The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1904-12-09

Washington. Dec s President
Roosevelts annual message TO con-
gress makes some 5000 words In ac-
eordsnce with established custom con-
siderable space is devoted 10 a re-
sumo Of the year in the administrative
departments of the government. but
much OF the message is given Up 20 a
discussion OF those subjects which are
considered Of vital interest 70 the ma
ton. and upon many OF which he
deems legislation needed. II IS this
portion Of the message which ne slye
below.
To The Senate ana House On Representa-
CFcs The nation continues 20 e-1oy note
worthy prosperity such prosperity "a OF
course primarily due 20 the high ina.v.d-
ual average % our citizenship. taken TO
gether wiki our great natural resources.
but an important factor therein Is the
working OF our long-contlnued govern
mental policies The people have EN-
phaucally expressed Their approval OF
the principles underlying these policies
and their desire that these principles be
kept substantially unchanged. although
o. course applied IN a progressive spirit
% meet changing conditions.
Caution Against Extravaganza.
The enlargement OF scope OF the func-
tons % the national government required
b. our dsvelopIr mt as a nation involves.
% course. increase o. expense. and the
period OF prosperity through which the
country Is passing Justifes expenditures
for permanent improvements far greater
than would be wise In hard times. Bat
teships and forts. public buildings. and
improved waterways are investments
D..
money. but abundant revenues and
large surplus always invite extravagance.
and constant care should be taken TO
guard against unnecessary increase Of
the ordinary expenses OF government.
The cost OF d0ing government business
should be regulated with the same rigid
scrutiny a the cost o. dong a private
business.
Capital and Labor.
In the vast and complicated mechanism
Of our modern civilized life the dominant
note Is the note OF industriaiism. and the
relations ~ capital and labor and es-
pccialiy OF organized capita. and organ
lied labor. 20 each other and 20 the pub
lie ~ large come second In Importance
only 20 the intimate questions OF family
lie Our peculiar form o. government.
with is sharp division OF authority be-
tween the nation and the several states
has been on the whole far more advan-
tagcnus 20 our development than a more
strongly centralized government. But Il
IS undoubtedly responsl bic FOR much OF
the difficulty OF meeting with adequate
legislation the new problems presented
BY the total change IN industrial condi-
tOns on this continent during the last
half-century. In actual practice Il has
proved exceedingly difficult. and in many
cases impossible. 20 get unanlmlty OF
wise action among the various states on
these subjects. Prom the very nature OF
the case this IS especially true OF the laws
affecting the employment OF capital in
huge masses.
with regard 70 labor the problem IS no
less important but IL Is simpler As long
as the states retain the primary control
Of the police power the circumstances
must be altogether extreme which re-
ouire interference BY the federal author
tiles. whether In the way % safeguard
ing the rights OF labor or In the way OF
seeing that wrong is not dcne BY IN
ruly persons who shield themselves be-
hind the name OF labor. IL there Is re-
distance 70 the federal courts. interfer-
ence with the mails or interstate com
meroe. or nolestation OF federal proper
y. or II the state authorities In some
crisis which they are unable 20 face cal
for help. then the federal government
may interfere. but though such interfer-
ence may be caused BY a condition Of
things arising out Of trouble connected
with some question Of labor. the interfer.
storing order without regard 70 the ques
lions which have caused the breach o.
order-for TO keep order ls primary
duty and In a time OF disorder and VIC
lence all other questions sink into abey
ance until order has been restored. Ii
the District % Columbia and ia the ter
ritories the federal Jaw covers the entiri
field OF government. but the abor cues
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 a matter 80 vita
as this affecting labor believe that IN
der modern industrial conditions II
often necessary. and even where nc
necessary II 10 yet often wise. that ther
should be organization OF labor In orde
better 10 secure the rights OF the indivic
ual wage-worker All encouragemer
should be given 10 any such organizs
ton. so long as IL Is conducted with
due and decent regard for the rights
others There are In this country SON
labor unions which have habitually, an
other labor unions which have oftci
been among the most effective agents
working for good citizenship and for VI
Hitting the condition o. those whose we
fare should be closest 20 our hearts. 81
when any labor union seeks improp'
ends. or seeks 70 achieve proper ends /
improper means. all good citizens ar
more especially an honorable public SER
ants must sppose the wrongdoing
res0iute'y as they would oppose u
wrongdOirg Of any great corporation.
course 49, violence. brutality or CORFU