The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-12-11

sage of December Q. 1902, I called atten-
ton to certain needs Of the financial sit
ton OF the congress for these questions.
The Merchant Marine.
A majority of our people desire that
steps be taken in the interests of Amer
lean shipping, so that we may once more
resume our former position in the ocean
carrying trade. But hitherto the differ
e[ces 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. Hay-
ing IN view these facts, / recommend that
the congress direct the secretary of the
navy, the postmaster general and the sec
fetary OF and labor, associated
with such a representation from the SEN.
ate and house of representatives as the
congress in its wisdom may. designate, to
serve as a commission for the purpose of
investigating and reporting to the congress
at It's next session What legislation is de-
sirable or necessary for the development
OF the American merchant marine and
American commerce, and incidentally of a
national ocean mail service of adequate
auxiliary naval cruisers and naval reserves.
While such a measure is desirable in any
event, it is especially desirable at this time.
IN view of the fact that our present gov,
-ernmental contract for ocean mail with the
go CAptlC III ISCO. ouE ocean
mail act was passed in 1891. In 1895 our
2O-knot transatlantic mail line was equal
to any, foreign line. Since then the Ger
the British have contracted for 24-knot
steamers. Our service should equal the
best. If it does no. the commercial pub
business it ought to be with a full under
standing of the advantages to the country
on one hand and on the other with exact.
Of carrying it on. Moreover, lines of cargo
ships are of even more Importance than
fast mail lines; save so far as the latter
auxiliary cruisers in time of war. The es-
tablishment of new ines Of cargo ships to
South America, to Asia, and elsewhere
be much in the interest of our COM
mercial expansion.
Immigration.
We cannot have too much immigration
of the right kind. and we should have
none at all of the wrong kind. The need
sirable immigrants shall be kept out en-
tirely, while desirable immigrants are
properly distributed throughout the coun-
try. At present some districts which
ers, where the population is already con-
gested, immigrants come in such numbers
as to depress the conditions of life for
two years the immigration service at New
York has been greatly improved, and the
corruption and inefticfency which former
J. pto1AlC lldSS GSell SIdulCdlGu.
This service has Just been Investigated
by a committee of New York citizens of
nigh standir.g., Messrs. Arthur v. Briesen,
Thomas w. Hynes and Ralph Trautman'
Their report deals with the whole situ-
alton at length. and concludes with GER
and legislative action. It is now receiv-
ing the attention of the secretary Of
n labor.
naturalization Frauds.
The special investigation of the subject
OF naturalization under the direction of
the attorney general, and the consequent
prosecutions, reveal a condition of af-
fairs calling for the immediate attention
shameless and fragrant character nave
been perpetrated. not only in the dense
centers OF population, but throughout the
doubt that very many so-called citizens
of the United States have no title what
ever to that right. and are asserting and
ENJOYING the benefits of the same through
forgotten that citizenship is, to quote. the
words recently used by the supreme
court Of the United States. an ines
from birth within the country, or is OBJ
tanned by naturalization: and We poison
the sources OF our national character and
strength at the fountain, if the privilege
is claimed and exercised without right,
and by means of fraud and corruption.
The body. polite cannot be sound and
hSoASiiJ AAidly I'll ItS CONSTITUENT ulGT1-
bers claim their standing through the
prostitution of the high right and calling
of citizenship. It should mean something
become a citizen of the United States;
and in the process no ~loophole whatever
be left open to fraud.
The federal grand jury lately in session
in New York city dealt with this subject
and made a presentment which states the
briefly and forcibly and contains
important suggestions for the considera-
ton Of the congress. This presentment is
as an 9nnaDkix f0 tha rarort Of tl,a
attorney general.
Government Department Frauds.
In my last annual message, in connection
the subject of the due regulation Of
become Injurious to the public, I recon-
mended a special appropriation for the
better enforcement of the antitrust law
the direction of the attorney general. Ac-
Gy the legislative, executive and
] en1 ! Ia appropriation act of February Is, !.
l9o3, ~ Stat, So4, 800. the<congresS appro-
for the purpose of enforcing the
various federal trust and interstate om-4
MERGE laws,.5tne surf+of $500, 000.S to be ex-.
pended under the direction Of the attorney
general in the employment of special couns
sci and agents in theadepartment Of justice
condue proceedings and prosecutions
nnder said laws IN the courts of the United
l now recommend, as a matter of
the utmost Importance and urgency, the
of the purposes of this appro-
50 that It may be available. under
AlSJ+S LAG GIL dliu
until used, for the due enforcement of the
laws of the United States in general and
especially of the civil and criminal laws
relating to public lands and the laws ella
to postal crimes and offenses and the
of naturalization. Recent inyestf-
have shown a deplorable state of
affairs in these three matters of vital con-
Germ. By various frauds and by forgeriesl
Ind perjuries. thousands of acres Of the
public domain, embracing lands Of differ
emit character and extending through vari-@
ous sections of the country, have been dis
honestly acquired. It is hardly necessary
to urge&the Importance of recovering these
dishonest acquisitions, stolen from the peo-
Pile, and of promptly and d~uly-punishing
the Offenders. l speak in anotheripart Of
this message of the widespread crimes by
which the sacred right of citizenship is
falsely asserted and that "inestimable
heritage perverted to base ends. BY SIM
liar means-that is, through frauds. forger-
les and perjuries, and by Shameless briber-
ies-the laws relating to the proper con-
of the public service in general and
to the due administration OF the post office
department have beennotoriously Violated
and many indictments have been found,
and the consequent prosecutions are in
of hearing or on the eve thereon.
For the reasons thus indicated, and so that
the government may be prepared to en-
force promptly and with the greatest effect
due penalties for suchsyiolations,of law.
Ind to his end may be furnished with
instrumentalities and competent
assistance for the Investigations and
which will be necessary at many
different points of the country, / urge UPON
the congress the necessity Of making the