New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
TO HOUSES OF CONGRESS-.
SUGGESTIONS and Recommendations
REGARDING National Legislation.

To the Senate and House Of representatives:
The nation continues TO enjoy noteworthy pros
,erity Such prosperity is OF course primarily
Sue TO the high individual average of our citi-
tenshfp taken together with our great naturai
resources; but important factor therein Is
lie working of our long continued governmental
policies. The people have emphatically ex-
pressed their approval Of the principles under
ying these policies and their desire that these
principles be kept substantially unchanged; al
hough of course applied in progressive spirit
o meet changing conditions.
The enlargement of scope OF the functions Of
he national government required by our de-
Teiopment nation involves. of course. in
crease of expense: and the
Caution Against period of prosperity through
Estravsasnce. which the country is passing
justifes expenditures for per-
nanent improvements far greater than would be
wise in hard times. Battleships and forts
public buildings and improved waterways
re investments which should be made
when we have the money; but album
liant revenues and large surplus always In
rite extravaganza. and constant care should be
aiken to guard against unnecessary increase of
he ordinary expenses Of government. The cost
Y doing government business should be regu-
ated with the same rigid scrutiny the cost
doing a private business.
In the vast and complicated mechanism Of
modern civilized life the dominant note is
he note Of industrialism: and the relations of
capital and labor. and
capital and Labor. pecially Of organized capt.
tai and organized labor TO
zach other and TO the public at large, come sec
nd In importance only to the intimate questions
family life. Our peculiar form of gov
rnInent, with its sharp division Of author
ty between the nation and the several
States has been, on the whole. far more
advantageous our development than a
more strongly centralized government. But 1t
undoubtedly responsible for much Of the diff
uIty Of meeting with adequate legislation the
lew problems presented by the total change IN
nouetrial conditions on this continent during
he last half century. In actual practice 1t has
iroved exceedingly difficult, and in many cases
impossible, 10 get unanimity Of wise action
nong the various States on these subjects
From the very nature Of the case. this is es-
eciaIIy true of the laws affecting the employ
nent of capital In huge masses
With regard to labor the problem is no less
important, but il is simpler. AS long as the
tates retain the primary control Of the police
cover the circumstances must be altogether ex-
RENE which require interference by the federal
authorities whether in the way Of safeguarding
he rights of labor in the way of seeing that
Frong is not done by unruly persons who Shield
themselves behind the name of labor. If there Is
esistance to the federal courts, interference
fifth the mails interstate commerce, or mol
station Of federal property, or # the State au-
horittes in some crisis which they are unable
face call for help, then the federal govern
aent may interfere; but though such interior
nee may be caused by a condition Of things
rising out Of trouble connected with some ques-
IF Lob into eiY0T1ty a
he form of restoring order without regard to
he questions which have caused the breach of
rder-tor TO keep order Is primary duty, and
q time Of disorder and violence all other
questions sink into allegiance until order has
zen restored. In the District Of Columbia and
the Territories the federal law covers the en-
ire field Of government; but the labor question
only acute IN populous centres of commerce,
manufactures or mining Nevertheless. both in
he enactment and in the enforcement of law
he federal government within it's restricted
phere should set example 10 the State gov
Tnments. especially in a matter so vital as
his affecting labor. 7 believe that under mod
IN Industrial conditions it is often necessary.
nd even where not necessary It is yet often
rise, that there should be organization of labor
n order better 10 secure the rights Of the in
ividual wage worker. All encouragement
hould be given to any such organization SO
ong as il is conducted with a due and decent
egard for the rights Of others. There are in
his country some labor unions which have
sabitually. and other labor unions which have
ften. been among The most effective agents In
Forklng for good citizenship and for uplifting
he condition OF those whose welfare should he
aosest 70 our hearts. But when any labor
fnion seeks improper ends. or seeks to achieve
roper ends by improper means, all good citizens
nd os-I ali
ants, must oppose the wrongdoing as resoutely
s they would oppose the wrongdong of anv
Teat corporation. OF course. any violence
rutality or corruption should not for one mo-
nent be tolerated. Wage workers have an en-
Ire right to organize, and by all peaceful and
'onorable means 10 endeavor to persuade their
elbows 10 Join with them in organizations They
ave legal right, which, according TO circum-
tances. may or may not be q moral right. TO
efuse TO work in company with men who de-
lire TO Join their organizations They have
Inder no circumstances the right 10 commit
iolence upon those whether capitalists or wage
Forkers, who refuse TO support their organiza-
IONS or who side with those with whom they
rs at odds for mob rule is intolerabIe In env
orm.
The wage workers are peculiarly entitled to
he protection and the encouragement of the law.
from the very nature Of their occupation rail-
road men, for instance, are liable
Employers 10 be MANNED in doing the legitf-
liability Law. mate work of their profession
unless the railroad COMPANIES
re required by law 10 make ample provision for
heir safety. The administration has been
ealous in enforcing the existing law for
his purpose. That law should be amended and
trengthened. Wherever the national govern
nent has power there should be a stringent en-
hoyers liability law. which should apply 10 the
government itself where the government is an