Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1904-12-07

managed in moro satisfactory manner
than is now the case.
Postal Service.
In tho Postoflco Department the serv-
i've has Increased In efficiency. and con-
ditions as to revenue and expenditure
continue satisfactory. The increase OF
revenue during tho year was s9.s5s 1910.
or Go per cent the total receipts amount
ing to 43.5S2, CASA The expenditures
were S152 1862 JIG TO- an Increase Of about
per cent over the previous year. being
thus ss,s79.4q2.36 In excess OF the cur
rent revenue Included In these expendi.
turcs was a total appropriation OF Sla.-
6,G3I.35 for the continuation ana extern
sion OF the rural free delivery service
which was an increase OF s4,902. 23735
over the amount expended for this pur-
pose In the preceding fiscal year Large
as this expenditure has been the beneh-
cent results attained in extending the
free distribution OF malls to the residents
OF rural districts have justified the wis
dom OF the outlay. Statistics brought
down 10 the list Of October 1904. show
that on that date there were 27,13S rural
routes established. serving approximately
~ 900 900 OF people In mural districts re-
mote from postofilces. and that there
were pending at that time $3.50 petitions
Tor the establishment OF new rural routes.
The message here points out the
need for improvement In our consular
system. advises the creation OF a ma.
tional art gallery and suggests the
enactment OF national quarantine
law.
Laws Concerning Citizenship.
Not only are the laws relating to nat
uralizapion now defective. but those re
lating TO citizenship OF the United States
ought also TO be made the subject OF
SCIENTIFIC inquiry with a View to prob
able further legislation BY what acts
expatriation may be assumed to have
been accomplished, how long an Amer
lean citizen may reside abroad and re
ceive the protection of our passport
whether any degree of protection should
be extended to ono who has made the
declaration Of intention to become citl-
zen OF the United States but has not Sc
cured naturalization. are questions OF
serious import involving personal rights
and often producing friction between this
government and foreign governments.
Yet upon these questions our laws are
silent. I recommend that an examination
he made into the subjects OF citizenship.
expatriatlon and protection OF Ameri-
cans abroad, with view 10 appropriate
legislation.
Currency.
The attention OF the Congress should
be especially given 70 the currency ques-
ton and that the standing committees
on the matter in thR two houses charged
with the duty. talse Up the matter of our
currency and see ether 1t is not pos
sible to secure an feement in the bust
ness world for bet ing the system; the
committees should nslder the question
Of the retirement the greenbacks and
the problem Of SEED tng in our currency
such elasticity as 81 consistent with safe
| ty Every silver d lar should be made
by law redeemable gold at the option
Of the holder.
Merehai Marine.
] especially comm9nd to your immedi-
ate attention the encouragement of our
merchant marine by appropriate legsla-
ton.
On The tariff shall communicate with
you later. 1
immigration and Naturalization.
In dealing with the questions Of immi-
grafton and naturalization It is indls-
pensable to keep certain facts ever be-
fore the minds OF those who share in en-
acting the laws. First and foremost, let
us remember that no question OF being
a good American has nothing whatever
to do with a mans birthplace any more
than It has to do Awith his creed. In
every generation frohn the time this gov
eminent was founNed men OF foreign
birth have stood ~ the very foremost
rank OF good cltz bship, and that not
merely in one but ilHevery field OF Amer
lean activity; while p try to draw a dis.
| tlnction between th4 man whose parents
came to this country and the man whose
| ancestors came to II several generations
back is a mere absurdity Good Ameri.
| canism is a matter OF heart. OF consci-
ence, Of lofty aspiration. or sound COM
mon sense. but not Of birthplace or Of
creed.
| There Is no danger Of having TOO many
immigrants Of the right kind But the
citizenship OF this country should not be
debased. 1t is vital that we should keer
high the standard Of wel-b being among
our wage workers, and therefore we
should not admit masses OF men whose
standards of living and whose persona
customs and habits are such that they
tend to lower the level OF the American
wage worker.
Under the Constitution It is in the
power OF the Congress ITO establish q
uniform rule OF naturalization" anC
numerous laws have from time to time
been enacted for that purpose. which
have been supplemented In a few states
by state laws having special application
There should be comprehensive revision
OF the naturalization laws.
Protection Of Elections.
The power OF the government to pro.
tect the integrity Of the elections Of It.
own officials is Inherent and has beer
recognized and affirmed by repeated dec.
laratlons OF the Supreme court There
is no enemy OF free government more
dangerous and none so insidious as this
corruption OF the electorate No one de.
tends or excuses corruption. and It woulc
seem to follow that none would oppose
recommend the enactment OF law di,
rected against bribery and corruption II
Federal elections. rhe details OF such q
law may be safely left to the wise discre
tion OF the Congress, but It should e
as far as under the Constitution 1t /.
possible to go, and should include sever,
penalties against him who gives or re-