The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-09
PRESIDENTS hE3}HIE..

1ltnl ! MO0h|f.
Washington, Dec. 7.7-Thc presidents IS
message has been transmitted to con-
ress. Its pr.ne..oal features are as fol
lows
The counttry is to be congratulated
ION the amount OF substantial cchieve-
ment which i.as marked the past year
both as regards our foreign and as re-
cards our domestic policy.
With a. nation as with man the
most important things are those Of the
household, and therefore the country
especially to be congratulated on
what has been accomplished in the di-
rection of providing for the. exercise OF
superyision over the great corporations
aad combinations OF corporations en-
aged in interstate commerce. The
CONGRESS has created the department
ef commerce and labor. including the
bureau ef corporations, with for the
dest time authority to secure proper
publicity of such proceedings of these
reat corporations as the public has
the right to know. It has provided for
ne expediting of suits for the enforce
nent OF the federal antitrust law. and
gT another law it has secured equal
treatment to all producers in the trans
eOrsafion of their goods, thus taking
= long stride forward in making effec-
sye the work Of the interstate COM
merce commission.
The preliminary work os the bureau
OF corporations in the department OF
labor has shown the wisdom Of its ere
alton. Publicity in corporate affairs
VIII tend to do away with ignorance
and viii afford facts upon which intel
gent action may be taken. Systemat-
intelligent Investigation is already
developing facts the knowledge OF
which is essential to right under
sanding OF the needs and duties OF
the business world The corporation
which is honestly and fairly organ
lied whose managers in the conduct
sof its business recognize their obliga-
non to des1 squarely with their stock
nsIders their competitors and the pub
lic, has nothing to fear from such su-
peryision. The purpose Of this bureau
Us rot to embsrrass or assail legitimate
business, but to aid in bringing about
better industrial condition. eondi-
Zion under which there shall be obedi-
enee 10 law and recognition Of pubic
obligation By all corporations, great or
small. The department Of commerce
and labor viii be not only the clearing
house for information regarding the
business Transactions Of the nation, but
fhe executive arm of the government
sED aid in strengthening our domestic
sand foreign markets. in perfecting our
facilities. in building up
gur merchant marine, in preventing the
entrance Of undesirable Immigrants, in
Improving Commercial and industrial
cOndiuoas snd in bringing together on
eommon ground those necessary part
ners in industria, progress -capitalard
labor
Capital and Labor.
Tie consistent policy Of the national
ssgoTernment, so far as it has the power.
rs TO hold in check the unscrupulous
IMAM whether employer or employee, but
ste refuse TO weaken individual lnitia-
ssftiSe or to hamper or cramp the indus
triai Development of the country. We
recognize that this is an era OF fedora
sfioa and comb;nat tion in which great
capitalsic corporations and labor un-
EsieZ,s hare become factors of tremendous
zuaportance in all industrial centers
sarty recognition is given the far
reaching, benefcent work which has
been accomplished through both cor
porationS and unions, and the line as
between different corporations, as be-
tween different unions, is drawn as it
rs between different individuals-that
s, it is drawn on conduct. the effort
being to treat both organized capital
sanG organized labor alike, asking moth
Ting save that the interest Of each shall
De brought into harmony with the in
Sseerest of the general public and that
he conduct Of each shall conform to
he fundamental rules Of obedience to
zaw, of individual freedom and Of JUS
lice and fair dealing toward all. When
seyer either corporation. labor union or
Sndiyiduai disregards the law or acts
In spirit Of arbitrary and tyrannous
iuferference with the rights Of others,
whether corporations or individuals,
then where the federal government has
jurisdiction it will see to it that the
misconduct is stopped. paying not the
slightest heed to the position or power
of the corporation. the union or the in
diyidual, but only to one vital fact
that is. the question whether or not
afhe conduc. of the individual or aggre-
gate of individuals 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 prop
py-fv or his labor so long as he does