Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-12-12

tin'ues the message, that steps be taken
in the interest of American shipping
so that we may once more resume Oul
former position in the ocean carrying
trade. The President urges that com.
mittee be appointed to report next SEES
sion what legislation is desirable OF
necessary for the development of the
American merchant marine and Ameri
can commerce. and incidentally of q
national ocean mail service of adequate
auxiliary naval cruisers and naval re
serves.
IMMIGRATION.
We can not have too much immiGra.
ton of the right kind. observes the
message, and we should have none al
all of the wrong kind. The need is tG
devise some system by which undesir.
able immigration shall be kept out en-
tirely, while desirable immigrants are
properly distributed throughout the
country. 1t is also urged that some
means be adopted to check gross nat
uralization frauds. which are so preva'
lent as to be alarming.
POSTAL FRAUDS.
The President recommends that the
uses of the money which Congress ap
propriated to enforce the various Fed
eral trust and interstate commerce
laws be extended 80 that it may be
available. under the direction of the
Attorney General, and until used, fol
the due enforcement of the laws of the
United States in general and especially
Of the civil and criminal laws relating
to public lands and the laws relating
to postal crimes and OffenseS and the
subject of naturalization. Recent in
vestigatiOns have shown a deplOrablt
state of affairs I'm these three matters
of vital concern" He also announces
that steps have been taken by the State
Department looking to the making OF
bribery an extraditable Offcnse with
foreign powers. The exposures and
prosecutions of official corruption in st
Louis, Mo-, and other cities and States
have resulted in number of givers
and takers of brides becoming fugi'
tives in foreign lands. where they are
now safe from prosecution.
ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
The President congratulatcs the
country on the amicable settlement OF
the Alaskan boundary question. and
incidentally remarks upon the great
development of this valuable area OF
our possessions. The President ther
calls attention ut length to the settle.
ment of claims against Venezuela hello
by Great Britain. Germany and Italy
and remarks upon the important part
played by our Government in the just
settlement Of the same. He remarks
upon the growing sentiment of the ma
tons favOring peacable settlements lr
such cases. and urges Congress to in
vite the Interparliamentary Union fol
International Arbitrat ton to meet a!
the st. Louis Exposition next year.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
After felicitating the country on the
pleasant relations that exist with all
sister nations, Mr.. Roosevelt announces
that our relations with the Turkish
Government remain friendly; oul
claims founded on incquitable treat
ment of some of our schools and mis-
sions appear to be in process of ami
cable adjustment Also the new COM
mercial treaty with China is a source
IF satisfaction.
RURAL FREE DELIVERY.
The rural free delivery service has
been steadily extended. The attention
Of the Congress is asked to the ques'
lion of the compensation of the lettel
carriers and clerks engaged in the
postal service. especially in the new
rural free delivery routes. While due
regard to economy must be kept II
mind in the establishment of new
routes. vet the extension Of the rural
free delivery system must be con
ofe
lev. No governmental movement OF
recent years has resulted in greater i'm
mediate benefit to the people of the
country districts.
MISCELLANEOUS SUGGESTIONS.
The President then hopes the Con
gress will continue to favor in all
proper ways the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition. and urges that we do al!
we can to help Hawaii by constructing
lighthouses and helping to build uI
he commercial interests of the islands
Of our insrlar possessions. the Phil
ippines and Porto Rico. it is gratifying
TO say that their steady progress has
been such as to make it unnecessary tt
spend much time in discussing them
40 one people ever benefited another
people more than we have benefited the
FilipinOS by taking possession of the isl
ands. Our public land laws need re
vision sadly. A great deal of fraud has
.rept into their administration. anG
scandals are common. 1t is urged thai
they he thoroughly revised. A crafty
ing disposition has been evinced by
those having unlawful Enclosures OF
public land to remove their fences. II
is recommended that Congress enact
remedial legislation to check the cotton
boil weevil, which threatens the entire
cotton industry. The President sug
gests a policy of reciprocity in the
granting of patents to foreigners. He
then announces that the practice of ap
pointing. when possible. ex-army Off
GERS or bonded superintendents as In
dian agents is working we'll. and says
that prompt heed should be paid to the
need of education for the children in
Indian Territory. In the matter of the
safety appliance law much good has
already been accomplished. The law
should be vigorously enforced. No rec
ommendation of radical nature is
made in regard to pension matters. but
the work of the Bureau is praised.
Civil Service extension is urged and
the merit system is highly lauded.
ARMY AND NAVY.
The effect of the laws providing a