Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1903-12-09

preparations and to scan sharply any
change in our fiscal revenue system
which may reduce our income. The
need of strict economy in our eXpend-
itures is emphasized by the fact that
we cannot afford to be parsimonious in
providing for what is essential to our
national well being.
Needs of Financial situation.
The integrity of our currency is be-
yond question, and under present con-
ditions it would be unwise and unnec-
essary to attempt reconstruction OF
our entire monetary system. The same
liberty should be granted the secretary
of the treasury to deposit customs re-
ceipts as is granted him in the depos-
it of receipts from other sources. In
my message of Dec. ., 1902. | called
attention to certain needs of the finan-
cial situation. and l again ask for
consideration of the congress for these
questions.
[The president commends the work
of the international monetary confer,
ence and advises its continuance
A majority of our people desire that
steps be taken in the interests of
American shipping, so that we may
once more resume our former position
in the ocean carrying trade. But hith-
erto the differences Of opinion as to
the proper method of reaching this end
have been so wide that it has proved
to secure the adoption Of
any particular scheme. Having in
view these facts, l recommend that the
congress direct the secretary Of the
navy, the postmaster general and the
secretary of commerce and labor, asso-
ciated with such representation from
the senate and house Of representatives
as the congress in its wisdom may des-
ignate, to serve as commission for the
purpose Of investigating and reporting
to the congress at its next session what
legislation is desirable or necessary for
the development of the American mer
chant marine and American commerce
and incidentally of national ocean
mail service of adequate auxiliary ma
such a measure is desirable in any
event, it is especially desirable at this
time, in view Of the fact that our pres
ent governmental contract for ocean
mail with the American line will expire
in 1905. The establishment of new
lines of cargo ships to South America,
to Asia and elsewhere would be much
in the interest of our commercial eX-
pansion.
Immigration.
We cannot have too much immiCra-
ton of the right kind, and we should
have none at all of the wrong kind.
The need is to devise some system by
which undesirable immigrants shall be
kept out en- irely, while desirable i'm
migrants are properly distributed
the country At present
some districts which need immigrants
have none, and in others, where the
population is already congested. immi-
grants come in such numbers as to de-
press the conditions of life for those al
ready there. During the last two years
the immigration service at New York
has been greatly improved and the cor
ruptiOn and inefficiency which former
IL obtained there have been eradicated
This service has just been investigated
by committee of New York citizens
of high standing. Messrs. Arthur "
Briesen, Lee X. Frankel Eugene a.
Philbin, Thomas w. Hynes and Ralph
Trautman. Their report deals with the
whole situation at length and concludes
with certain recommendations for ad-
ministrative and legislative action. 1t
is now receiving the attention of the
secretary of commerce and labor
Naturalization Frauds.
The special investigation of the sub
ject of naturalization under the direc-
ton of the attorney general and the
consequent prosecutions reveal a condi-
ton of affairs calling for the immedi-
ate attention of the congress. For
geries and perjuries of shameless and
fragrant character have been perpe-
trated not only in the dense centers of
population, but throughout the country,
q
and il is established beyond doubt that
very many SO called citizens of the
United States have no title whatever
to that right and are asserting and en-
jOying the benefits of the same through
the grossest frauds. 1t is never to be
forgotten that citizenship is, TO quote
the words recently used by the SUI
preme court of the United States, an
''inestimable heritage" whether it pro-
ceeds from birth within the country
or is obtained by naturalization, and
we poison the sources of our national
character and strength at the fountain
if the privilege is claimed and exer-
cised without right and by means of
fraud and corruption.
The federal grand jury lately in ses-
sion in New York city dealt with this
subject and made presentment which
states the situation briefly and forcibly
and contains important suggestions for
the consideration of the congress. This
presentment is included as an appendix
to the report of the attorney general.
Public Land and Postal Frauds.
In my last annual message, in con-
nection with the subject of the due
regulation of combinations of capital
which are or may become injurious to
hf In Il 1NI