The news & observer., 1905-12-06


the weapons with which they work.
The most formidable battle ship is OF
course helpless against even a light
cruiser if the men aboard it are un-
able to hit anything with their guns;
and thoroughly Well-handled cruisers
may count seriously in an engagement
with much superior vessels, if the men
aboard the latter are ineffective,
whether from lack Of training or from
any other cause. Modern war ships are
most formidable mechanisms when
we'll handled. but they are utterly use
less when not We'll handled; and they
can not be handled at all without long
and careful training. This training can
under no circumstance be given when
once war has broken out. No fight
ing shi0 of the first class should ever
be laid up save for necessary repairs;
and her crew should be kept constant
ly exercised on the high seas, SO that
she may stand at the highest point
of perfection To put a new and un-
trained crew upon the most powerful
battleship and send it out to meet
a formidable enemy is not only to in
Vite but to insure disaster and dis
grace. To imprOVise crews at the
outbreak of war. 50 far as the serious
fighting craft are concerned is alb
solutely hopeless. If the officers and
mon are not thoroughly skilled in.
aud have not been thoroughly trained
to, their duties, it would be far better
to keep the ships in port during hos
ulities than TO send them against a
formidable opponent for the result
could only be that they would be
either sunk or ca -tur I'd. The marks
manship Of our navy is now on the
Whole in q gratifying condition, and
there has been a great Improvement
in fleet practice. We need additional
seamen; we need a large store of re-
serve guns; we need sufficient money
for ample target practice, ample prac-
tice of every kind at sea. We should
substitute for comparatively ineffi-
cient types-the old third-class battle
ship Texas, the single turreted moni-
tors above mentioned, and in deed all
the monitors and some of the oid crui-
ccrs-efficient, modern, seagOing YES.
sells. Seagoing torpedo boat de-
stroyerS should be substituted fer
some of the smaller torpedo boats.
During the present Congress there
number of units of the navy. though
very smaH relatively to the navies or
other nations, is for the present Suf-
ficient in point of numbers for our
needs. and while we must constants
strive to make it's efficiency higher
there need be no additions to tho
total number Of ships now buiit an0
building. save in the way of substitu-
ton as above outlined. / recommend
The report Of the Secretary of the
navy to the careful consideration OF
the Congress, especially WITH a view
to the legislation therein advocated
Naturalization Laws.
During the I-st yea" evidence has
>ions contained in my last two annua.
NJ Messases as to the importance of re-
visinG by appropriate legislation otc
system of natura.izing aliens. l APP
pointed last March a commission to
make a careful examination of our
naturalization laws, and to suggest
ap~ ropriate measures to avoid the no.
tOrious abuses resulting from the inn
provident or unlawful granting OF cltI-
2enship. The commission, composed
of an officer OF the Department OF
State. of the Department of Justice.
and of the Department of Commerce
and Labor has discharged the duty
imposed upon 1t, and has submitted
report, which Will be transmitted TO
the Congress for its consideration. and,
/ hope. for It's favorable action.
The distinguishing recommendations
of the Congress are:
a
zation. to be established in the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor, to su-
pervise the administration of the nat
pending and accomp-
Iished.
second Uniformity of naturaliza-
tion certificates, fees to be charged
and procedure.
More exacting Publications for cit
2enship.
ry>I. ,s.,, n gr.ls11 "a
ton of intention TO be abolished anG
no alien to be naturalized until at
least ninety days after the filing of his
petition.
Fifth. Jurisdiction to naturaiize
aliens to be confirmed to United States
district courts and to such State courts
as have jurisdiction IL civil actions III
which the amount in controversy is
unlimited; IN cities of over 100000
the United States district
courts to have exclusive jurisdiction
in the naturaliza ton of the alien res
idents of such cities.
Criminal Laws.
In myl asst Message | asked the at
tcntiOn of the Congress to the urgent
need of action TO make our crlL1inal
law more effective and ! most earn
, stly request that you pay heed to the
report of the Attorney General on this
was lest he should be Wronged by the
~ needful to tnroW every safeguard
round the accused. The danger then
MAS lest he should be wronged by the
State. The danger" is exbtcly the
reverse our laws and customs tell
in favor of the criminal
and against the interests of the public
he has wronged. Some antiquated and
outWorn rules which once safeguard
ed the threatened rights Uf pIlgata
citizens, now merely work harm 20
the general body polite. The crin.i-
nal IdW of the United States stands in
urgent need of revision The criminal
process of any court of the United
states should run throughout The e'.-
tire territorial extent of our country.
The delays of criminal law. no less
than of the civil, now amount to
very great evil
Breaches of T"ust in Public Service.
There seems to be no statute or
the United States which provides for
thte punishment of q United States
attorney or other officer of the Gov
ernment who corrupty agrees TO
Wrongfuliy do or wrongfully refrain
from doing any act when the consiG-
Grafton for such corrupt agreement Is
other than one possessing money
value. This ought to be remedied by
apDrOVriate legislation Legislation