Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-12-08

In poor man, whether It takes the shape
Of bribery or of blackmail. But much
can be done by legislation which Is not
only drastic, but practical. There is
need of n far stricter and more uni
form regulation of the vast insurance
interests Of this country. The United
States should In this respect follow tho
policy of other nations by providing
adequate national supervision of com
mercial interests which are clearly ma
tlonal In character.
l repeat my previous recommends
ton that the congress should consider
whether the federal government has
any power or owes any duty with re-
spect to domestic transactions in in
surance of an Interstate character
That state supervision has proved in
adequate Is generally conceded.
The Revenues.
There Is more need of stability than
of the attempt to attain an ideal per-
lection in the methods Of raising rev.
enue. and the shock and strain to the
business world certain to attend any
serious change In these methods rem
der such change inadvisable unless for
grave reason. 1t is not possible to lay
down any general rule by which to de-
terminc the moment when the reasons
for will outweigh the reasons against
such change. No change can be
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 in the interest of the people as
whole, and there should then be n sin
cere, intelligent and disinterested eff
fort to make 1t In such shape as will
combine. so far rs possible. the maxi
mum of good to the people Mt 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 series Of years together, equal
the expenditures or else the revenues
| must be increased. Last year there
| was deficit. Unless our expenditures
can be kept within the revenues then
our revenue laws must be readjusted.
1t is impossible to outline what shape
such n REIMBURSEMENT should take, for
| 1t Is as yet too early to say whether
there will be need for it. 1t should be
| considered whether 1t 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 Expenditure.
l earnestly recommend to the con-
gress the need Of economy and, to this
| end, Of n rigid scrutiny Of apprOpria-
tons. All unnecessary offices should
be abolished. In the public printing
also a large saving Of money can be
tendency to publish masses of unim-
portant Information ut which no human
being ever looks.
Yet, in speaking Of economy. must
In nowise be understood as advocating
the false economy which Is In the end
the worst extravaganza. To cut down
In the navy would be crime against
the nation. To fall to push forward all
work on the Panama canal would be
Us 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 rigidity
of this volume, which does not respond
rs 1t should to the varying needs Of
communities and Of seasons. Imitation
must be avoided, but some provision
should be made that will insure
larger volume of money during the fall
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 ut irreguiarly
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-
vided by congressional action.
business Methods In Departments.
At various times have instituted IN
vestigatiOns into the organization and
conduct Of tho business of the eXecu
tive departments. While none of these
inquiries have yet progressed far
enough to warrant final conclusions.
they have already confirmed and EN-
phasized the general impression that
the organization Of the departments Is
often faulty In principle and wasteful
In results. while many Of their business
methods are antiquated and inefficient.
recommend that the congress consider
this subject.
Federal Elections.
In my last annual message said:
THE power Of the government to
protect the integrity Of the elections Of
its own officials Is inherent and has
been recognized and affirmed by re-
peatcd declarations Of the supreme
court. There Is no enemy Of free gov
eminent more dangerous and none SO
insidiOus 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. I recommend the
enactment Of n law directed against
bribery and corruption in federal cleo
lions. The details Of such n law may
be safely left to the wise discretion Of
the congress. but 1t should go as far rs
under the constitution 1t Is possible to
% and should include severe penalties
against him who gives or receives a
bride intended to influence his act or
opinion rs an elector and provisions for
the publication not only Of the expend.
itures for nominations and elections OF
oil candidates. but also Of all contrIbu-
tons received and expenditures made
by political committees"
I desire 70 repeat thu 1aoommeuda'
non. ~ 81