The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-04
The PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

President Roosevelt's first message 70
,onorass Is likely to stand for some
time as a marker denoting the pesih-
nfne of a new fashion in matters OF
its kind Disregarding the recommen n
dations of his cabinet and permlttins
them to stand on their merits he SAID
to congress what ne had to say ana on
his own responsibility What ne CON
siders important public questions nave
been, for the most part. treated as d
man of the presidents known charac-
taristics would be expected TO treat
them in a plain straightforward
manner.
IT was a fitting occasion for pro-
nouncing eulogium upon the life ana
services of his predecessor ana the
president made it the basis for some
vigorous Recommendations on the sub
dect of anarchy and anarchists
One of the first matters taken up is
that of the trusts As preamble 70
his announcement on this subject the
president declares that it is not true
as is often asserted. that the rich are
erovVing richer and the poor poorer.
After complimenting the captains OF
industry for their part in the coun-
trv's progress he advises the utmost
care in legislating concerning the en-
terprfses by them represented
..There is widespread conviction,
he saws ssfn the N inds of the American
people that the great corporations
known as trusts are in certain OF their
features and tendencies hurtfuI to the
general welfare This springs from no
spirit of envy or uncharita bleness. nor
LACK of pride in the great Industrial
achievements that have. placed this
country at the head of the nations
struggling for commercial supremacy.
1t does not rest upon a lack OF intels
<fcv, of
meeting changing and changed eondi-
lions of trade with new methods, nor
upon ignorance of the fact that com
binatfon of capital in the effort to ac-
cornplish great things is necessary when
the worlds progress demands that
great things be done 1t IS based upon
and concentration should be, not pro
bibited but supervised and within rea-
sonable limits controlled; ana IN my
Judgment this conviction is right
The remedies proposed for the trust
evils are regulation and publicity.
Among the recommendations strong
ly urged by the president are the estab-
lishn emit of a new cabinet office to be
known as the department of commerce
and industry; the re-enactment of the
Chinese exclusion law; better means
for enforcing the interstate commerce
law; the granting of government aid
to American shipping and a national
irrigation system
Those who expected a strong pro- |
nouncement on the subject of reciproci- |
ty will be disappointed Reciprocal |
trade relations are recognized as !
good thing only in those cases where |
they do not interfere with the protec- |
tive principle of our tariff laws An |
exception is made in the case of Cuba, |
which island the president declares will |
be self-governing before congress ad-
5ourns.
In the matter of the civil service the |
message indicates that the president
stands where he has always stood,
among its warmest friends and advo-
Gates.
On the whole there IS left little room
for misunderstanding of the presidents
position on any matter which he has
touched in this the first I'm portant doc
ument of his administration.
1t Is q compliment to the man more
than to his Office that congress is re-
ported actually to have listened to the
reading, although it occupied over two
hours in the deliverance. 1t is worthy
the perusal of every citizen in the
land.