Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1905-12-08

respecting. too TT FOR self government. ever
is not t and never shall be government BY .
plutocracy This government is not and
never shall be government BY mob. y
shalt continue TO be in the future what 1t
has been In the past. a government based on
the theory that each man. rich or poor. Is 70
treated simply and solely on his worth as
a man that III his personal aud property
rights are 10 be safeguarded. and that he is
neither TO wrong others nor 10 suffer wrong
from others.
Insurance.
The great insurance companies AFFORD strik-
I'm examples OF corporations whose business
fas extended so lar beyond the jurisdiction Of
the states which created them as 10 pre-
dude strict enforcement ct supervision and
reputation BY the parent States. Ia my last
ANNA, message I recommended that the
Congress- carefully consider whether the pow
CT Gf the Bureau OF Corporations cannot con-
additionally he extended to cover Interstate
transactions In Insurance" Recent events
have emphasized The Importance OF an early
and exhaustive consideration OF this iues-
Zion to see whether Il Is not possible to fur.
nish better safeguards than the several
states have been able to furnish against cor
ruption OF the Dagrant kind which has been
exposed
The Revenues.
Touching the question of tariff and
revenue the views of the President are
as follows:
the attempt TO attain 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 Egch change inadvisable un-
less for grave reason. II is not possible TO
lay down any general rule by which to de-
[, rhine the moment when the reasons for
will outweigh the reasons against such
cuangc. Much must depend, not merely on
the needs, but on the desires. of the people
as a whole for needs and desires are not nee
eSs identical M rhapEe ra
be made lines beneficial TO, or desired
by one section OF one state only. There must
be something Ike general agreement among
the citizens of the several states, as repre-
santed in the Congress. that the change is
needed aud desired IN the interest of the
people 5s whole. ard there should then be
a sincere, intelligent and dsinterested effort
to make il In such shape as will combine, so
far 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 on the average, taking
series CT years together. equal the eXpendi-
lures or else the revenues must be increased
Last year there was deficit. Unless our ex-
perd!tures can be kept within he revenues
then our revenue laws must be readjustea
II is as yet too early TO attempt TO outline
what shape such a readjusment should take
for it is yet too early to say whether
there will be need for 1t. IT should be con-
sidered whether it is not desirable that the
tariff laws should provide for applying as
against or in favor of any other nation maAi-
murl and minimum tariff rates established ey
the Congress. so as to secure a certain Ietl-
procity OF treatment between other nations
and ourselves. Having in view even larger
considerations OF policy than those OF Il
purely economic nature. it would. in my
Judgment. be well TO endeavor to bring about
close: commercial connections with the other
people OF this continent. am happy TO be
n,He TO announce TO you that Russia now
treats Us on the most favored nation basis.
Economy in Expenditures.
The necessity for economy and a
rigid scrutiny Of appropriations is
made manifest, with this proviso:
Yet in speaking Of economy. must in no
wise be understood as advocating the false
economy which is In the end the worst ex-
travasance. TO cut duwn on the navy for
INSTANCE would be crime against The ua
ton To fail TO push forward ali work on
i-2 Panama canal would be its great icl!y.
~ Currency.
The currency question is dealt with
as follows:
Every consideration OF nrudcnce demands
the addition OF the element uf elasticity 10
Our currency system The evil does not CON
sist 10 IN adequate volume OF money but in
the rightly OF this volume. which does not
respond It should TO, the varying needs Of
communities and OF Seasons. Imitation must
be avoided: but some provision should be
made that will insure = larger volume Of
money during the fall and winter mon. hi
than in the less active seasons O! the yea,
SO that the currency will contract against
speculation, and vii! expand. Tor the needs
Try department is al irregulariy recurring in-
tervals obliged. in the interest OF the bust
ness worid--that Is. in the interests OF the
American pubiic--to try TO avert financial
crises by providing a remedy which should
be provided by Congressional action.
Federal Elections.
On the subject of federal elections,
the President says:
1.-THE power OF the government to protect
the integrity OF the elections OF It's OVID Of
ficiais is inherent and has been recognized
and affirmed by repeated declarations OF the
Supreme court There is no enemy OF free
government more dangerous and nsne SO In
Sidious as the corruption OF the eecioTaie.
No one defends or excuses corruption and
ii would seem 10 foliuw that none would op-
pose vigorous measures to eradicate it. l
recommend the enactment OF law directed
against bribery and corruption in federal
elections The details Of such law may he
safely left 10 the wise discretion OF the Con
g:eSs. but it should go far as under the
constitution 1t is possible TO 60. and should
include severe penalties against him who
gives or receives hribs intended to influ-
ence his act or opinion eleetor; and
provisions for the publication not only OF
The expenditures for nominations and cleo
tons OF all candidates. but also OF all con
tributions received and expenditures made BY
political committees" @
! desire TO repeat this recommended ion. In
political campaigns in country as large
and popuIous as ours IT is inevitable that
there should he much expense OF an entirely
legitimate kind. This. OF course. means that
many contributions. aud some OF Them Of
large size. must be made. and rs Il matter
OF fact. in any big politi"ai contest such con-
tr'butions are always made to both sides It
Is entirely proper both 30 give aud receive
them. unless , there is an improper motive
ronhected with either gift or reception. II
they are extor,ed by any kind Of pressure
or promise: cypress or implied. direct or in
dEert III the way OF favor OF Immunity. then
the giving or receiving becomes rot only I'm
proper but criminal. II vii! undoubtedly be
difficult us matter Of practical detail to
shape an act which shall guard with reason
able certainty against such misconduct; but
If !: is possible TO secure by law the full and
verified publication in detail OF all the sums
contributed 10 and expended by The randl-
dates or committees Of any political parties
the result cannot but be Wholesome. All con-
trthntions by corporations 10 ANY political
committee or for amy political, purpose should
be permitted 10 use stockholders money for
such purposes. and. moreover. prohibition
Of this kind would be. as FAR as ii went Gu
effective method CT stopping the evils aim ed
al ia rorrunt practices acls Not only should
both the Hationai aad the several state les!s-
'A.ures FORBID aEy officer az a corpora ton
or about any election. but they should also
forbid such use OF money in connections with
any legislation save ny the employment OF
counsel in public manner for distinctly legal
services
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 own
and the impossibility OF the United
States using the doctrine as means
for ACKNOWLEDGMENT. The help af.
forded Santo Domingo in her escape
from the opportunities of foreign cred.
itors and rapacious revolutionists at
home is shown as case In point.
Army and Navy.
IL