The Monticellonian., 1905-12-07

from rank to rank. In both the army and the navy there should be some principle Of selection. that is of promotion for merit, and there should be a reSolute effort to eliminate the aged officers of reputable character who possess no special eff ciency. There should be an increase in the coast artillery force, so that our coast for thcations can be in some degree adequate F manned
 The president believes that our navy has al present reached a strength sufficient for our present needs, and says: our navy must relatively to the navies of other na- uoEs always be of greater size than our army. We have most wisely continued fOr number Of years to build up our navy, and it has now reached fairly high stand ard Gf efficiency. This standard Of eifi- ciencE must not only be maintained, but Increased. It does not seem 10 me neces- sary, however. that the navy sheuld-at least in the immediate future-be in- creased beyond the present number or units What Is now e.eaf.y necessary Is to substitute efficient for inefficient units as thc latter become worn ont or as tt becomes apparent that they are useless. What we heed n5w is additional seameE. large store of reserve guns, and sutii- esent meRey for ample target practice and al forms Of sea practice.
 immigration question.
 The question of immigration. says the president. is one Of vital interest to tha country, and lesis ation governing the in tsaN of aliens is hadts needed. on this sub ject he says. The prime need is to keep cut al immigrants who will not make geod American citizens The laws now ex- Isting for the exclusion of undesirable inn migrants should be strengthened. Ade- quate means should be adopted, enforced by sufficient penalties. to compel steam- skip companies engaged in tue passenger business to observe in good faith the law which E0tb!ds them to encourage or solicit immigration 10 the United States. More over there should be a sharp limitation imposed upon al vessels coming to our ports as 10 the number of immigrants in ratio to the tonnage which each vessel can carry This ratio should be high enough to insure the coming tither of as good q class of aliens as possible Provi- sion should be mace for tee surer punish mcnt Of these wha induce aliens 10 come to this country under promise CT assur= ance of cmp.oyment IL should be made possible to inliet a sufficiently heavy penalty on any employer violating this law 10 deter him from taking the risk. It seems ta me wise that there should be sB international conference held 10 deal with this question Of immigration. which has moro han merely national signiicances such q conference could among other things enter at length into the methods for securing q thorough inspection Of would be immigrants at the ports from which they desire to embark before permitting them to embark" In regard 10 the Chinese ex- eiusion laws the president says: Chinese students business and professional men or all kinds-not only merchants, but bank CTS, doctors, manufacturers. professors. travellers and the like-shoutd be eneour- aged 10 come here and treated on precisely the sane footing that we treat students. business men, travellers and the like or other nations Only the Chinese of the eoolfe class, and Chinese skilled and un- skilled laborers should be excluded, Ee be- i,yes.
 The Panama Canal.
 Tie sanitary work on the isthmus or Panama preparatory 10 beginning the actu- al work Of excavation has almost been completed with satisfactory results. Con gross is asked to aid the furtherinS tho work of building the canal so that it may be completed in the spe edest possible time In addition, tEe president says: ..Aetive work in canal construction, main Y preparatory has been in progress for less than d year and half During that period two points about the canal hayo ceased to be open 10 debate First, tho question of route; the canal will be built 
 question of feasibility. there are no phyi- cal obstacles on this route that American engineering skill viii not be able to ever come without serious difficulty. or that will prevent the completion of lhe canal within reasonable time and at reason able cost This is virtually the unani- nous testimony of the engineers who have investigated the matter for the soHern- meHt.
 Minor Matters.
 Conditions in the Philippine islands ars generally satisfactory. Tranquility has existed during the past year with the ex- ceptiou of q few minor disturbances. A paragraph is devoted to the further ance of an American merchant marine and the attention of congress is called 10 the report of the merchant marine commis- sion.
 The pension bureau is congratulated for is excellent work during the past year. Recommended that action be taken by con gross looking to government care or graves of ConfCdCratcs.
 Regarding the currency, the president says that imitation must be avoided but that some provision should be made that win insure larger volume of money dur inl. the fali and winter months than in thu .ess active seasous Of the year
 Enactment of q iaw directed against bribery and corruption in federal elections is again urged
 LegIsation favored to cover cases or breaches of trusi in the public service.
 Legislation coufering American citizen ship ou al citizens of Porto Rico Is advo- eated.
 Recommended that Indian Territory ard Oklahoma and that New Mexico and Ari- zoHa be admitted into the union as two states
 Copp'ctc revision of the copyright 10 meet modern conditions declared neees- -drX.
 Thc work of the eiVE service commission Is commented and the earefa, eensidera- ton of he recommendations made by tho commission is urged upoH congress-
 Govern meut work in connection with the construction and maintenance of lcveeS along lie Mississippi should be coE.iR- ued.
 Pension favored for members Of the life- saving service
 in the judgment of the president immedi- ate steps snoulG he taken for the fortitiea- tion of the Hawaaaa islands
 Elective delegate to congress is recom- menIed for Alaska.
 Standardization laws are in need Of reVi- sion. Favorable action hoped for on report of commission appointed by president to revise them.
 Abo.ishmcat of fee system Of our con- suiaT service favored. Other rCcommenda- tIonS for bettcrmcEt or service alSo made Several changes in the public land laws are recommended, Recent developments have given new urgency to the need for such changes as viii fl these .aws 70 aetu- al present conditions.
 A Law regulating interstate commerce in misbrandcd and adulter.ted foods, 7riHks and drugs is urged.
 Heard It Before.