Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-12-07

S54.297, G67. The indications are thai
the surplus for the present fiscal year
will be very small, If indeed there be
any surplus. From July to November
the receipts from customs were, ap-
proximately, 100000 less than the
receipts from the same source for q
corresponding portion last year. Should
this decrease continue at the same ra-
ito throughout the fiscal year the sur
plus would be reduced by, approx
mately, S30,0o0OO0. Should the rev.
enue from customs suffer much fur
Their decrease during the fiscal year the
surplus would vanish. A large sur
plus is certainly undesirable. Two
years ago the war taxes were taken
off with the express intention of
equalizing the governmental receipts
and expenditures, and, though the
first year thereafter still showed q
surplus. It now seems likely that a
substantial equality of revenue and
expenditure will be attained. Such be-
ing the case, it is of great moment both
10 exercise care and economy in APP
propriations 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-
ditlOns 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. 2, 1902, called
attention to certain needs Of the fnan-
cial situation, and l again ask for
consideration of the congress for these
questions.
1.-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 I'm 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
impossible to secure the adoption Of
any particular scheme. Having IL
view these facts, l recommend that the
congress direct tSc secretary Of the
navy, the postmaster general and the
secretary Of commerce and labor, asso-
ciated with such a representation from
the senate and house Of representatives
as the congress in its wisdom may des-
ignate, to serve as a commission for the
purpose of investigating and reporting
to the congress at its next session what
is desirable or necessary for
the development of the American mer-
chant marine and American commerce
and incidentally of a national ocean
mail service of adequate auxiliary ma
val cruisers and naval reserves. While
such q 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 shil to South America,
to Asia and elsewhere would be much
in the interest of our commercial ex-
pansion.
immigration.
We cannot have too much immigra-
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 entirely. while desirable i'm
migrants are properly distributed
throughout the country. At present
some districts which need immigrants
nave 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
'eady there. During the last two years |
he immigration service at New York |
las been greatly improved and the cor
upton and inefiiciency which former
y obtained there have been eradicated. |
This service has just been investigated |
" a committee OF New York citizens |
4 high standing, Messrs. Arthur V.
5riesen, Lee X. Frankel, Eugene A.
'hilbin, Thomas w. Hynes and Ralph
rrautman. Their report deals with the
Whole situation at length and concludes
With certain recommendations for adj
and legislative action. It
8 now receiving the attention Of the
ecretary of commerce and labor.
naturalization Frauds.
The special investigation of the sub
ect Of naturalization under the direc-
ion Of the attorney general and the
onsequent prosecutions reveal a condi-
ION OF affairs calling for the immedi-
te attention Of the congress. For
cries and perjuries of shameless and
agrant character have been perpe-
rated not only in the dense centers of
opulation, but throughout the country,
nd it is established beyond doubt that
cry many so called citizens of the
nited States have no title whatever
that right and are asserting and en-
lying the benefits of the same through
he grossest frauds. 1t is never to be
'rgotten that citizenship is. to quote