Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1904-12-09

Ghkh hnu Win the fh1t-
appines-Urges Need of Adequate
Naval Force as Guarantee of Peace
and Asks for Revision of Immi-
grafton Laws,
Washington, Dec. 5. - President
Roosevelt's annual message to con-
Sgress makes some $4,000 words. In ac-
ecordance with established custom con-
siderable space is devoted to a re-
ssume 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
tion, and upon many Of which he
deems legislation needed 1t is this
portion of the message which we give
below.
To the Senate and House of Representa-
stives: The nation continues to enjoy note
worthy prosperity. Such prosperity is of
course primarily due to the high individ-
'ual average of our citizenship, taken to-
igether with our great natural resources;
sbut an important factor therein Is the
working of our long continued govern
mental policies. The people have en-
phatically expressed their approval of
cthe principles underlying these policies,
and their desire that these principles be
kept substantially unchanged, although
~of course applied in a progressive spirit
30 meet changing conditions.
Caution Against Extravaganza.
The enlargement OF scope of the func-
ations of the national government required
ny our development as a nation involves,
Sof course, increase of expense; and the
period of prosperity through which the
country Is passing Justifies expenditures
for permanent improvements far greater
-fthan would be wise in hard times. Bat
stleships and forts, public buildings, and
Improved waterways are investments
which should be made when we have the
amoney; but abundant revenues and
Large surplus always invite extravaganza,
Sand 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 private
business.
Capital and Labor.
In the vast and complicated mechanism
oof our modern civilized life the dominant
anote is the note of industrialism; and the
srelations of capital and labor, and es-
Specially of organized capital and organ
ized labor, TO each other and to the pub
die at large come second in Importance
only to the intimate questions of family
@ife. Our peculiar form OF government,
with Its sharp division of authority be-
tween the nation and the several states,
ihas been on the whole far more advan-
rageous to our development than a more
strongly centralized government But 1t
Us undoubtedly responsible for much of
the difficulty OF meeting with adequate
Legislation the new problems presented
by the total change In Industrial condi-
1ions on this continent during the last
half-century. In actual practice 1t has
proved exceedingly difficult, and in many
sttaE1 Ill
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
iess important, but it is simpler. AS long
.as the states retain the primary control
sof the police power the circumstances
must be altogether extreme which re-
Vluire Interference by the federal author
tiles, whether in the way of safeguard
Sing the rights of labor or in the way OF
sseeing that wrong is not done by un-
truly persons who shield themselves be-
hind the name of labor. II there is re-
sistance to the federal courts, interfer-
tence with the mails. or interstate COM
unerce, or molestation of federal proper
Sy, OF IL the state authorities in some
crisis which they are unable to face call
for help, then the federal government
may interfere; but though such interfer-
sence may be caused by a condition OF
Ithngs 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 oil
order-for to keep order is a primary
duty and in a time of disorder and VIC
Hence all other questions sink into abey'
.ance until order has been restored. Ii
the District of Columbia and in the ter
.ritories the federal law covers the entire
field OF government; but the labor ques
tioh is only acute In populous centers o.
commerce, manufactures or mining
Nevertheless, both in the enactment anC
An the enforcement of law the fedora
government within its restricted spher,
should set an example to the state gov
sernments especially in a matter so vita
sas this affecting labor. believe that un
der modern Industrial conditions 1t Il
often necessary, and even where no
necessary 1t Is yet often wise. that ther
should be organization of labor in orde
better to secure the rights of the indvid
vual wage worker All encouragement
should be given to any such organiza
tion, SO long as 1t Is conducted with
due and decent regard for the rights o
Others There are In this country som
labor unions which have habitually. an
other labor unions which have often
been among the most effective agents Il
working for good citizenship and for up
lifting the condition of those whose wei
fare should be closest to our hearts. Blu
when any labor union seeks tmprope
ends, or seeks to achieve proper ends b
improper means. all good citizens an
more especially all honorable public sery
ants must oppose the wrongdoing a
sresolutely as they would oppose tn
-wrongdoing OF any great corporation. Q
course any violence. brutality or corruJ