The Elbert County tribune., 1905-12-07
The Revenues.


Touching the question OF tariff and
revenue the views of the President are.
as follows:
There Is more need Of stability than OF
the attempt 10 attain an IDEAL perfection in
the methods Of raising revenue; and the
shock and strain to the business world GER
tain TO attend any serious change in these
methods render such change inadvisable un-
lay down any general ruie by which to de-
I rmine the u.on,ent when the reasons for
VIII outweigh the reasons against such
elange. Much must depend not merely
the needs, but on the desires. Of the people
whole; for needs and desires arc not
cssarily Identical OF course no change can
be nadn lines beneficial to. or desired
by, one section OF one state only. There must
the citizens OF the several states. repre-
sented in the Congress, that the change is
people whole; and there should then be
a sincere. intelligent. and disnterested 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 neees-
sary disregard for the special interests OF
localities classes. But in time OF peace
the revenue must on the average, taking
lures or else the revenues must be increased.
Last year there was deficit. Unless our ex-
penditures can be kept within the revenues
then our revenue laws must be readiusted.
1t is as yet too early to attempt to outline
what shape such readjusimeut should take,
there will be need for It. 1t should be con-
sidered whether i is not desirable that the
tariff laws should provide for applying as
against or in favor Of any other nation maxi
Inusl and minimum tarin rates established by
the Congress. so as 10 secure n certain reel
prooity Of treatment between other nations
and ourselves. Having In Wow even larger
purely eeenome @ na3urs pGSs man o,,Is thaSe oil @
Judgment. be well to eudeayor to bring about
close commercial connections with the other
people of this continent l happy TO be
able 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
economy which IS In the end the worst ex-
travagance. To cut down on the navy for
INSTANCE e. would be a crime against the ma
tie Panama canal would be as great a folly
Currency.
The currency question is dealt with
as follows:
Every consideration OF prudence demands
the addition @! the element Of elasticity TO
our currency system The evil does not CON
sist in an adequate volume OF money but in
| the rigidity Of this volume, which does not
respond as 1t should to the varying needs OF
| communities and Of seasons. Initiation must
| be avoided but some provision should be
made that Will insure larger volume OF
! than In the less active seasons of the year:
| so that the currency will contract agalns;
| of Legitimate business. Al present the Treas.
| try department is at irreguarly recurring in
tervals Obliged IN the interest OF the husi-
ness world-that Is. in the Interests OF The
| American public--to try TO avert financial
| 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
in ~ 10 lgaff ffs..,o tee
ficials is Inherent and has been recognized
| and affirmed by repeated declarations OF the
| government more dangerous and none so in
| sidioue as the corruption OF the electorate.
| NO one defeuds or excuses corruption. and
| 1t would seem "a follow that none would op-
| pose vigorous measures to eradicate H.
recommend tue enactment Of law directed
| against bribery aad corruption In federal
| elections The details q such law may be
| safely left 10 the wise discretion OF the Com
! gress, but IT should 20 as far as under the
constitution u is possible 10 CO. and should
.heluue in severe penaiues against him who
gives or receives bribe intended to infu-
ence hts act or opinion an ciector; and
| provisions for the publication not only Of
Tue expenditures Tor nominations and cleo
| Tors OF all candidates. but also of all con
| iributions received and expenditures made by
poIiticai committees.
| desire to repeat this recommendation. In
| poi,tical campaigns IN country as large
| 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 mad 10 hotb sidea IT
| Is entirely proper both TO give and receive
| them, unless there is an improper motive
| connected with either gift or reception. II
| they are extorted by any kind OF pressure
| or promise, express or implied. direct or IN
| direct, In the way Of favor or immunity. then
| proper but criminal. 1t will undoubtedly be
| difhcult as matter OF practical detail TO
| shape an act which shall guard with reason
| able certainty against such misconduct; but
| II II is possible TO secure by law the full and
| verified publication in detail OF all the sums
| contributed TO and expended by the candi-
| dates or committees Of any political parties
the result cannot but be wholesome. All con
tributlons 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. Il 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 Icgs-
| latures forbid any officer OF corporation
| from using the money Of the corporation in
| or about any election but thny should also
! forbid such use OF money IN oonneetious with
any legislation save by the employment Of
counsel in public manner for distinctly legal
services.
Army and Navy.
The President insists upon the ne
cessity for well trained body of sol
ders as n nucleus for an army in
time OF trouble. and that maneuvers
Of a practical kind should be under
taken to adapt the forces 10 actual
conditions of warfare. An increase in
the artillery force 50 that the coast
fortifications can be adequately man
ned is also recommended, with lib
eral appropriations for the building
and bringing to state OF perfecticn
of the United States navy.
Naturalization Laws.
OF our present naturalization laws.
the message says:
During The past year evidence has accu-
muiated 10 confirm The expressions con-
taned in my last two annual messages as
10 the importance OF revising by approprlafe
legislation our system Of naiiifalizing aliens
| appointed last March a commission 10 make
a careful examination of our naturallzing