Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-12-12

Our navy must, relatively to the ma.
vies of other nations, always be OF
greater size than our army. We have
most wisely continued for number OF
years to build up our navy, and II
has now reached a fairly high Standard
of efficiency. This standard must not
only be maintained. but increased
In my last message'I asked the at
tention of the congress to the urgent
need of acton to make our criminal
law more effective. and ! most ear
nestly reques. that you pay heed to the
report of the attorney general on this
subject.
To the srrcad Of our trade in peace
and the defense Of our flag In war
great and prosperous merchant marine
Is Indispensable. We should have ships
of or cwI aId Seamen of our own to
convey OF: goods to neutral markets
ana in case of Lled to re-Cnforce our
battle line.
II is Il matter of unmixcd satisfac-
ton TO call attention to the excellent
work of the pension bureau. for the vet
Grams OF The Civil war have Il greater
claim upon us than any other class OF
citizens. TO them first Of all among our
people honor is due.
We cannot have too much immigra-
ton of the right sort, and we should
have none whatever Of the wrong sort.
The questions arising in connection
with Chinese immigration stand by
themselves. Asa people we have talked
much Of the open door in China. and we
expect and quite rightly intend to insist
upon justice being shown us by the
Chinese. But we cannot expect to re-
ceive equity unless we do equity.
The civil service rule has been amend
ed by providing that where the inef-
ficiency or incapacity comes within the
personal knowledge Of the head Of
department the removal may be made
without notice, the reasons therefor be-
Ing filed and made a record Of the de-
partment.
Our copyright laws need revision.
The agricultural conditions of the ISL
ands enforce more strongly than ever
the argument in favor of reducing the
tariff on products of the Philippine Isl
nnds entering the United States.
Immediate steps should be taken for
the fortifcation Of Hawaii. This is the
most important point in the Pacific to
fortify in order to conserve the inter
ests of this country. 1t would be hard
to overstate the Importance Of this
need.
/ earnestly advocate the adoption Of
American citizenship on all citizens Of
Porto Rico.
l earnestly ask that Alaska be given
an elective delegate.
recommend that Indian Territory
and Oklahoma be admitted as one state
and that New Mexico and Arizona be
admitted as one state.
Active work in canal construction.
mainly preparatory. has been in prog
ress for less than a year and half.
During that period two points about
the canal have ceased to be open to
debate First. the question Of route:
second. the question of feasibility. The
point which remains unsettled is wheth-
er the canal shall be one Of several
locks above sea level or at sea level
with single tide lock. On this point
hope to lay before the congress at an
early day the findings Of the advisory
board of American and European en-
gineers.
In addition to sanltatlng the lsthmus.
satisfactory quarters are being prOvid
ed for employees and an adequate sys-
tenn Of supplying them with wholesome
food at reasonable prices has been
created. Hospitals have been estab-
lished and equipped that are without SUI
periors Of their kind anywhere. During
the past year large portion Of the
plant with which the work Is to be
done has been ordered.
What is needed now and without de-
lay Is an appropriation by the congress
to meet the current and accruing ex-
penses of the commission. The first
appropriation of SlO.OO0.OOO out of the
1885,, 100000 authorized by the Spooner
act was made three years ago. 1t Is
nearly exhausted. Unless the congress
shall appropriate before that time all
work must cease.
I'm conclusion the president recon-
mends an increase in the diplomatic
and consular service and more ade-
auate compensation Of its members