Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1901-12-05

| on our ships is far superior to the standard OF
| living on the ships Of our commercial rivals.
| "Our government should take such action
as will remedy these inequalities. The Amer
lean merchant marine should be restored TO
/ THE Act of March II, 1900 intended un-
| equivocally to establish gold as the standard
money and to maintain at parity Herewith
| all forms of money medium in with US,
| has been shown to be timely and Judi cious.
| The price OF our government bonds in the
worlds market, when compared with the
| price of similar obligations issued by other
| nauons, is hattering tribute to our public
credit This condition it is eminently desir
able to maintain.
I'm many respects the National Banking
| Law furnishes sufficient liberty for the proper
exercise OF the banking function but there
| seems to be need of better safeguards against
the deranging influence of commercial crises
an ana mr. financial panies Moreover, the currency
| to the demands of our domestic trade and
| commerce.
! Reduction of Revenues.
The collections from duties on imports and
| internal taxes continue to exceed the ordi-
nary expenditures. The utmost care should
| be taken not to reduce the revenues that
thre will be any possibility of deficit: but.
means should be adopted which will bring the
revenues more nearly within the limit OF our
Il call special attention to the need of strict
economy in expenditures. The fact that our
national needs forbid US to be niggardly in
providing whatever is actually necessary to
our well-being, should make us doubly care
| full to husband our national resources as
scrupulous avoidance of anything like waste
| full or reckless expenditure.
Regulation of Railroads.
In 1887 measure enacted for the reg
ulation of interstate railways, commonly
! cardinal provisions of that act were that
| railway rates should be just and reasonable
dities should be accorded equal treatment. A
commission was created and endowed with
what were supposed to be the necessary pow
| ers to execute the provisions of this act.
That law was largely 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 public servant. Its rates should be just
to and open to all shippers alike. The gov
eminent should see to it that within its juris-
diction this is so and should provide a speedy.
inexpensive, and effective remedy to that end
Att 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 en-
actment of legislation which would unneces-
sarily interfere with the development and
operation OF these commercial agencies. The
subject is one of great importance and calls
for 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
systems Tor the reclamation OF the arid lands
Of the West. OF the water rights it says:
I'm 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 doctrine Of perpetual state ownership of
water.
'tOur aim should be not simply to reclaim
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
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-
sary for the nation to cooperate with the
several arid states in proportion as these
states by their legislation and administration
show themselves fit to receive it.
Development of Hawaii.
''In 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 well-being Of the average home
maker must aUOrQ the true test OF the
healthy development of the islands. The
land policy should nearly 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 territory within our
continental limits. The island is thriving as
efficiently and honestly. Its people are 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 carefully
and jealousy considered the welfare of
any other portion of our country. We have
given them the great gift of free for
their products to the markets of the United
States. | ask the attention of the Congress
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 firm footing that before the
present session of the Congress closes this
will be an accomplished fact. Cuba will then
start as her own mistress; and to the beauti-
full Queen of the Antilles, as she unfolds this |
new page of her destiny, we extend our
heartiest greetings and good wishes. Else
where l have discussed the question of reci-
procity. In the case of Cuba, however, there |
are weighty reasons of morality and of ma
tional interest why the policy should be held
to have a peculiar application, and most
earnestly ask your attention to the wisdom,
indeed to the vital need, of providing for
substantial reduction in the tariff duties on
Cuban imports into the United States. Cuba
mas in her constitution dIlrnleQ what we de-
sired, that she should stand in international
matters, in closer and more friendly relations
with than with any other power; and we
are bound by every consideration of honor
and expediency to pass commercial measures
in the interest of her material well-being.
The Philippine Problem.
I'm the Philippines our problem is larger
They are very rich tropical islands, inhabi-
ted by many varying tribes. representing
widely different stages OF progress toward |
civilization effort Is helm |
these people upward along the stony and DIFF |
ficult path that leads to self-government. We |
hope to make administration Of the is |
lands honorable to our nation by making it |
of the highest benefit to the Filipinos them |
selves: and as an earnest of what we intend |
to do, We point to what We have done. AL |
ready a greater measure of material prosper |
ity and of governmental honesty and efici |
ency has been attained in the Philippines |
than ever before in their history.
I'm dealing with the Philippine people we |
must show both patience and strength. for |
bearance and steadfast resolution. Our aim |
is high. We do not desire to do for the is |
landers merely what has elsewhere been done |
for tropic peoples by even the best foreign
governments. W hope to do for them what |
has never before been done for any people |
of the tropics-to make them fit for self |
government after the fashion Of the really |
free nations.
ITO leave the islands at this time would |
mean that they would fall into welter of |
murderous anarchy. Such deserton of duty |
on our part would be a crime against hu- |
marity The character of Governor Taft and |
of his associates and Subordlnates IS PROOF, |
il such be needed of the sincerity of our eff |
fort to give the islanders a constantly in |
creasing measure of self-government. exactly |
as fast as they show themselves fit to exer- |
else it. Since the civil government was es- |
tablshed not an appointment has been made |
in the islands with any reference to consider |
atoms of political influence, or to aught else |
save the fitness of the and the needs |
of the service.
There are still troubles ahead in the is
lands The insurrection has become affair |
Of local banditti and marauders, who deserve |
no higher regard than the brigands of por- |
tons OF the old world. Encourageme d- |
rect or indirect, to these insurrectos stands |
on the same footing encouragement to hos |
tile Indians in the days when We still had In |
dian wars. AS will do everything in our J
power for the Filipino who is peaceful, We |
will take the sternest measures with the |
Filipinos who follow the path of the insur- |