The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-02
The Presidents: Message.


1T is a common remark that no one
reads a presidents message except the
man who edits. the copy and the proof
readers in the newspaper offices.
81 That cannot be said of the message
which went to congress to-day. Presi-
dent Roosevelt's message will be read.
s@In the first: place, 1t is short, as presi-
dents messages go, and in the next place
he has something to say which the people
want to hear.
4 Not very many messages have been
awaited with as much interest by the
business world that which has been
manifested in Mr.. Roosevet's deliverance
to day. Some apprehension has been felt
In certain business circles on account of
it, and yesterday the stock market was
slightly affected by the uncertainty as to
what the president would say about the
tariff and the trusts, Business gen.
orally has not halted but the speculative
market always sensitive to the slight
est influence. has exhibited some nerv-
business for some days over conflicting re-
ports as to what the message would con-
tain( ! -. '..' III.
IL And now we have the document itself,
which seems to us to be most admirable
communication from the chief executive
to the legislative department. In the
first place, it is not radical but conserva-
tive, and yet with all its conservatism it
is vigorous, positive, certain and un-
equivocal.
81 lie Az q ,o{o n,aSr
English it is credit to the office from
which it proceeds. It will be grattfica-
ton to educated Americans everywhere
that their chief executive is not only a
man Of affairs, but so much a man of
letters that this message in point Of liter
airy finish and vigor Is model.
But, Of course, the great interest CEN
ters in what Mr. Roosevelt has to say
about the trusts and about the tariff.
With some preliminary remarks relat-
ing to the happy conditions Of prosperity
which we now enjoy, and the heavy re-
sponsibilities which have devolved upon
our governme nt and our people, there Is
sounded an inspiring note of courage,
iself-reliance, and resolute purpose, which
should and will serve as powerful
stimulus to right action on the part Of
the people and their Representatives
There is manifested degree Of conf
dence in the people themselves which
should lift their own courage and hail
them on to a willing and cheerful and
conscientious discharge of those great
duties which the trend Of world events
has imposed upon them. Ez,.sf.E
The first specific proposition is the trust
problem. Here there Is given no sign of
hostility to great enterprises; no sugees-
Smashing of the trusts eve are not
says the president, attacking the cor
operations, but endeavoring to do awav
with any evil In them; we are not hostile
to them we are merely determined that
they shall be so handled as to subserye
the public good. We draw the line against
misconduct, not against wealth.
Again he warns against blindness to
the historical truth that wise evolution is a
sure safeguard against revolution" Elk.
perience has shown that this Is true Of
the political world; there is no reason tc
doubt its truth as to the commercial.
By The president stands upon the PROPOSE
stion that congress has the power to regu.
late interstate commerce with no lin1ita.
Stions other than those prescribed by the
sconst itution; furthermore, he insists tina,
this power has not been exhausted by any
Legislation now in the statute books. Ger.
tainly we have made some progress in thu
handling Of the trust question when the