Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-12-12
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS-
p--eTD-ET ROOSEVELT DIS
,rrs-Es NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
DOCUMENT COMPREHENSIVE,
70 Favors Reciprocity, Development
Of Philippines, Larger Navy
and Isthmian Canal.


TO the senate and House of Represen-
tatlves: The Congress assemblies this
wear under the shadow of a great calami-
w. on the sixth ofsSeptemoer, President
Mckinley was shot by an anarchist while
attending the Pan-American Exposition
at Buffalo, and died in that city on the
fourteenth of that month
OF the last seven elected presidents, he
is the third who has been murdered. and
the bare recital of this fact is sufficient
to Justify grave alarm among all loyal
American citizens. Moreover. the circum-
stances of This, the third assassination of
an American president, have a peculiarly
sinister significance. Both President Lin
coin and President Garfield We're killed
by assassins of types unfortunately not
uncommon in history; President Lincoln
falling n victim to the terrible passions
aroused by four years of civil war, and
President Garfield to the revengeful van
ity Of a disappointed office-seeker. Presi-
dent Mckinley was killed by an utterly
depraved criminal belonging TO that body
OF criminals who object to all govern
ments, good and bad alike. who are
against any form of popular liberty If it
is guaranteed by even the most just and
liberal laws, and who are as hostile to
the upright exponent OF a free peoples
sober viii as to the tyrannical and ire
sensible despot.
earnestly recommend Congress that in
tho exercise of its wise discretion ii
should take into considerable the coming
to this country OF anarchists or persons
protesting principles hostile to all gov
eminent and justifying the murder Of
those placed in authority Such individ-
uals as those who not long ago gathered
in open meeting to glorify the murder
Of King Humbert of Italy perpetrate a
crime. and the law should ensure their
rigorous punishment. They and those
like them should be kept ont of this coun-
try: and If found here they should be
promptly deported to the country whence
they came; and far-reaching provision
should be made for the punishment of
those who stay. No matter calls more ur-
gently for the wiaest thought of the Con-
gress.
The Federal courts should be given iur-
lsdicti1n over any man who kills or at
tempts to kill the president or any man
who by the Constitution or by law is in
line of succession for the presidency.
while the punishment for an unsuccessful
attempt should be proportional TO the
ouOrmity of the offense against our in
situations.
Anarchy is a crime against the whole
human race; and all mankind should
band against the anarchist His crime
should be made an offense against the
law of nations, like piracy and hat form
~ manstealfng known as the slave trade;
for IL is of far blacker infamy than eth
er, 1t should be so declared by treaties
among all civilized powers. Such treaties
would give TO the Federal government the
power OF dealing with the crime.
National Property.
During the last five years business
confidence has been restored, ami the Ma
ton is TO be congratulated because of its
present Astounding prosperi'.. Such pros.
perity can never be created by law alone
gIthough il is easy enough TO destroy 1t
hy mischievous laws. II the hand of the
Lord is heavy upon any country, If food
or druuth comes human wisdom is pow
erless to avert the calamity. Moreover
no law can guard us against the conse-
Guences of car own folly The men who
ere idle or credulous the men who seek
gains not by genuine work with head or
hand but by gambling in any form, are
always source Of menace not only to
themselves but TO others. If the busine IS
world loses its head, 1T loses what legis-
iatiOn cannot supply. Fundamentally the
welfare of each citizen. and therefore the
welfare of the aggregate OF citizens which
makes the Nation, must rest upon indi-
'idual thrift and energy resolution and
intelligence. Nothing can take the place
ui this individual capacity; but wise leg
lslaiion and honest and intelligent ad-
ministration can give 1t the fullest scope
the largest opportunity to work to good
eject
Corporations and Industry.
The tremendous ana highly complex in
dustrial development which went on with
ever accelerated rapidity during the lat
Yer half of the nineteenth century brings
face To face the bppinnippr n q
twentieth, with very serious social prob
ems. The old laws and the old customs
which had almost the binding force of
.aWl were once quite sufficient TO regulate
me accumulation and distribution Of
wealth. Since the industrial changes
which have so enormously increased the
productive power of mankind. they are
BOO longer sufficient
The growth of cities has gone on be-
luhd comparison faster than the growth
'' The country and the upbuildng of the
great industrial centers has meant a
startling increase, not merely In the ag-
t'rEate OF wealth. but in the number of
very large individual and especially of
,''N large corporate, fortunes. The crea-
non ~ these great corporate fortunes has
H"' been due to the tariff nor te any other
governmental action. bur TO natural
aasSs ia the business world. operating In
'..'r countries as they operate in cur
DO" hrst essential in determining how
-. zeal with the great Industrial comb
'"'0t rs knowledge of the facts-pubic-
Bro the interest Of the public the
eminent should have the right 60 in
ana examine the workings OF the
corporations engaged in interstate
Publicity is the only sure rem
"'.t'H we can nov !uTcRe What fur
'.mtdles are needed in the way OF
''nmental regula tion. or taxation.
.iF ae determined after publicity
'"-H obtained by process OF law. and
course NJ administration The first
.'" Us knowledge. full and complete
. 'Ha world
'ltI bodies such as corporation
.."I stock or other associations de-
- upon any statutory law for their
9r privileges. should be subject
governmental supervision. and
t accurate Information as 10 their
..'#s houd be made public regular
.-tsnnablo intervals
-r large corporations commonly cali
though organized I'm one state.
'N business in many states often
little business In the state
are Incorporated There is
.... = uniformity IN the state laws
a. I'm and a. no state has any ex-
interest IN or power over their
f.r. -s in practice proved impossible