The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-12-14
ROOsEvELT's MESSAGE,

sage. The Square deal" breathes
through every line of it, Those inter
ests which demand more than square
deal naturally find but little comfort in
what the president has to say. but the
people will find in the manly stand
taken upon new questions as we'll as
old, an ample justification for the mag
nificent vote of confidence Igiven the
president in November.
Critics complain that the president
is not sufficiently specific in his rec
ommendation. We take it that it is a
mistake for party in its platform or a
president in his message to outline de-
tails of Legislation.
1t was the GROWING blunder of the
democratic platform of 1896, that it
introduced the we'll known phrase ad-
vocating. the free and unlimited coin
age of silver at the ratio of l6 to l..
Had the platform simply declared for
bi-metallism, leaving the details to
congress, Bryan would have polled
many more votes.
President Roosevelt has wisely COZ
fined himself to general principles, to
outlining great policies, rather than to
attempting to take upon himself the
work for which the congress has been
elected.
To the mass of the people the matter
of greatest Importance discussed by the
president, is that of the control of in
terstate commerce in various lines,
especially in the control of freight
rates.
Railroad officials seem to be about
the only persons who do not give
hearty support to the presidents ut
terances.
Many of those who now loudly ap.
plaud the presidents recommendations
will be found opposed TO it when the
time for action comes. Clouds,of dust
will be raised to obscure the issue: all
sorts of questions of c,nstltutionality
method of procedure and details OF
legislation will be brought forward to
afford pretexts for the friends of the
corporations to prevent the passage OF
the bill without placing themselves in
open opposition to the principle. This
is the course pursued in all legislation
of this character. and it is not to be eX-
pected that any sudden rush of patriot.
ism has so affected the railroad mag.
mates of the country that they will
yield an inch without exerting all OF
their great influence to prevent.
The president has sounded the call
to arms, a call that marks the begin.
ming. not the end of great struggle
1t will be we'll now for the people tc
keep an eye on their legislators both
in tie House and in the Senate. and tc
mark for subsequent slaughter al
those who falter; who raise false is
sues; who bubble over trifes in order
to avoid the main issue.
We prophesy that nothing will be
done during the present session and
that if the president and the people
are to win, they will need all their
strength, all their fortitude and all
their perse verance. AS denoting the
tendency of the times, however. it il
interesting to note the growth of the
paternalistic idea, and the gradual
reinforcement of the idol of private
property rights. Twenty-Five years
ago the presidents message would have
been regarded as the rankestIsocialism
today it is received simply as cour-
agous expression of the thought and
desire of the masses of the people.
The presidents recommendation as
toinsurance regulation opens another
profound subject for thought and in
vestigation. In our opinion the mass
ing of such colossal wealth in the hands
OF few so-called mutual insurance
companies is grave menace to the
public welfare.
We are gravely assured by these
companies that they are run on q
strictly mutual plan; that the humbleat
policy-holder shares alike with the
most important of the stock holders.
At the same time the company
points with pride to S40O, 5000 600 sur
plus over and above all obligat ons.
How can such a surplus accrue in a
strictly mutual company? To whom
does it belong? If the mutually has
been preserved, should it not have
been paid out to policy holders long
ago? These gigantic institutions are
but pointing the way to governmental
insurance, system which in small
way is already in successful operation
I in other countries.
Throughout. the presidents message
is strictly practical, dealing with the
everyday business of the government
in business-like manner; containing
few of the flowers of rhetoric, but
great deal of good common sense.
( Aiagss Roworo nP nnunforPoitc