The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-12-07


might have strengthened his position BY urging congress attach
criminal penalty for violation Of the
law The criminal penalty Of the present law abolished
by the Ekins amendment which merely provides ne There
good why the criminal penalty should have been
abolished and the regulation would gain much by its
restoration
The message has weak points, and is weaker than its
tariff If the passage written by anyone
but the president it would be called "a sradde Its chief
lies the assumption that the demand for tariff revision
general and that emenates from certain sections only The pres
dent that is better certain sections should suffer than
that all sections should be injured by change in the schedules
The demand for tariff revision result Of prices and the
people paying trust prices all sections of the country Con
sequeny the people united asking that congress shall
those tariffs which give shelter to the trusts The presidents
dorsement Of reciprocity modified by f" may be
essary and may not Should it be congress
should favor it.
The weakness Of the tariff recommendation apparent and
leads the suspicion that the president has been much engrossed
by the railway question that he has famarized himself with
the status Of the tariff question is possible that the
president seeing the danger Of division republican ranks and
caring offer for discod pupose avoids taking
pronounced position for against tariff revision 1t will be
noed moreover that the president absolutely silent the sub
ct of buying canal supplies abroad policy he favored because
he did not think the should pay the exorbant trust
prices that have proved burdensome to the public
The presidents policy with reference to the navy shows distinct
improvement He longer favors lavish expenditures but pro-
poses that baesp be built each year This policy however,
dictated much by the state of the by the fear
that presentday ornaments will be Of date His pro-
pos that troops be concentrated larger military posts and that
the smaller posts be abandoned worthy Of careful consideration
the effect Of such change be decrease the Of posts
large cities, the plan will meet with popular approval but if the
effect be the troops from minor posts posts the
Cities the people to conspiracy against strikes
In making his excellent recommendations regarding
control Of corporations the president assign life
companies tho corporation class and holds tina national should
replace state legislation because state legislation has proved deficient
With respect corporations this true, and quite with
respect life copanios. The failure obtain proper
regulation OF life companies is due the and
wngdong OF life inspectors and of legislators The
lesson taught by tho life insurance disclosures that better men
must be elected to all offices within the gift Of the people
that the federal government should usup the perogay the
states II congress decides gisate upon the subject Of nsu
its legislation should supplement rather than replace
legislation
The president eeacs his belief that there should be sha
indirect approval Of the currency scheme which has found
much favor the bankers who formerly ascd themselves