Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-12-13

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in detail o. ala che sums contributed
to and expended by the candidates or
committees of any political parties
the result can not but be wholesome.
All contributions by corporations to
any political committee or for any
political purpose should be forbidden,
directors should not be permitted to
use stockholders money for such pur-
poses; and, moreover, prohibition
of this kind would be, as far as it
went, an effective method of stopping
the evils aimed at in corrupt practices
acts. Not only should both the ma
tional and the several state legisla-
lures forbid any officer of corpora
ton from using the money of the cor
poration in or about any election, but
they should also forbid such use of
money in connection with any legisla-
ton save by the employment of coun-
sci in public manner for distinctly
legal services.
Peace.
The coming Hague conference was
eulogized. The president declaring
that mo object is better worthy the
attention of enlightened statesman
ship than the establishment of
surer method than now exists of Sc
curing justice as between nations.
both for the protection of the little
nations and for the prevention of war
between the big nations To this aim
we should endeavor not only to avert
bloodshed, but above all, effectively to
strengthen the forces of right"
Speaking of the Monroe doctrine the
president said that. In the first place
we must as nation make it evident
that we do not intend to treat it in
any shape or way as an excuse for
ACKNOWLEDGMENT on our part at the ex-
pense of the republics to the south.
We must recognize the fact that in
some South American countries there
has been much suspicion lest we
should interpret the Monroe doctrine
as in some way inimfcal to their in
terests, and we must try to convince
all the other nations of this continent
once and for all that no Just and or
derby government has anything to
fear from us. This country he added
would certainly decline to go to war
to prevent foreign government
from collecting a just debt; on the
other hand, it is very inadvisable to
permit any foreign power to take pos
session, even temporarily, of the Gus
tom-houses of an American republic
in order to enforce the payment of its
obligations; for such temporary occu-
patton might turn into a permanent
occupation. The only escape from
these alternatives may at any time be
that we must ourselves undertake to
bring about some arrangement h
which so much as possible CT :. just
obligation shall be paid 1t IS far
better than this country should put
through such an arrangement, rather
than allow any foreign country to I'M
dertake it; and this is what we are
doing in Santo Domingo.
The Army.
Coming to the army and navy the
president said that provision should
be made by sufficient appropriations
for maneuvers of a practical kind so
that the troops may learn how to take
care of themselves under actual serv-
ice conditions; every march, for in
stance. being made with the soldier
loaded exactly as he would be in an
active campaign. Provision should
be made for the exercise at least OF a
brigade and by preference Of divi-
sion in marching and embarking at
some point on our coast and disem-
barking at some other point and con
tinuing it's march. The number of
posts in which the army is kept in
time of peace should be materially
diminished and the posts that are
left made correspondence larger.
Promotion by mere seniority can never
result in a thoroughly efficient corps
/ of officers in the highest ranks unless
there accompanies 1t a vigorous weed
ing-out process. Such a weeding-out
process--that is, such a process Of Sc
lectior-is a chief feature Of the four
years course of the young officer at
West Point There Is no GOOD reason
why it should stop Immediately upon
his graduation.
I+ a~o. ,,4 soar, ~ tba ,xses-f 4 Ont
necessary that the navy shouldn't
least in the immediate future-be in.
creased beyond the present number OF
units. What is now clearly 1eces
sary is to substitute efficient roT 1ner
fieient units as this litter become
worn-out or as 1t becomes apparent
that they are useless. probably the
result world be attained by adding a
single batueship to cur navy each
year. There is urgent need Of pro
viding large increase in the number
of officers, and especially in the mum
Der OF enlisted men. Recent naval his
tory has emphasized certain lesson,
which ought not To, but which do.
need emphasis Seagoing torpedo
boats or destroyers are Indispensable.
not only for making night attacks by
surprise upon an ensIG5, but even In
battle for finishing already crippled
ships. Under exceptional circum-
stances submarine boats would doubt.
less he of use. Fast scouts are
needed. The main strength of the
navy. however. lies and can only lie