepping, of the issue of rations He asks liberal appro- priation for the Louisiana Purchase expo- sition and an appropriation to cover the expense of transferring the government exhibits at Buffalo 10 the exposition at Charleston. which the Charleston exposi- tion has paid
 Another recommendation Is for a per- manent census bureau. which. he says.