Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-12-05

would have reciprocity treated us the
handmaiden of protection. To secure the
enlarged markets which our growing
duties where they are no longer needed
for the purpose of protection. The Pre- S.
dent asks the attention CT the Senate to
the reciprocity treaties laid before 1t by
his predecessor.
Mr.. Roosevelt makes the strongest plea
for ship subsidies that can he made al
though he does not mention that term. by
showing that many of the fast foreign
steamships are subsidized; that all our
vessels have to meet the fact that the
original cost of our ships is greater than
is the case abroad; that the wages paid
American soamen are much higher than
those paid by competing countries and
that the standard of living on our h ps
is far superior to that of our commerce"
rivals. The President closes this part of
his subject by the statement that our gov
ernment should take such action as viii
remedy these inequalities The American
marine should be restored to the ocean.
The President recognizes that our 1ail-
reads are the arteries through which the
comorcial life blood of this nation flows,
but he would have the interstate COM
nerce law. which has shown the wisdom
of ito purpose amended and streng IN n
ed; so that the rates of the railway,
which is a public servant, shall be just
and open to all shippers alike.
The attention of foreign powers will be
particularly directed to President Rose
velt's utteranccs on the Monroe doctr.D G.
He says this doctrine is essentially de-
laration that there must be no territorial
grandizemcrt by any non American
power at the expense of any American
power on American soil 1t Is in no wise
Intended as hostile to any nation in the old
world. Still less is it intended to cover
any aggression by one of the new world
powers at the expense of another, 1t is
declared to be simply a long step toward
assuring universal peace by securing the
possibility of permanent peace on tn 5
hemisphere.
President Roosey elt recommends adGi-
tional legislation for the Philippines in the
way of measures which will promote the
development of the resources of the isl
auds, that franchises may be granted and
every encouragement given to the incom-
ing of business men of every kind. He
thinks the only fear at the present time Is
lest we give the FNlipinos in our over
anxiety a degree of independence for
which they are unfit, thereby inviting re-
action and disaster. He says we hope TO
make our administration honorable and TO
do for the Filipinos what has never been
done for any people of the troplcs-to
make them lit for self-government after
the fashion of really free nations.
The message says that such progress
has been made toward putting the ind -
pendent government of Cuba on firm
footing that before the present session of
Congress closes this will be an accom-
rlished fact. The attention of Congress Is
invited to the vital need of providing for
a substantial reduction in the tariff duties
on Cuban imports into tho United States.
The President advocates the strengthen
Ing of the gold standard strict economy
in expenditures; the construction OF the
isthmian canal; the laying Of cable Ia
Hawaii and the Philippines; the develc p
ment of the promotion of forestration
the instituting of broad system of rri-
cation and reclamation of arid lands; the
continued upbuildng of our navy and the
establishing of a national EaVal reserve
the reorganization of the militia and the
creation of a general staff for the army
the extension of the merit system anC
classified service; the imI rovcmont of Oul
consular service; ard the abolition of In
dian tribal relations and the recognition OF
tho Indian as an individual.
The message of sidont Roosevelt /:
. a production of no small degree of liter
airy merit, some of its passages recalling il
style and breadth of treatment the volume
which helped to make him famous as al
author. In places it might have beer
judiciously pruned in view Ct Its length
, which Is in this vicinity of Is 400 words. 70
. I'M this age few business men will talk
=, tine to read a production of that extern
o when they can find it carefully summar
= izod. The message is an able one and W
O believe it will serVt to strengthen Roosc
Il Nclt with the general public as well a
With his party.