Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-12-07

now an assured fact This government
VIII do everything In tie power to secure
the success OF the conference to the end
that substantial progress may be made
IN the cause OF international peace, JUS
tice and good will
In the conclusion of this subject he
says:
have dwelt much on the dangers
TO be avoided by steering clear OF any
mere foolish Bentimentality because
my wish for peace is so genuine and
earnest; because have real and
great desire that this second Hague
conference may mark a long stride
forward in the direction OF securing
the peace OF Justice throughout the
world. No object is better worthy the
attention of enlightened statesmanship
than the establishment OF surer
method than now exists of securing
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
endeayor not only TO avert bloodshed,
but, above all, effectively TO strengthen
the forces OF right. The Golden Rule
should be. and as the world grows in
morality II will be, the guiding rule
or conduct among nations as among
individuals; though the Golden Rule
must not be construed, in fantastic
manner, as forbidding tho exercise OF
free republic should ever deal with
all other states, great OF small. on a
basis of high honor, respecting theft
rights as jealously as IL safeguards its
own
The Monroe Doctrine receives
lengthy consideration, as does also the
appeal of Santo Domingo for assist
ance which the president believes IL
is our duty to give.
In treating of the subject of the
army and navy the president IA vors
a change in the method of promotion
He would promote officers on merit
Instead of by seniority, believing that
this method would be conducive to bet
ter efficiency than the one now In
vogue. He also recommends an in
crease in the coast artillery: the gar
risoning OF considerable bodies OF
troops at one place, and for an in
crease and reorganization of the med
leal service In both the army and
navy.
Naturalization Laws.
Legislation in line with the recommends
lions Of the naturalization commission ap-
pointed by the president last March is
asked for. These recommendations are
given as follows:
First. A federal bureau OF naturallza-
ton, to be established in the department
Of commerce and labor, TO supervise the
OA Nlb NATURALIZATION laws
and to receive returns Of naturalizations
pending and accomplished
Second. Uniformity OF naturalization
certificates, fees to be charged, and pro-
cedure
Third. More exacting qualifications for
Fourth. The preliminary declaration of
Intention TO be abolished and no alien to
be naturalized until at least 80 days after
thA filing of his petition
Fifth. Jurisdiction to naturalize aliens
10 be confined to United States district
courts and to such state courts as have
jurisdiction in civil actions in which the
amount In controversy Is unilmlted in
cities Of over 100000 inhabitants the
United States district courts to have ex-
elusive Jurisdiction In the naturalization
of the alien residents Of such cities.
Public Land Laws.
Recommendations for changes in the pub
lie land laws are made, and in this connec-
tion the president says:
The creation of small irrigated
Farms under the reclamation act is a
powerful offset to the tendency of GER
tain other laws to foster or permit
monopoly of the land. Under that act
The construction OF great irrigation
works has been proceeding rapidly and
successfully, the lands reclaimed are
eagerly taken up. and the prospect
hat the policy OF national Irrigation
will accomplish all that was expected
IL IL Is bright The act should be ex-
ended to include the state OF Texas.
The reclamation act derives much
II its value from the fact that II tends
% secure the greatest possible num-
Der OF homes on the land, and to Gre
tie communities of freeholders, in part
~ settlement on public land. in part
'y Forcing the subdivision OF large |
private holdings before they can get |
water from government irrigation |
works. The law requires that no right |
o the use of water for land in private |
ownership shall be sold for a tract |
exceeding 100 acres to any one land |
,wner. This provision has excited ac- |
I've and powerful hostility, but the |
uccess or the law itself depends on |
he wise and firm enforcement of IT, |
We cannot AFFORD to substitute tenants
or frceholders on the public domain.
The greater part of the remaining
ubllc lands cannot be irrigated They |
re at present and will probably al
Ways be of greater value for grazing
nan for any other purpose. This fact
as led to the grazing homestead OF
80 acres In Nebraska and to the pro-
osed extension of IL to other states.
Is argued that a family cannot be
on 100 acres OF arid grazing
and. This is obviously true; but
elther can a family be supported on
40 acres Of much of the land to which
is proposed to apply the grazing
omestead. To establish universally
ny such arbitrary limit would be un-
Use at the present time. It would
result on the one hand in
the holdings OF some OF the
reat land owners and on the other
needless suffering and failure ON
he part OF very considerable pro-
ortton of the bona fide settlers who
I've faith to the implied assurance OF
ne government that such an area Is !
The best use OF the public
razing lands requires the careful ex-
and classification Of these
'nds In order to give each settler
M enough 70 support his family and
more While this work Is being
one' and until the lands are settled,
lie government should take control Of
le open range, under reasonable reg
auons suited to local needs, follow
u the general policy already in sue
'ssful operation on the forest re-
rVes, IL Is probable that the present /
'azing value of the open public range
scarcely more than half what IL |
ice was or what IL might easily be
gain under careful regulation.
The Immigration Question.
Several recommendation looking IN
ranges In the present Immigration laws
re made. and he suggests that United
lates government agents pass upon immi-
rants before they leave their native shores
" this country. He also recommends such
lunges In the laws n y,,nuia - --',-