Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-03
THE MESSAGE.


The first public message Of President
Roosevelt transmitted to congress to-
day contained nothing of surprise
since the new presidents views upon
national problems were very we'll known
before he became chief executive of the
land and the policies of the Mckinley
administration, which he had sworn to
continue, had become well established.
The message, however, was evidently
written by Mr. Roosevelt himself and
contains many suggestions that are all
his own 1t is breezy document COM
pared with many state papers in that
the literary style is easy and entertain
irg and there Is a positiveness about
each paragraph that is characteristic of
the man who penned it.
The presidents tribute to his prede-
cessor bespeaks deep feeling on his part.
He handles the anarchist without gloves
and recommends that the crime of Cool
gosz be made treason punishable by the
severest penalty of federal court
Trusts are treated at length, but the
president sees in them no bug bear. He
says that the time has come when these
Institutions have outgrown our present
laws and that as many a corporation
has become national In its scope the
statutes regulating it should be made
national. Reciprocity ard trade treaties,
the president says, are urgent in that
the continued prosperity of this country
demands an enlargement Of foreign
markets. He says that we owe moral
obligation to Cuba to reduce our tariffs
On Cuban sugar and thinks that it
would also be commercial gain to US
to do so.
The interoceanic canal, the president
says, must be built and he congratu-
lates the country on the extremely ia
vorable treaty arrangement with Great
Britain. The navy is highly commended
ard congress is urged to be liberal in
building 1t up. The army, which the.
president has had reason to know to be
badly in need of reform. comes in for
discussion in detail. President Roose-
welt wants the promotions from the line
tc be more frequent and upon merit
alone, so that in time OF war corps Of
commanders will be in readiness to take
charge of an enlarged army. He says
distinctly that the army is large enough
as it is for times of peace. but should
be made more efficient Regular drills
by large bodies of troops are recon-
mended
The message contains nothing OF a
startling nature. Everybody in the
United States is happy and the goose
hangs high. The president does not ex-
pect general revision of the tariff nor
does he suggest 1t. Certain reciprocity
treaties have been negotiated with
view to charging American trade and
these he thinks ought Il, be ratified. He
=
Is particularly expressive about the
merit system and assures the country
that all appointments iii the army, navy,
foreign service and wherever possible
will be made without political favor and
advises congress to pla'.e all of the Dis
trict of Columbia under the civil service
regulations. 1t is a fine message in that
1t is careful yet positive, clear and fear
less on all important problems, yet not
dangerous in any form Of expression. 1t
comes from the heart of man with a
clear head. good digestion and a strong
arm; it is manly sort ola message.
CONDITIONS IN PORTO RICO.