Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-12-05

srcb a change No change can be
made on lines beneficial 10 or desired
nv one section or one state only. 1here
must he sor.cihing Ike genera agree
ment among the citizens OF the 'eVerai
statcs that the change IL needed and
desired I'm the interest 81 the people a. "a
whole and there should then be a sin"
cere intelligent and diSinteres'cd ef-
fort TO make /, in such shape rs VIII
combine. 50 far as possible. the maxi
mum of COOL 10 the people Mt large
with the minimum Of necessary disre-
gard for the special interests OF iocah-
ties or classes. but in time OF peace
the revenue must. on the average
taking series Of years together. equal
tho exnendtures or else the revenues
must be Increased. Last year there
was a deficit. Unless our expenditures
can he kept within the revenues then
our revenue laws must be readjusted.
If IL impossible TO outline what shape
such readiustment should take, for
Il is as yet too early to say whether
there will be need for IT, II should ne
considered whether IL IL not desirable
that the tariff laws should provide for
aDplying "a against or In favor OF any
other nation maximum and minimum
tariff rates established by the congress,
go rs to secure n certain reciprocity Oh
treatment between other nations and
ourselves.
Economy In Expenditures.
earnestly recommend to the con-
gress the need Of economy and, to tnis
end. of a rigid scrutiny Of appropria-
t,ons All unnecessary offices should
he abolished. In the public printing
also a large saving Of money can be
made. There is a constantly growing
tendency TO publish masses OF unlm-
nortant information at which no human
being ever looks.
Yet. in speaking of economy, must
in nowlse be understood as advocating
the false economy which is In the end
the worst extravaganza. To cut down
in the navy would be crime against
the nation. To fail to push forward all
work on the Panama canal would be
as great folly.
Currency.
Every consideration OF prudence de-
mands the addition Of the element or
elasticity to our currency system. The
evil does not consist In an inadequate
volume Of money. but in the rigidity
Of this volume. which does not respond
"a 1t 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 ac-
five 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 lrregularly
recurring intervals obliged In the inter
est of the business world-that Is, in
the interests of the American public
70 try to avert financial crises by pro-
ylding remedy which should he pro
ylded by congressional action.
Business Methods In Departments.
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
| --L 4. ,,.o mani Anal oOncluQl0ne
they have already confirmed and en-
phasized the general impression that
the organization of the departments Is
often faulty In principle and wasteful
in results. while many Of their business
methods are antiquated and inefiicient.
| recommend that the congress consider
this subject.
Federal Elections.
I'm nv 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
crnmCni more dangerous and none so
insid0us ~ the corruption OF TIE elect
crate. No one defends or excuses cor
ruption. and Il would seem to follow
that none would oppose vigorous meas
ures TO eradicate 1t. / recommend the
enactment Of a law directed against
bribery and corruption in federal cleo
tons. The details OF such a law may
be safely left TO the wise discretion OF
the congress. but il should 90 as far as
under the constitution II Is possible to
20 and should include severe penalties
against him who gives or receives a
bride intended TO influence his act or
opinion as an elector and provisions for
the publication not only Of the expend-
lures for nominations and elections of
all candidates. but also Of all contribu-
lions received and expenditures made
by political committees"
I desire to repeat this recommends
ton.
All contributions by corporations T.
any political committee or for any po
litical purpose should be forbidden by
law. directors should not be permitted
to use stockholders money for such
purposes. and. moreover, prohibition
of this kind would be, as far as II
went. 80 effective method Of stopping
the evils aimed at la corrupt practices
acts.
The Hague Conference.
The first conference OF nations held
at The Hague in 1893, being unable To
| disnnsn of all the hneiness before ~