Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


The Presidents message to Congress
has been published in full in the Des-
eret News II was so divided and sub
headed that the hasty reader could Sc
loct such portions as he desired par
tlcularly to study, and that persons
who had not time to digest the entire
document could understand each sub
ject treated. sufficiently to grasp its
meaning. There is no need therefore
to summarize the message fully But
we win add few comments on It's
general purport and composition,
The universal opinion seems to be
that the document Is unnecessarily
lengthy. This view is confirmed on
a full perusal. Not that 1t is super
fuous as to language or redundant in
style. Every subject touched upon Is
set forth In simple phrases and sem
fences. and the writer's meaning is
conspicuous and easily comprehendcd
But many of the chapters IN the mes
sage are treatises that would adoru the
pages OF literary magazine, and viii
no doubt be quoted by authors and
orators when touching on similar top
les. They therefore appear less suit
able IN an executive address to a leg
islatiye body. which Is supposed to
have for It's chief purpose recommended
lions for consideration and action.
Yet with these criticisms fully IN
view 1t must be admitted that each
subject is fairly and intellgently dis
cussed, and a temperate yet decisive
spirit is exhibited throughout. The
Presidents counsels are prudent and
timely and deserving OF respect not
only by the Congress but by the peo-
pie. There Is nothing partisan In the
ohtire state paper. no glorihcation of
person or party. no boasting of
achievements or extravagant promises
for the future. The questions OF the
hour that need immediate solution are
frankly stated, and there is no need
TO mistake the Presidents desires IN
relation to them.
The chief topics OF the message ara
these; The regulation of railroad and
other corporations by national rather
than state laws, especially in the fixing
of maximum rates for transportation
ana the abolition Of rebates. The rela-
lions between capital and labor. ex-
oessiye working hours and the settle
ment OF disputes, including the power
Of Injunction, the right Of which he
maintains. The decline in marriages
and the blrthrate, which he attribute,
largely, and we think incorrectly. TO
the entrance of woman into the sphere
of masculine employment, The estab-
lislment Of system OF inspection for
insurance and other corporations like
that OF bank examiners. which will no
doubt be vigorously resisted as "in-
vading private business" The aboll-
ton OF some unnecessary land officials,
and of needless public printing. The
continuance Of the Peace congress a
The Hague and the organization Of an
international board of arbitration, but
the retention Of efficient armies and
navles as necessary means of protec-
ton, disarmament being unwlse and
impractlcable. The maintenance Of the
Monroe doctrine, Revision OF the ma
turalization laws, and Of the criminal
laws 80 that they viii not favor the
accused to the extent OF defeating JUS
tlce. Reform in the land laws
FOR the benefit OF the bonn
fde settler instead OF the CAPT.
lalist and SPECTATOR Irrigation and
the forest resaryes Inspection and
distribution OF immigrants including
The Chinese question. The adultcration
~ foods. The sale OF liquor to Indians.
Tho Philippines question. which is pre-
scented in favorable light; the removal
Of the tariff from their products Is
advocated, The extension Of the fran
chlse on insular possessions" The ad-
mission of Oklahoma and Indian Terri
tory as one state and Of New Mexico
and Arizona MS another is strongly rec
commended. The speedy construction
of the Panama canal and the readiust-
ment Of salaries In the department OF
state close the Presidents suggestions
10 Congress.
We have mentioned only the prln-
eipal topics presented by the Presl-
Sent. The message should be folded
away and preserved By people who
take interest in the affairs OF the ma
hon They may need II for future ref
erence, and II will bear and repay
perusal at their leisure President
Roosevelt is evidently in earnest IN all
his efforts for the welfare OF the coun-
sry. and this is made clearly manifest
In his address to the Congress, as II is
m all his works and his words on pub
lie matters. He has proven an adj
mirable executive the representative
u the entire people of the United
States of all classes and parties. and
he Ipirit that has animated him
Throughout his official career, shines
forth in the document which We have
thus very briefly reviewed.
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