The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-08

development Of tho American i,e N,e,l,fi'
/ marine and Aniericati commerce. sI
n5the next place he recommends g s y
cial appropriation for tho better en-
4, torcetr,ent of the nnti-trust law as 1t
| now Stands, to be expended Under the IN
1 directions of tho Attorncy-G eteral. lie
deals at length with the Alaskan, ' boun--
Diary dispute, and congratulntes the coti hri
try upon the final settlement OF TINT Ea A'-
moving question. s,
The president heartily recommends that
tho rura free delivery service be ex-
tended. He thinks that is III the Interest
Of the republic that tho rural districts lets
be built UP, and TINT tho extention OF
The free delivery service will go far
tow ards making residence III tho country
moro attractive. ut Is unhealthy and
undesirabl - no says, FOR the cities to
grow at the expense Of the country; and
rural free delivery is not only q good
thing in itself but Is good becnusc 1t is
ons of tho causes which check this ul-
wholesome tendency towards Urban con-
centration Of our population at the eS-
rense OF the country districts" He adds
that 1t is for the sam reason that
he sympnthizes with and approves the
policy Of building good roads,
j He expresses the hope that Congress
will continue to favor In all ways the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and
recommends that tho Exposition TO pc
held In tho summer Of 1905 In Oregon be
given the support Of tho national govern n
mcnt. He does not make reference to the
proposed Jamestown Exposition,
4 considerable portion OF the message
is devoted to our possessions III Ala VA lf
and to tho wisdom of developing that
land as rapidly as possible. Flo reports
steady progress in the Philippines ana
Porto Rico, and reminds Congress Ethat
n personal obligation rests upon lis 70
further in every way the welfare OF the
communities Tho President asserts that
no one people over benefited more than
we have benefited the Tlllpnos by TAX
ins possession Of their Islands III that
we arc inclined to agree with him.
In referring to tho condition OF tho
army, tho President speaks of the work
that has been done III the army schools
To educate tho soldier, and says that
the government should as soon as posi-
bic secure permanent camp sites for NIL
itary 1naneuvres. lie believes In the
merit system Of promotion. and says
that the only people who are contcnted
with the system Of promotion, by mere
seniority urc those who are contented
with the triumph Of mediocrity over
excellence, and that on the other hand a
system, which encouraged the exercise OF
social or political fnvortism in promo
tons. would be even worse. Ho thinks,
however, that 1t would be easy to de-
wise a method OF promotion from grade
to grade, Iii which the opinion of the
higher officers OF the service upon the
candidates should be decisive upon the
standing and promotion of the latter;
lust such o. system as now obtains at
West Point.
In conclusion, the President speaks at
length of the revolution III Panama, by
which now republic was created with
which republic he has now entered into
4 treaty to construct the Isthmlan Canal.
THAT part Of the message is so interest
inE and so extensive that We shali not
undertake to reproduce It here, as IT Is
printed III full elsewhere.
FL Suffice 1t here to say that the Presi-
dent not only justifies the people Of Pan
ANA in the act Of secession. but says that
it was the only course left to them. AS
for tho United States, no says, our duty
was clear That it was our business to
refuse to permit the landing Of any ex-
peditionary force, tho arrival OF which
would have meant chaos along tho line
OF the railroad and the proposed canal.
In other words, that wo were In duty
bound to preserve the peace, and the
President makos no apology for the I'm
decent haste" with which he recognized
the dc facto government.
He tells tho members Of Congress that
the question of making q treaty is no
| longer under discussion, for tho treaty
| has been made, and 1t remains only for
| the Senate to ratify It, The only ques-
ton now before the American people.
he declares, is whether or not the canal
shall be built.
That seems to be tho situation.
| Y -==-=-===---