West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-12-19
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
a synopsis OF Roosevelts Hecomm G nda.
lions TO the Fifty.Seventh
Congress.

can view. point and is couched in
language of unusual simplicity and
directness.
The President eulogizes his prede
cessor, denounces his assassin and
defines and condemns anarchy and
Its advocates and apologists. He
urges that the Federal courts be
empowered to try any attempted or
actual assassin of a President and
pronounces such an offense a crime
against the law of nations.
He congratulates the nation upon
Its widespread prosperity, points
out that the legitimate accumulation
OF large fortunes by individuals in
cidentally benefits numerous others.
cautions Congress against unneces.
sarlly hamperlng those captains of
industry whose direction is so es-
sential to business success, or un.
warantable interfering with those
great corporations which have, by
their magnitude, been able to place
TINS country in front rank in the con-
test for universal commercial SUD-
remacy. He assigns the accumula-
ton of great corporate fortunes to
natural causes rather than to the
tariff acknowledges that antago-
nlsm to "trusts" is, to limited ex-
tent, warranted; advocates the
same governmental control and
publicity of their affairs as now
attaches to the national banks and
implies that such publicity is essen
tial to judicious legislation looking |
to correct such evils in the system
as now exist. If the constitution
does not permit of such federal |
supervision the President believes |
it should be amended.
Colonel Roosevelt advocates the |
4
establishment of department of
commerce and industry whose head |
shall be member of the cabinet
and gives his reasons at length.
He urges the re enactment of the |
Chinese exclusion act the exclu-
sion of contract labor; the extern
sion of the eight hour day for labor;
the amendment of factory laws in
the interest of the health, of women
and children; advocates an educa.
tional qualification for immigrants
and the exclusion of certain unde
sirable classes which are now
admitted.
Mr.. Roosevelt asserts that there
is general acquiescence in our pres
ent tariff system and that nothing
could be more unwise than to dis
turb the business interests by a gen
eral tariff change. He says that
reciprocity must be treated as
handmaiden of protection, that pro-
lection must be maintained in every
case where it is needed and asks
the attention OF the Senate to the
reciprocity treaties laid before it
by his predecessor.
He asserts that the condition of
the merchant marine requires i'm
mediate remedial action by Con
gress and, without mentioning the
ship subsidy bill, calls attention TO
the fact that foreign vessels, which
can be bought more cheaply, are
extensively subsidized.
He endorses the gold standard.
and the recommendations of the
Secretary of the Treasury concerning
monetary affairs; advises that the
revenues be cautiously curtailed
until they more nearly balance ex-
penses and urges the scrupulous
avoidance Of reckless or wasteful
expenditures.
He commends the Interstate
Commerce Commission and urges
legislation which will make its de-
cisions effective but cautions against
any measures which will cripple the
railways which he defines as the
arteries through which the life
blood Of this nation flows.
The President urges a more sys-
tematic preservation Of the forest
that the care Of the forest reserves
be conhded to the Department Of
Agriculture and that, in the arid
districts, a system Of irrigation be
undertaken by the Federal govern
ment.
For Hawaii he bespeaks a land
policy modelled on our homestead
policy and calls the attention of
Congress to the necessity Of land
laws for Porto Rico.
lie predicts Cuban Independence
before the close Of the present ses-
sion Of Congress and states there
are weighty reasons Of morality and
national interest for granting mater
ial reciprocal tariff reductions in her
behalf.
lie promises on behalf Of the
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