New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1905-12-09

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 recommendation. In
political campaigns in a country as large
and popuous as ours II is inevitable that
there should be much expense OF an entrely
legitimate kind This, of course. means that
many contributions and some OF them or
large size, must be made, and, as matter
OF fact, in any big political contest such con-
tributons are always made to both sides. 1t
Is entirely proper both to give ana receive
them. unless there is an improper motive
connected with either gift or reception. II
they extOrted by any KIND OF pressure
or promise. express or implied direct or M
direct in the way OF favor or immunity. then
the giving or receiving becomes not only I'M
proper but criminal. 1t will undoubtedly De
difficult as a matter OF practical detail 10
shape act which shall guard with reason
able certainty against such misconduct: put
IL it Is possible to secure by law the full aud
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-
triputions by corporations to any pontlca,
committee or for any political purpose should
be forbidden by law directors should not
be permitted to stockholders money Tor
such purposes and moreover. prohibition
Of this kind would be. far as It went, an
effective method of stopping the evils aimed
at in corrupt practices acts. Not only should
both the national and the several state leSis-
latures forbid any officer Of corporation
from using the money Of me corporation in
or about any election, but they should also
forbid such use OF money in connections with
any legislation by the employment OF
counsel in public manner for distinctly legal
services.
The position of the United States
with regard to The Hague confer
ence is clearly shown, the desire of
the United States for continuance or
the worlds peace being made appar-
ent and the necessity for strength to
maintain a righteous position insisted
upon.
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 a means
for aggrandizement. The help af-
forded Santo Domingo in her escape
from the opportunities of foreign cred
itors and rapacious revolutiOnists at
home is shown as a case in point.
Army and Navy.
The President insists upon the ne
cessity for a well trained body of sol
diers as a nucleus for an army in
time Of trouble, and that maneuvers
of a practical kind should be under
taken to adapt the forces to actual
conditions of warfare. An increase in
the artillery force so that the coast
Notifications can be adequately man
ned is also recommended, with lib
eral appropriations for the building
and bringing to state of perfection
OF the United States navy.
Naturalization Laws.
OF our present naturalization laws,
the message says;
During the past year evidence has accu-
INFLATED to confirm the expressions
tanned in my last two annual messages as
to the Importance of revising by appropriate
legislation system Of naturalizing aliens
l appointed last March commission to make
a careful examination of our naturalzing
laws. and to suggest appropriate measures
to avoid the notorious abuses resulting from
the improvident or unlawful granting Of cit
izenship. This commission, composed OF an
officer of the Department OF State, of the
Department of Justice, and OF the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor, has dis
charged the duty imposed upon it. and has
submitted q report which will be transmitted
to the Congress for its consideration, and, I
hope, for its favorable action.
The distinguishing recommendations of the
commission are:
First A federal bureau OF naturalization,
to be established in the Department of Com
merce and Labor, to supervise the admins
tration OF the naturalization laws and to re-
ceive returns OF naturalizations pending and
accomplished.
Second Uniformity of naturalization GER
tifcates, fees to be charged and procedure.
Third. More exacting qualifications for cit
izenship.
Fourth The preliminary declaration OF in
tention to be abolished and no alien to be
naturalzed until at least ninety days after
the filing of his petition.
Fifth. Jurisdiction to naturalize aliens
to be confined to United States district courts
and to such State courts as have jurisdiction
in civil actions in which the amount in con-
troversy is unlimited: in cities of over 1O0.-
600 inhabitants the United States district
courts to have exclusive Jurisdiction in the
naturalization OF the alien residents Of such
cities.
Criminal Laws.
Legislation to make our criminal
laws more effective and to provide ad
equate punishment for breaches of
trust by public ofiicals Is urged, and
the promise made that all the power
OF the administration shall be devoted
to the de4ection and punishment OF
such wrongdoers.
The President continues:
Once again I call your attention to the
condition of the public-land laws. Recent
developments have given new urgency to the
need for such changes as will fit these laws
to actual present conditions. The honest dis
posal and right use of the remaining public
lands is of fundamental importance. The
ubiquitous methods by which the monopoliz-
ing OF the public lands is being brought
about under the present laws are becoming
more generally known, but the existing laws
H. aak ffr,, tuh nfFn iva I'm rnn.
concentrations OF the Public Lands commits.
sion upon this subject are wise aud should
be given effect.
The policy of creating forest re-
serves is shown to have met popular
approval, as has the initiation of for
est reserves.
Merchant Marine.
On the subject of the merchant ma.
rine, the message says:
To- the spread OF our trade in peace and
the defense of our flag in war great and
prosperous merchant marine is indispensable.
We should have ships OF our own and sea-
men Of our own to convey cur goods to neu-
trail markets, and in case or need to REIN
force our battle line. 1t cannot but be
source OF regret and uneasiness to US that
the lines OF communication with our sister
republics of South America should be chief
iy under foreign control 1t is not good
thing that American merchants and manu-
facturers should have to send their goods
and letters to South America via Europe il
they wish security and dispatch. Even on
the Pacific. where our ships have held their
own better than on the Atlantic, our mer-
chant nag is now threatened through the lib
eral aid bestowed by other governments on
their own steam lines. | ask your earnest
consideration Of the report with which the
Merchant Marine commission has followed
its long ard careful inquiry.
Praise of the good work OF the PEN
sion bureau with an acknowledge
ment of the debt the country owes
to the veterans Of the Civil war fol-
lows.
immigration.
Continuing, the message shows