Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-12-09

uStu VI 4 Adf StttNttt "nA htott NAt-
form regulation of the vast Insurance
interests of this country. The United
States should IN this respect follow the
policy OF other nations hy providing
adequate national supervision of com
lnercsal interests which are clearly ma
tlonaI in character.
/ ] repeat my previous recommends
ton that the congress should consider
whether the federal government has
any power or owes any duty with re-
speet TO domestic transactions In i'm
suranec of an interstate character
That state supervision has proved in.
adequate Is generally conceded,
THE REVENUES
There is more need Of stability than
of the attempt to attain an ideal per
lection Ia the methods Of raising rev-
enue. and the shock aud strain 10 the
business world certain 10 attend any
serious change in these methods rem
der such change nadvisable unless for
grave reason. 1t is not possible to lay
{, down any general rule by which to de
| termlne the moment when the reasons
for win outweigh the reasons against
such a change No change can be
made on lines beneficial TO or desired
/ by one section or one state only. There
must be something like a general agree
ment among the citizens OF the several
states that the change is needed and
desired in The interest OF the people rs a
| whole, and there should then be sin
xt,fn tfa9 IF
fort to make Ii in such shape as will
combine. 50 far as possible, the MAXI
mum of good 10 the people ut large
! with the minimum Of necessary disre-
gard for the special interests Of locaii-
ties or classes, but III time Of peace
the revenue must, on the average,
taking a series of years together equal
the expenditures or else the revenues
must be increased East year there
was deficit Unless onr expenditures
can be kept within the revenues then
our revenue laws must be reaajusted.
1t is impossible 60 outline what shape
such reimbursement should take, for
it is as vet too early TO say whether
there will be need for IT, II should be
considered whether tits not desirable
that the tariff laws should provide for
applying as against or in favor Of any
other nation maximum and minimum
tariff rates established by the congress,
so as to secure certain reciprocity of
treatment between other nations and
ourselves.
| ECONOMY IN EXPENDITURES
earnestly recommend 10 the con
4 gress the need of economy and, 20 this
end, of a rigid scrutiny Of appropria-
lions An unnecessary Offices should
be abolished La the public printing
also large saving OF money can be
made There Is a constantly growing
tendency 70 publish masses Of unim-
lportant information at which no human
being ever looks
Yet, in speaking Of economy, | must
/ In nowise be understood as advocating
the false economy which Is ii The end
the worst extravaganza no cut down
in the navy would be a crime against
The nation To fail to push forward all
work on the Panama canal would be
as great a folly
CURRENCY
Every consideration of prudence de-
mands the addition of the element of
elasticity 10 our currency system. The
evil docs not consist in an inadequate
volume of money, but in the rigidity
of this volume which does not respond
as it should to the varying needs Of
communities and OF seasons. Imitation
must be avoided, but some provision
should be made that viii insure a
larger volume OF money during the fall
sand winter months than in the less ac-
tive seasons Of the year, so that the
currency will contract against specula-
ton and will expand for the needs Of
legitimate business. AT present the
treasury department is at irregulariy
recurring intervals obliged in the inter
est of the business world-tliat Is, in
the interests OF the American public
to try to avert financial crises by pro-
yidng remedy which should be pro-
vided by congressional action.
BUSINESS METHODS IN DEPART
MENTS.
At various times have instituted in
vestigations into the organization and
conduct of the business of the execu-
tive departments. While none of these
inquiries have yet progressed far
enough to warrant final conclusions.
they have already confirmed and en-
phasized the general impression that
the organization of the departments is
often faulty in principle and wasteful
I'm results, while many OF their business
methods are Anticipated and inefficient.
| recommend that the congress consider
this subject.
| FEDERAL ELECTIONS.
In my last annual message | said.
| THE power OF the government to
protect the integrity Of the elections Of
its own officials Is inherent and has
been recognized and affirmed by re-
peated declarations OF the supreme
court There Is no enemy Of free gov
eminent more dangerous aud none so
insidious as the corruption OF the elect
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