The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-04
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The message opens with a fitting al
fusion to the national calamity in the
assassination of President Mckinley,
which is followed by splendid tribute
to the dead President, and severe ar
raignment of anarchy and those who en-
COURAGE fawlessness. He says-and
says truly-that an anarchist lis merely
one type Of criminal more dangerous
than any other because he represents
the same depravity in a greater de-
gree" he appropriately adds that "the
man who apologies for anarchists and
their deeds, makes himself morally ac-
cessory to murder before the fact" he
truly declares that mo man or body of
men preaching anarchistic doctrines
should be allowed at large any more
than if preaching the murder Of some
specified Individual Anarchistic
speeches, writings and meetings are es-
He advocates some Jaw that will keep
anarchists out of the country, the de-
portation of those who come here, and
punishment for those who may stay.
The people are congratulated upon
present Astounding prosperity" He
denies that the rich have grown richer
and says the creation of very
large fortunes has mot been due
to the tariff or any other governmental
action, but to natural causes Wherein
he is wrong. The tariff has not made
all the overgrown fortunes but has en-
riched the very few at the expense of
the many. He gives dig at those
vino denounce trusts, and he thinks
''most Of the legislation directed
against them would have been exceed
ingly mschievous had it not also been
entirely Ineffective" He adds that there
to be corrected. He suggests publicity
as the first essential, and says: Pub
licity is the only sure remedy which We
can invoke" He thinks the nation
should assume supervision over all cor
porations doing business in more than
one State. If Congress has not the
to the Constitution.
A new Cabinet officer-Secretary of
Commerce and Industries-is recon-
mcnded.
He recommends the re-enactment of
the Chinese exclusion law in the interest
of labor. Immigration laws to keep out
anarchists are recommended. He dis
covers that there is general acquies-
cence in our present tariff system as
national policy and says nothing
could be more unwise than to disturb"
the protective duties, but he wants to
combine reciprocity" which he says
must be treated as "the handmade Of
protection" The ship subsidy steal is
endorsed by indirection.
Some amendments of the Interstate
Commerce law are recommended.
AS to the protection of forests. the
PRESIDENT speaks StTouSiy, dAu uScS
these significant concluding words:
Additions should be made to them
whenever practicable.
The President says that ''before the
present session Of Congress closes, Cuba
will be independent, and start as her own
mistress" Lower tariff duties with Cuba
are advocated.
AS to the Philippines, this sentence is
used: "Our earnest effort is to help
these people upward along the stormy
and difficult path that leads to self
government" He compares our treat
ment of the Indians with the treatment
we ought to give to the Filipinos. The
grant of franchises in the Philippines is
recommended.
The building of the Nicaragua canal is
urged; larger navy advocated; the
retention of the present large army re-
service law favored and other matters
of public policy are touched upon and
elaborated. The matter Of charging
the war ships of the navy and making
the army more efficient is treated at
length.
There is a good deal Of theorizing and
'preachment' in the Presidents message.
Except in few instances. his recommen-
dations are glittering generalities. There
is much wordy profession Of devotion to
the laboring man, but not an earnest Wig
orous advocacy Of any measure Of value
to him except advocacy of re-enacting the
Chinese exclusion act. On the important
questions of trusts and transportation, the
message is full Of plausible and high
sounding phrases, but he does not adyo-
cate any specific or practical legislation.
His only remedy for trusts is publicity,