Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-12-10
HIS ANNUAL MESSAGE
President Roosevelt's Communica-
ton to National Law Makers.
SUBJECTS OF IMPORTANCE
Control of the Trusts-Frauds of Va
rious Kinds-The Isthmian Canal
ard Panama Revolution-The Mer-
chant Marine-0ur Insular Possess
sions-FOreign Relations.

President Roosevelts annual message to
congress deals largely with few impor-
tant questioEs, leaving those OF minor IN
terest to the annual reports of the exeeu-
tive department. heads.
The first subject 10 receive attention at
the hands OF the president is that OF the
trusts in connection with the operations
of the department of commerce and labor
and the bureau of corporations. OF the
results which this bureau will accomplish
he says:
THE preliminary work of the bureau of
corporations in the department has SHOWN
the wisdom of its creation. Publicity in
corporate affairs will tend to do away with
ignorance, and will afford facts upon which
intelligent action may be taken. system
attic. intelligent investigation IS already de-
veloping facts the knowledge of which is
essential TO right understanding OF the
needs and duties of the business word.
The corporation which is honestly ana
fairly organized. whose managers in the
conduct OF its business recognize their
obligation to deal squarely with their
public, has nothing to fear from such
supervision. The purpose of this bureau
is not to embarrass or assail legitimate
business, hut to aid in bringing about
better Industrial condition-a condition
under which there shall be obedience TO
law and recognition of public obligation
by all corporations, great or small.
Capital and Labor.
On the subject of capital and labor the
"The consistent policy on the national
government so far as it has the power,
is to hold in check the unscrupulous man.
whether employer or employs; but TO re-
fuse to weaken individual initiative or to
hamper CIR cramp the industrial develop
ment of the country. We recognize that
this is an era of federation and combina-
tion, in which great capitalist1c corpora
tions and labor unions have become fac
tors of tremendous Importance in all in
dustrial centers Hearty recognition is
given the far-reaching, beneticent work
which has been accomplished through both
corporations and unions, and the line as
between different corporations, as between
different unions, is drawn as 1t is between
different individuals; that is, it is drawn
on conduct, the effort being to treat both
organized capital and organized labor
alike; asking nothing save that the inter-
est of each shall be brought into harmony
with the interest of the general public, and
that the conduct of each shall conform to
the fundamental rules of obedience to
law, of individual freedom, and OF justice
and fair dealing towards all. Whenever
either corporation, labor union, or individ-
ual disregards TIE law or acts in spirit
of arbitrary or tyrannous interference with
the rights of others, whether corporations
or individuals then where the federal gov
ernment has jurisdiction, it Will see to II
that the misconduct is stopped. paying
not the slightest heed to the position or
power of the corporation, the union or the
individual, but only to one vital fact-that
is, the question whether or not the conduct
of the individual or aggregate of individ-
uals is in accordance with the law of the
land. Every man must be guaranteed his
liberty and his right to do as he likes with
his property or his labor, SO long a he does
not infringe the rights of others. No man
is above the law and no man Is below 1t;
nor do We ask any man . permission when
we require him to obey it. Obedience to
the law is demanded as a right; not asked
as favor"
The Merchant Marine.
The president does rot believe that any
financial legislation is needed or advisable
at this time. On the subject of the mer-
chant marine he asks that commission
consisting of the secretary of the navy,
postmaster general and secretary of COM
merce and labor be appointed to investi-
gate its needs and report to congress de-
sirable legislation: He believes IN stop
ping undesirable immigration. but makes
no specific recommendations He refers
to the naturalization frauds being perpe-
trated in the large cities especially, and
asks that a way be found to stop them.
He recommends that appropriations made
for the purpose of enabling the attorney
general to prosecute the violations OF the
antitrust laws be extended to include all
violations of national laws, including nat
uralization frauds, the postal and pubic
land frauds.
He refers to steps now being taken by
the state department for making bribery
an extraditable offense, and in connection
with this the president says:
The exposures and prosecutions of Off
cial corruption in ST. Louis, Mo, and other
cities and states have resulted in num-
ber of givers and takers of bribes becoming
fugitives in foreign lands. Bribery has
not been included in extradltion treaties
heretofore, as the necessity for it has not
arisen. While there may have been as
much official corruption in former years,
there has been more developed and brought
to light in the immediate past than in the
preceding century of our country S history.
1t should be the policy of the United States
20 leave no place on earth where cor
rupt man fleeing ;rt from this country can ian
bribery should not be included in all trea-
ties as extraditable."
There can be no crime more serious
than bribery Other offenses violate
one law. while corruption strikes at the
foundation of all law. Under our form
of government all authority is vested in
the people, and by them delegated to
those who represent them in official ca
pacity There can be no offense heavier
than that of him in whom such a sacred
trust has been reposed, who sells 1t for
his own gain and enrichment; and no less
heavy is the offense of the bribe giver
He is worse than the thief. for the thief
robs the individual, while the corrupt Of
fetal plumbers an entire city or state. He
is as wicked as the murderer, for the
murderer may only take one life against
the law. while the corrupt official and
the man who corrupts the official alike
aim at the assassination of the common
wealth.
pie by the people, for the people will
perish from the face OF the earth if
bribery is tolerated The givers and
takers of bribes stand on an evil preemi-
ishment of public corruption is an honor
to nation, not a disgrace. The shame
lies in liberation, not in correction No
city or state, still less the nation, can be
injured by the enforcement of law. AS
long as public plunderers when detect
ed can find a haven of refuge in any for
eign land and avoid punishment just so
long announcement is given them to
continue their practices. If we fail to do
all that in us lies to stamp out corrup-
ton we cannot escape our share of re-
sponsinilsty for the guilt. The first requi-
site of successful self-government is un-
finching enforcement of the law and the
cutting out of corruption.
The Alaskan boundary.
In connection with the Alaskan boundary
decision the president reviews the history
ef the case leading up to the appointment
of the tribunal, its sessions and decision,
pronounces the result entirely satisfac-
tory. and says:
The result is satisfactory in every way.
1t is of great material advantage TO
our people in the far northwest. 1t has re-
moved from the field of discussion and
possible danger question liabie 10 De
come more acutely accentuated with each
passing year. Finally, it has furnished
a signal proof of the fairness and good
will with which two friendly nations can
approach and determine issues involving
national sovereignty and by their ma
ture incapable of submission to a third
power for adjudication.
s'The award is self-executing on the vital
points. To make 1t effective as regards
The others it only remains for the two
governments to appoint, each on its own
behalf. one or more scientific experts, who
shall with all convenient speed, proceed
together to lay down the boundary line
In accordance with the decision of the ma
jor.ty Of the tribunal. i recommend that
The congress make adequate provision for
the appointment, compensation and ex-
psenses of the members to serve on this
Joint boundary commission on the part of
the United States.
a review OF the Venezuelan case is given
and its amicable adjustment through the
efforts of this country. and the statement
made that the adjustment BY arbitration
Of this dispute has materially helped the
cause of international arbitration. He says
ollr relations with Turkey are friendly
and claims against that government are IL
nrocess of adjustment. He calls attention
10 the signing of a new commercial treaty
with China on October which should give
10 our commerce an impetus in that EN-
nire though he says the full measure o.
fdeyeiopment cannot be looked for until tht
present abnormal conditions are settled.
He strongly advocates the extension q
the rural free delivery system as rapid.
as possible He recommends government