The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1905-12-08

such change. NO cnange Gun ue
made on lines beneficial to or desired
by one section or one state only. There
must be something like general agree
ment among the citizens Of the several
states that the change IS needed and
desired I'm the interest of the people as
whole, and there should then be a sin
cere. intelligent and dlslnterested ef-
fort TO make ii In such shape as will
combine, so far as possible, the maxi
mum Of good to the people at large
with the minimum Of necessary disre-
gard for the special interests Of locali-
ties or classes, but In time Of peace
the revenue must, on the average
taking a series Of years together, equal
the expenditures or else the revenues
must be increased. Last year there
was a deficit. Unless our expenditures
can be kept within the revenues then
our revenue laws must be readjuHed.
II Is impossible TO outline what shape
such n readjustment shouldstake, for
It is as yet too early TO say whether
there will be need for II. 1t should be
considered whether II Is not desirable
that the tariff laws should provide for
applying as against or In favor Of any
other nation maximum and minimum
tariff rates established by the congress,
so as to secure a certain reciprocity Of
treatment between other nations and
ourselves.
ECONOMY IN EXPENDITURES.
earnestly recommend to the con-
gress the need Of economy and, to this
end, Of q rigid scrutiny of appropria-
tlons. All unnecessary offices should
be abolished. In the public printing
also a large saving Of money can be
made. There IS q constantly growing
tendency to publish masses Of unim-
portant 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
I'm 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 OF
elasticity to our currency system. The
evil does not consist In an inadequate
volume OF money, but in the rlgldity
Of this volume, which does not respond
as It 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 fail
and winter months than In the less ac-
tive 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 irregularly
recurring intervals obliged in the inter
est of the business world-that Is, in
the interests Of the American public
TO try to avert financial crises by pro
viding a remedy which should be pro-
vided by congressional action.
BUSINESS METHODS IN DEPART
MENTS.
At various times | have instituted in.
vestigations into the organization and
conduct OF the business Of the eXecu
tive departments. While none Of these
lnouiries have yet progressed far
enough TO warrant final conclusions
they have already confirmed and EN-
phaslzed the general impression that
the organization Of the departments is
often faulty in principle and wastefu
in results. while many Of their business
methods are antiquated and inefficient
I recommend that the congress consider
this subject.
FEDERAL ELECTIONS.
In my last annual message | said:
"The power Of the government tC
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
ernment more dangerous and none 50
lnsidious as the corruption Of the elect
crate. No one defends or excuses cor
ruptlon, and It 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 elec
tlons. The details Of such a law may
be safely left to the wise discretion OF
the congress. but it should 90 as far as
under the constitution II Is possible tC
20 and should include severe penalties
against him who gives OF receives
brIbe intended TO Influence his act ol
opinion as an elector and provisions fol
the publication not only Of the expend
itures for nominations and elections o
all candidates. but also Of all contribu
tons received and expenditures made
by political committees"
I desire to repeat this recommenda
tion.
Ali contributions by corporations L
any political committee or for any po
lltical purpose should be forbidden by
law, directors should not be permitted
TO use stockholders money for suci
purposes, and, moreover, prohibition OF
this kind would be. as far as It went
an effective method Of stopping the
evils aimed at in corrupt practices acts
THE HAGUE CONFERENCE.
The first conference Of nations held
at The Hague in 1899, being unable e
dispose Of all the business before 1t
recommended the consideration anC
settlement Of n number Of important
questions by another conference to b'
called subsequently and at an early
date. These questions were the follow
ing: % The rights and duties Of neu
trails; 2l the limitation Of the armed
forces on land and sea and Of military
budgets; (3) the use OF new types anC
coffhars ~ military and naval guns. a