Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1905-12-07

There is more need OF stability than of
the attempt to attain an ideal perfection in
the methods of raising revenue; and the
shock ard strain to the business world GER
tain to attend any serious change in these
methods render such change inadvisable IN
less for grave reason. 1t is not possible to
lay down any general rule by which to de-
termine the moment when the reasons for
will outweigh the reasons against such q
cAanse. Much must depend, not merely
the needs, but on the desires. OF the people
as whole: for needs and desires not nee
essarily identical. OF course no change can
be made on lines beneficial to, or desired
by. one section of one state only. There must
De something like general agreement among
the citizens of the several states. as repre-
sented In the Congress. that the change is
needed and desired in the interest of the
people as a whole. and there should then be
a sincere, intelligent, and disinterested effort
to make 1t IN such shape as will combine, so
tar as possible, the maximum of good to the
people at large with the minimum of neces-
sary disregard for the. special interests OF
localities or classes. But in time of peace
the revenue must the average, taking
a series OF years together. equal the expendi-
lures or else the revenues must be Increased
Last year there was a deficit. Unless our
pend!tures can be kept within the revenues
then our revenue laws must be readjusted.
what shape such REIMBURSEMENT should take.
Tor 1t is as yet too early to say whether
there will be need for il Il should be con
tariff laws should provide for applying as
against or in favor OF any other nation maxi
mum and minimum tariff rates established by
the Congress. SO as to secure certain reel
procity of treatment between other nations
and ourselves Having in view even larger
considerations of policy than those of
purely economic nature, it would, in my
Judgment. be well to endeavor to bring about
people OF this continent. / am happy to be
able to announce to you that Russia now
treats US on the most-favored-n basis.
Economy in Expenditures.
The necessity for economy and
rigid scrutiny of appropriations is
made manifest. with this proviso:
Yet, in speaking CT economy, I must in no
wise be understood as advocating the false
economy which is in the end the worst ex-
travagance. To cut down on the navy for
instance. would be a. crime against the ma
ton, To fail to push forward all work on
{ C Panama canal would be as great a folly.
Currency.
The currency question is dealt with
as follows:
the addition of the element of elasticity to
our currency system. The evil does not con-
the rightly of this volume, which does not
respond as IL should to the varying needs of
communities and OF seasons. Imitation must
be avoided; but some provision should be
made that will insure a larger volume OF
money during the fall and winter months
than in the less active seasons of the year;
so that the currency will contract against
speculation, and will expand for the needs
ny department is at irresuiariy recurring in-
tervals obliged, in the interest of the bus.-
ness world-that is. in the interests OF the
| crises by providing remedy which should
/ be provided by Congressional action
Federal Elections.
On the subject of federal elections,
| the President says:
THE power of the government to protect
| the integrity of the elections of its own Of
| fcials is inherent and has been recognized
| and affirmed by repeated declarations of the
! Supreme court. There is enemy of free
| government more dangerous and none SO in
| sidious as the corruption of the electorate
| No one defends or excuses corruption. and
| ii would seem to follow that none would OPP
| pose vigorous measures TO eradicate il. |
| recommend the enactment of law directed
1 against bribery and corruption In federal
/ elections; The details of such law may be
! safely left to the wise discretion of the Con-
| gress, but it should go far under the
| constitution it is possible to go. and should
/ include severe penalties against him who
gives or receives a bribe Intended to infiu-
| ence his act or opinion as an elector; and
! provisions for the publication not only of
tons of all candidates, but also of all con-
tributions received and expenditures made by
political committees"
! desire to repeat this recommendation. In
| political campaigns in a country as large
and populous as ours it is inevitable that
| there should be much expense of an entirely
! legitimate kind. This, of course. means that
many contributions. and some OF them of
| large size. must be made, and. as a matter
| OF fact. in any big political contest such con-
! tributions are always made to both sides. It
| is entirely proper both to give and receive
connected with either gift or reception. II
! they are eXtorted by any kind of pressure
| direct, in the way of favor or immunity, then
| the giving or receiving becomes not only i'm
proper but criminal. 1t will undoubtedly be
! difficult as matter of practical detail to
shape act which shall guard with reason
| able certainty against such misconduct; but
verified notification n detail of ho
| contributed to and expended by the candi-
| dates or committees OF any political parties
| the result cannot but be wholesome. All con-
| tributions by corporations to any political
| committee or for any political purpose should
| be forbidden by law; directors should not
| be permitted to use stockholders money for
| such purposes: and. moreover, a prohibition
| Of this kind would be. far as it went. an
at in corrupt practices acts Not only should
| both the national and the several state legis-
| latures forbid any officer of a corporation
| from using the money of the corporation in
/ or about any election. but they should also
forbid such use of money in connections with
| any legislation save by the employment OF
counsel in public manner for distinctly legal
| services
The position of the United States
with regard to The Hague confer
ence is clearly shown, the desire Of
the United States for continuance Of
the worlds peace being made appar
ent and the necessity for strength to
maintain a righteous position insisted
upon.
Celebrating on the many reasons ex
listing for the maintenance of the
| Monroe doctrine, the message points
| out how the interests of our southern
neighbors are identified with our OWE
and the impossibility of the United
States using the doctrine as a means
for ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. The help af
forded Santo Domingo in her escape
from the opportunities of foreign cred
itors and rapacious revolutionists al
home is shown as case in point.
Army and Navy.
The President insists upon the ne
cessity for a well trained body of sol
diers as nucleus for an army in
time of trouble, and that maneuvers
of a practical kind should be under
taken to adapt the forces to actua
conditions of warfare An increase il
the artillery force so that the coast
Notifications can be adequately man
ned is also recommended, with lib
eral appropriations for the building
and bringing to state of perfection
of the United States navy.
Naturalization Laws.
OF our present naturalization laws
the message says:
During the past year evidence has accu
! mulaJed to confirm the expressions cen
tanned in my last two annual messages a
to the importance of revising by appropriate
| legislation our system of naturalizing aliens
l appointed last March a commission TO max
a careful examination of our naturalizinl
laws, and to suggest appropriate measure
| to avoid the notorious abuses resulting from
the improvident or unlawful granting Of cit
| izenship. This commission, composed of al
officer OF the Department of State, of tn
| Department of Justice, and Of the Depart
| ment of Commerce and Labor. has dis
| charged the duty imposed upon 1t, and ha
submitted report, which will be transmitte,
to the Congress for its consideration, and
| hope, for its favorable action.
The distinguishing recommendations of tn
| commission are:
First. federal bureau of naturalization
to be established in the Department of Com
1 me La RI VII he odr ;rEg