The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1905-12-07

cident to. the wise development of the
Monroe Doctrine, or because we re-
gard the case of Santo Domingo as
standing wholly by itself, and to be
treated as such, and not on general
principles or with any reference to
the Monroe Doctrine.
Army and Navy.
We cannot consider the question of
our foreign policy without at the
same time treating of the Army and
the Navy. We now have very
small army-indeed, one well-nigh
infinitesimal when compared with the
army OF any other large nation. Of
course the Army we do have should
be as nearly perfect Of its kind and
for Its size as possible. / do not be-
lleve that any army in the world has
better average Of enlisted man or
better type of junior officer; but
the Army should be trained to act
effectively in mass. Provision
should be made by sufficient appro-
prlations for maneuvers of practi-
cal kind so that the troops may learn
how to take care of themselves under
actual service conditions; every march
for instance, being made with the
soldier loaded exactly as he would
be IN active campaign. The generals
and colonies would thereby have OPP
portunity Of handling regiments,
brigades, and divisions, and the com
misary and medical departments
would be tested in the field. Provis-
ion should be made for the exercise
at least of brigade and by prefer
ence Of a division in marching and
embarklng at some point and continu-
ing It's march. The number of posts
IN which the Army is kept in time of
peace should be naturally diminished
and the posts that are left made cor
respondingly larger. No local inter-
ests should be allowed to stand in
the way Of assembling the greater
part OF the troops which would at
need form our field armies in stations
OF such size as will permit the best
training to be given to the personnel
CT all grades, including the high Off
GERS and staff officers. To accom-
pllsh this end we must have not com
pany or regimental garrisons, btu
brigade and division garrisons.
| Federal r1oct;nnc
The President touches upon the
question of Federal elections, quot
ing the well known constitutional
provision that Congress shall be the
final judge Of the qualification of its
own members. He also declares
strongly against all forms of corrup-
ton and expresses regret at the grow
ing tendency to increase expenses in
connection with the conduct Of DO
litical campaigns. Briefly, he ad-
vocates the greatest possible purity
Of the ballot and the fullest free
dom of the exercise of the elective
franchise consistent with good gov
eminent.
immigration.
Thes ubject of immigration is treat
ed by Mr.. Roosevelt in particular
ly able and thoughtful manner. The
tendency of foreigners to congregate
lin sections of the country already
congested with people is deplored.
High-class foreigners are desirable
and are welcomed, but only those
with tendencies towards good citizen
ship and of Industrious and law-ab-
iding habits will add to the general
welfare Of the nation. 1t is pointed
out that our farming sections need
labor, and that all who come with
will to work will find ready welcome.
Criminal Laws.
In my last Message asked the
attention of the Congress to the ur-
gent need of action to make our
criminal law more effective; and I
most earnestly request that you pay
heed to the report Of the Aattorney-
General on this subject. Centuries
ago it was especially needful to
throw every safeguard round the ac-
cused. Such danger then was lest
he should be wronged by the state.
The danger is now exactly the reverse.
Breaches of Trust in Public Service.
There seems to be no statute Of
the United States which provides
for the punishment Of United
States attorney or other officer Of
the Government who eorruptly agrees
to wrongfully do or wrongfully re-
frain from doing any act when the
consideration for such corrupt agree
ment is other than one possessing
money value. This ought to be RENE
died by appropriate legislation.
Public Land Laws.
Once again / call your attention to
the condition Of the public-lsnd laws.
Recent developments have given new
urgency to the need for such changes
as will fit these laws to actual pres