Omaha daily bee., 1905-12-06

needs and desires are not necessarily iden-
tical OF course, no change can be made
on lines beneficial to. or desired by, one
section OF one state only. There must De
something like n general agreement among
the citizens OF the several statos az repre-
sented in the congress, that the change
Is needed and desired in the interest OF
the people as a whole; and there should
then DO a sincere, intelligent and disin-
terested effort to make II In such shape
as viii combine so far as possible, the
maximum Of good TO the people al large
with the minimum OF necessary disregard
for the special interests Of localities OF
classes. But in time Of peace the revenue
must on the average, taking series OF
years together. equal the expenditures OF
else the revenues must be increased Last
year there was deficit. Unless our ex-
pendltures can be kept within the revenues
then our revenue laws must be readjusteo'
ECONOMY in Expenditures
The president goes on to ask rigid
scrutiny OF appropriations. endorses the
recommendation OF the land commissioner
for the adjustment of the office OF re-
ceiver of public moneys in land omces,
promising a saving Of t1.00o,00o year and
declares that a large saving can also be
made in the public printing. yet objects to
false economy. citing az an example any
act to cut down the navy.
Currency.
In a brief paragraph a plea is made for
greater elasticity In our monetary system.
AT present" he says, "the Treasury de-
partment is at irregular recurrent inter-
walls obliged In the interest world to
try to avert financial crises by providing
remedy which should be provided by con-
gressional action"
Business Methods An Departments.
The investigations Instituted in the con-
duct of affairs OF the executive depart
ments are cited and the difficulties met
with adverted to. The president contin-
ues: II recommend that congress con-
slider this subject with a view to provide
by legislation for the transfer, distrlbu-
ton, consolidation and assignment Of du-
ties and executive organizations, or parts
of organizations. and for the changes in
business methods within or between the
several departments that will best pro-
mote the economy. efficiency and high
character Of the government work"
Federal Elections,
The president renews the recommends
ton for the enactment OF law directed
against bribery and, corruption in federal
elections. His reference to recent dis
closures Of questionable campaign contribu-
lions reads:
In political campaigns in a country as
large and populous as ours II is inevitable
that 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 matter, of fact, in any big political
contest such contributions are always made
10 both sides. 1t 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 sor. promise express or
implied direct or indirect in the way Of
favor or immunity, then the giving or re-
ceiving becomes not only Improper but
criminal. 1t will undoubtedly be difficult
as matter of practical detail to shape an
act which shall guard with reasonable GER
tainty against such misconduct; but II IL
Is possible to secure by law the full and
Verined publication in detail OF all sums
contributed to and expended by the candi-
dates or committees of any political parties
the result cannot but be wholesome All
contributions by Corporations to any politi-
cal COMMITTEES or for any political 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
Tar as It went,Hsan effective method of
stopping the neYIlH aimed at in corrupt
practices acts sss3t only should both the
national and thetSeVeral state leRisIat,ires
forbid any officer OF a corporation from
using the money OF the corporation in or
about any election. but they should also
forbid such use OF money in connection
with any legislation save by the employ
tinctly legal services.
The Hague Conferences.
The first conference of nations held at
Inc hague in 1899, being unable to dispose
OF all the business before It, recommended
the consideration and settlement of a num-
per OF important questions by another
conference to be called subsequently, ana
at an early date. These ouestions were
the Following: ]. The rights and duties OF
neutrals. 2. The Limitation of The armed
forces on land and sea and of military
budgets. 3. The use OF new types and cali
pres OF military and naval guns. e. The
lnVlolability of private property at sea I'm
times OF war. g. The bombardment of ports
cities and villages by naval forces.
IN october, 1904. at the instance of the
1nterparliamentary union, which at a con-
ference held in the United States and at
tenoed by the lawmakers OF fifteen dif-
ferent nations. had reiterated the demand
lot a second conference of nations I issued
invitations TO all the powers siRnatorv no
The Hague convention to send deleGa tes
70 such conference and suggested that
II be again held at The Hague IN lis note
'of December 49, 1904 the Limited Statas
government communicated to the renre
sentsuVes OF foreign governments its belief
that the conference could be best ARRANGED
under the provisions of the present Hague
From. all the powers acceptsnca NO.,
received, coupled in some cases with the
coholtlon thnt we should wait until In.
END OF the war then waging between Rus
STA and Japan. THE emperor Of IlusSIo
Immediately after<the treaty OF peace vyhicb
SO happily terminated this war in a note
presented to the president on September
Is, through Ambassador Rosen toolr tha
initiative In recommending that the confer
ence be now called
This renders IL proper at this tiue q,
say something as 20 the general attitpds
OF this government toward peace Nfors
and more war is coming to be looLe6 unoy,
as In itself lamentable and evil thru
Wanton or useless war, or a war IN n,ers
assression-in short, any war begun ~.
carried on In constituencies spirit Is 10 he
condemned as peculiarly atrocious crime
against All humanity We can. however a.
nothing OF permanent value for peace un-
less we keep ever clearly In mind lhe
ethlcal element which lies at tibet root ~
the problem. Our aim IL Righteousness
Peace is normally the handmaiden ~
righteousness; but when peace and right
eousness cOnnict, then a great and upright
people can never for a moment hesifat ~
to follow the path which leads tousrd
righteousness even though tina. path also
leads to war. There are persons who adyo-
/ cate peace at any price; there are others
who following a false analogy. think that
because Il is no longer necessary in civil
lied countries for individuals to protect
their rights with a strong hand. il is there
fore unnecessary Tor nations 70 be ready
to defend their rights. These persons
4