Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-12-08
SALIENT POINTS IN THE PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE.

Owing to lack of space we are un-
able TO give President Roosevelt's
message in fun but we give below a
synopsis from which our readers will
be able to get the principal points
which The President has taken up in
his message.
a period Of unbounded prosperity.
There will undoubtedly be periods of
depression. The wave will recede;
but the tide viii advance.
Great fortunes have been accumu-
lated and yet in the aggregate these
fortunes are small indeed when COM
pared to the wealth of the people as
whole. The plain people are better
off than they have ever been before.
Corporations, and especially COM
binations Of corporations, should be
managed under public regulation.
Experience has shown that under our
system of government the necessary
supervision cannot be obtained by
state action. 1t must therefore be
achieved by national action.
We draw the line against mis-con
duct, not against wealth.
Publicity can do no harm to the
honest corporation; and we need not
be evertender about sparing the dis
honest corporation.
Wise evolution is the sure safe
guard against revolution.
l believe that mcnopolies, unjust
determinations, which prevent or
cripple competition, fraudulent over
pitaliZation, and other evils in trust
organizations and practices which
injuriously affect Interstate trade can
be prevented under the power of the
congress.
l earnestly recommend this subject
to the consideration of the congress
with view to the passage of a law
reasonable in its provisions aud eff
the questions can be finally adjudi-
Gated that now raise doubts as to the
necessity of constitutional amend
ment. If it prove impossible to ac-
complish the purposes above set forth
by such a law, then, assuredly, we
should not shrink from amending
the constitution 80 as to secure be-
yond Deradventure the power sought.
To remove the tariff as a punitive
measure directed against trusts would
inevitably result in ruin to the weak
er competitors who are struggling
against them.
Wherever the tariff conditions are
such that a needed change cannot
with advantage be made by the ap-
plication of the reciprocity idea, then
it can be made outright.
A commission of business experts
can be appointed, whose duty it
should be to recommend action by
the congress after a deliberate and
scientific examination.
If in any case it be found that a
given rate of duty does promote a
| monopoly which works i'll, no pro-
tectionist would object to such re-
duction of the duty as would equalize
competition.
In my Judgment, the tariff on an
| thracite coal should be removed, and
| anthracite put actually, where it ow
is nominally, on the free list.
Banks are the natural servants oil
, commerce, and upon them should be
| placed, az far as practicable, the bur
den Of furnishing and maintaining g
circulation adequate to supply the
needs of our diversified industries
and Of our domestic and foreign COM
merce.
Organized capital and organized la
Dor alike should remember that in the
long run the interest of each must be
brought into harmony with the inter
est Of the general public.
Employer and employe alike shoult
endeavor to appreciate each the view
point of the other, and the sure dis
aster that will come upon both il
the long run if either grows to tax,
as habitual an attitude of sour hos
tility and distrust toward the other
1t is earnestly hoped that a secre
tary of commerce may be created
with a seat in the cabinet.
The creation of such a department
would in itself be an advance towar,
dealing with and exercising super
vision over the whole subject of tn
great corporations doing an inter
state business; and with this end i
view, the congress should endow tn
department with large powers, whic
could be increased as experienc
might show the need.