The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1904-12-08

ippines--lrsrs Need uT Adequate
Naval Force as ,iuarnnIcr ~ pence
and Asks Tor Revision oT IninIi-
grafton Laws.
Washington Zee. s. President
Rooseyetts annual message to con-
gress makes some 1900 words. IN &C
oordauCe with established custom con-
siderable space is devoted to re-
sumo of the year in the administrative
departments of the government, but
much of the message is given up to a
discussion of those subjects which are
considered of vital interest to the ma
ton, ahd upon many OF which he
deems legislation needed. II is this
portion of the message which we give
below.
TO the Senate and House OF Representa-
tives: The nation continues to enjoy note
worthy prosperity. Such prosperity Is of
course primarily due to the high lndivid-
ual average OF our citizenship, taken to-
gether with our great natural resources:
but an important factor therein is the
working OF our long-contlnued govern
mental policies. The people have en-
phatically expressed their approval of
the principles underlying these policies,
and their desire that these principles be
kept substantially unchanged, although
Of course applied in a progressive spirit
to meet changing conditions.
Caution Against Extravaganza.
The enlargement of scope OF the func-
tions OF the national government required
by our development as a nation involves,
OF course, Increase of expense; and the
period of prosperity through which the
Ia Stna 4t,gf
for permanent improvements far greater
than would be wise In hard times. Bat
tleships and forts, public buildings, and
improved waterways are investments
which should be made when we have the
money; but abundant revenues and a
large surplus always invite extravaganza,
and constant care should be taken to
guard against unnecessary increase OF
the ordinary expenses of government.
The cost OF doing government business
should be regulated with the same rigid
scrutiny as the cost of doing a private
business.
Capital and Labor.
In the vast and complicated mechanism
OF our modern civilized life the dominant
note is the note of industrialism; and the
relations Of capital and labor. and es-
pecially of organized capital and organ
lied labor, TO each other and to the pub
lie AT large come second in importance
only to the intimate questions Of family
life. Our peculiar form Of government,
with its sharp division Of authority be-
tween the nation and the several states,
has been on the whole far more advan-
tageous to our development than a more
strongly centralized government. But II
Is undoubtedly responsible for much OF
the difficulty Of meeting with adequate
legislation the new problems presented
by the total change in industrial condi-
tions on this continent during the last
half-century. In actual practice 1t has
proved exceedingly difticult, and in many
cases impossible, to get unanlmty of
wise action among the various states on
these subjects. From the very nature OF
the case this is especially true Of the laws
affecting the employment of capital In
huge masses.
With regard to labor the problem Is no
less important. but II is simpler. As long
as the states retn!n the primary control
OF ths police power the circumstances
must be altogether extreme which re-
quire interference by the federal author
tiles whether in the way OF safeguard
Ing the rights of labor or in the way OF
seeing that wrong Is not done by un-
ruly persons who shield themselves be.
hind the namc of labor. IL there Is re-
sistanoe to the federal courts, interfer'
ence with the mails, or Interstate com
merce, or molestatlon of federal proper
ty, or II the state authorities In some
crisis which they are unable to face cal
for help, then the federal government
may interfere; but though such interfer
ence may be caused by condition o.
things arising out OF trouble connected
with some question of labor, the interfer
ence itself simply takes the form of re
storing order without regard to the ques
tions which have caused the breach o
order-for to keep order Is primar.
duty and In a time OF disorder and vio
lence all other questions sink into abey
a.1L. l.asu EaEtA
the District Of Columbia and in the ter
ritories the federal law covers the entir
field of government; but the labor ques
ton is only acute in populous centers o
commerce, manufactures or mining
Nevertheless, both In the enactment an
In the enforcement of law the fedora
government within its restricted spher
should set an example to the state gov
ernments, especially in matter so vita
as this affecting labor. believe that un
der modern industrial conditions 1t
often necessary, and even where nc
necessary II Is yet often wise, that ther
should be organization of labor In orde
better to secure the rights Of the indivit
ual wage-worker. All encouragement
should be given to any such organizs
tion. so long as II is conducted with
due and decent regard for the rights
others. There are in this country SON
labor unions which have habituaily. an
other labor unions which have oftei
been among the most effective agents
working for good citizenship and for vi
lifting the condition OF those whose we
fare should be closest to our hearts. Bl
when any labor union seeks improp'
ends. or seeks to achieve proper ends
improper means all good citizens ar
more especially all honorable public ser
ants must oppose the wrongdoing
resolutely as they would oppose Il
wrongdoing OF any great corporation.
course any violence. brutality or CORFU
zion should not for one moment be tole
ated. Wage workers have an entire rigl
to organize and by all peaceful and homo
able means 10 endsavor to persuade the
fellows to Join with them In organiz'
tions. They have legal right whic
according to circumstances, may or ma
not be q moral right. to refuse to woI
In company with men who decline to jo
their organizations. They have under
circumstances the right to commit VI
lence upon those. whether capitalists
wage workers. who refuse TO suppo
their Organization or who side WI
those with whom they are at odds; 4
mob rule u intnIerabls In any form.
1mplsysr's Liability Law.
The wase-WoSkers are pecuiisrly .
Titled 10 % protectien and ~ encou
aGement % the law, From ~ xery 9