The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1904-12-10

than IS now the case
Postal Service.
In the rostOflice Department the sC.y-
I've has Increased In efficiency. and con-
ditions as to revenue and expenditure
continue satisfactory. The Increase Of
revenue during the year was s9,35S,lSl.lO
or 60 per cent. the total receipts amount
ing TO slI3.SS2. G2i.3i. The expenditures
were Sl52 .362 ll6.70 an increase OF about
per cent over the previous year. being
thus Ss,sI9,i92,S6 In excess OF the cur
rent revenue. Included In these expcndi.
lures was total appropriation OF sl2..
$50. G31.35 for the continuation and extern.
sion OF the rural free delivery service
which was an increase OF $780,, 237.35
over the amount expended for this pur-
pose In the preceding fiscal year Large
as this expenditure has been the benen-
cent results attained In extending the
free distribution OF malls TO the residents
OF rural districts have justified the wis
dom OF the outlay. Statistics brought
down to the LIST OF October, 1905 show
that on that date there We're 27.l3s rural
routes established. serving approximately
1900, 600 OF people In rural districts re-
mote from postotiices, and that there
were pending at that time 3, $50 petitions
for the establishment Of now rural routes
The message here points out the
need for improvement in our consular
system, advises the creation of ma
tional art gallery and suggests the
enactment of national quarantine
law.
Laws Concerning Citizenship.
Not only are the laws relating to nat
uraiization now defective. but those re-
lating to citizenship OF the United States
ought also to he made the subject Of
scientific inquiry with n view to prob
able further legislation. by what acts
cxpatriation may be assumed to have
been accomplished, how long an Amer
lean citizen may reside abroad and re-
ccive the protection Of our passport.
whether any degree OF protection should
be extended to one who has made the
declaration Of intention TO become a citi-
zen OF the United States hut has not Sc
cured naturalization, are questions of
serious import involving personal rights
and often producing friction between this
government and foreign governments.
Yet upon these questions our laws are
silent. ! recommend that an examination
be made into the subjects Of citizenship
eSpatrlation. and protection OF Ameri-
cans abroad, with a view to appropriate
legislation.
Currency.
The attention OF the Congress should
be especially given TO the currency gucs-
ton, and that the standing committees
on the matter In the two houses charged
with the duty. take up the matter Of our
currency and see whether It Is not pos
siblc to secure an agreement In the bust
ness world for lettering tho system: the
committees should consider the question
OF the retirement of the rro"uhaclSs and
the problem of securing In our currency
such elasticity as Is consistent with safe
~. Every silver dollar should be made
by law redccmable In gold at the option
Of the holder
Merchant Marine.
/ especially commend to your immedl-
ate attention the cncuuragomrut OF our
merchant marine by appropriate legisla-
ton.
Tariff
on the tariff shall communicate with
you later.
immigration and Naturalization.
In dealing with the questions Of immi-
grafton and naturalization II Is iuds-
pensnbio to keep certain facts ever be-
fore the minds OF those who share in on
acting the laws First and foremost. let
US remember that the question OF being
good American has nothing whatever
to do with mans birthplace any more
than II has to do with his creed. In
every generation from the time this gov
eminent was founded men OF foreign
birth have stood In the very foremost
rank OF good citizenship, and that not
merely In one but IN every Held Of Amer
lean activity; while to try To draw dis
unction between the man who's, parents
came TO this country and the man whose
ancestors came to II several generations
back II n mere absutdity. Good Amcri-
canism Is matter ~ heart. Of consci-
ence. OF lofty aspiration, OF sound com
mon sense. but not Of birthplace or OF
creed.
There Is no danger Of having too many
Immigrants Of the right kind. But the
citizenship OF this country should not be
d.bascd. II II vital that ". should keep
high tho standard Of w.ll-b.inn among
our ~ane-work.rs, and therefore We
should not admit masses Of men who's.
standards OF living md whose personal
customs and habits are such that they
tend TO lower the level Of the American
wage worker.
Under the Constitution II II In the
power OF the Congress to establish n
uniform rule OF naturalization" and
numerous laws have from time TO time
been enacted for that purpose. which
have been supplemented In n few states
by state laws having special application.
There should be n comprehensive revision
Of the naturalization laws.
Protsetion OF Elections.
The power OF the government 10 pro-
t'ct the integrity Of tho election. OF its
own officials l. Inherent and has been
recognized and affirmed by repeated dec
iarations Of the Supreme court. There
Ii no enemy Of free government more
dangerous and none so insidious as the
corruption OF the electorate. No one de-
tends or excuses corruption, and II would
seem TO follow that none would oppos,
vigorous measures TO eradicate IL.
recommend tn. enactment Of a law d.
fcetcd against bribery and corruption ia
Federal elections, Tho details Of such a
law may 10 safely left 10 the wise discr..
ton Of the Congress. but It should 30
ns far NJ under IN" Constitution IL IL
Ina.llln In IN Ii nj -L-mIu INCLUDE ......-