The Bourbon news., 1904-12-09


OF the Agricultural Department.
Outlines Our Relations with For
eissn Countries and with the Phil
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-
gress makes some $4,000 words In ac-
oordance with established custom con-
siderable space is devoted to a 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, 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-
tives: The nation continues to enjoy note
worthy prosperity. Such prosperity is of
course primarily due to the high indiyid-
uaJ average Of our citizenship. taken to-
but an important factor therein is the
working of our long-continued govern
mental policies. The people have en-
phatically expressed their approval CT
the principles underlying these policies,
and their desire that these principles be
kept substantially unchanged, although
Of course applied in a progressive spirit
20 meet changing conditions.
Caution Against Extravaganza.
q Ia ont Of Of
tons OF the national government required
by our development as nation involves
OF course, increase of expense; and the
period of prosperity through which the
country is passing justifies expenditures
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
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
HE 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 it
Is undoubtedly responsible for much of
the difficulty of meeting with adequate
legislation the new problems presented
by the total change in Industrial condi-
J "1ns on this continent during the last
--Ylf-century. In actual practice it has
proved exceedingly difficult and in many
cases impossible, to get unanimity of
q wise action among the various states on
these subjects From the very nature of
the case this is especially true of the laws
anecting the employment of capital in
huge masses.
With regard to labor the problem is NO
less important, but it is simpler. AS long
as the states retain the primary control
\ OF the police power the circumstances
must be altogether extreme which re-
Qulre interference by the federal author
iues, whether in the way of safeguard
Ing the rights of labor or in the way Of
seeing that wrong is not done by un-
tuIy persons who shield themselves be-
hnd the name of labor. If there is re-
siS'ance to the federal courts, interfer-
ehce with the mails, or interstate COM
merce, or molestation of federal proper
", or If the state authorities in some
crisis which they are unable to face call
1ot Delp, then the federal government
'"dy interfere; but though such interfer-
ence may be caused by condition OF
Mlngs arising out of trouble connected
WIN some question of labor, the interfer-
eice itself simply takes the form of re-
IT, order without rd n he
"ons which have caused the breach of
s'uef-Ior TO keep order is a primary
Suy and In time of disorder and vio-
nee all other questions sink into abey-
ence until order has been restored. In
e Dlstrlct of Columbia and in the ter
OoNes the federal law covers the entire
eu OF government; but the labor ques-
u ~ ~ Is only acute in populous centers of
herce, manufactures or mining.
A ,efertneless both in the enactment and
me enforcement of law the federal
II NeTn Tnment within its restricted sphere
ouo set an example to the state gov
'nents. especially in matter so vital
nis affecting labor. 1 believe that un-
M modern industrial, conditions it is
nao h necessary. and even where not
\ sSeeSsary 1t Is yet often wise, that there
he,u oe organization of labor in order
10 secure the rights of the individ-
81 sho, ,wdge-Worker. All encouragement
uo oe given to any such organiza-
d. SO long as it is conducted with a
en- ana decent regard for the rights of
d hhe There are in this country some
en- Unions which have habitually, and
ker laoor unions which have often
# sori.d among the most effective agents in
lt,i Tor good citizenship and for up
iare the condition of those whose well
sbers should be closest to our hearts But
81 Mends any labor union seeks improper
Winnroor or seeks to achieve proper ends by
UncreV Vper per means. all good citizens and
s must oppose the the o wronrdoinr IlIo as
sfonsSLy as they would oppose the
coersss ssooIng Of any great corporation. or
apy violence, brutality or corrup-