Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-12-15
Entered at the Postoffice al Staunton, Va.
as second class mail matter.
Friday, December Is. 1905.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The Presidents message is the long,
est which ever emanated from the
White House. Washington in eight
messages did not write but about
%, 900 words, whilst Mr.. Roosevelt In
one message gives us 30,OOO. Inls
error of the President has called down
upon him not only the adverse critl-
cism of the press Of his political op-
ponents, but of his friends as well.
They all tell him he is too verbose and
has taken up trivial subjects to the
injury or neglect of those more lmpor'
tant. The concensus of opinion is also
that he weakened on the great issues.
The great issues were admittedly
the Rate Control of Railroads, and the
Tariff.
Those who hoped to see him leap
upon the railroad rate question with
eyes afame and sword drawn, dropped
their jaws in disappointment, and those
who had not hoped but expected an
attack such as San Juan Hill would
shrivel to nothingness beside, have
rubbed their eyes and looked again to
be sure they have not been mistaken.
Never was there greater disappolnt-
ment. His words are so tame and SO
mild when he reaches the rate ques-
ton as leads some to doubt whether
he could have penned them. He says
in part
at is not my province to indicate
theexact terms of the law which should
be enated, but call the attention OF
Congress to certain existing condl-
tions with which it is desirable to
DEAL" No one inside or outside the
railroads was prepared for such a SEN
tence. Desirable to DEAL" ls the
wording. Not essential, important,
absolutely necessary, imperative, OBJ
ligatory, nor any kindred expression is
used, he only informs Congress that it
is desirable to deal'' with the question.
Then he goes on and says, ut some-
times happens at present, not that
rate is too high. hut that a favored
shipper is given too low rate" The
public, indeed the railroads themselves,
were expecting him to use words which
conveyed Enthusiastically the assertion,
that not sometimes" but almost
every day and moment. of the day, both
too high a rate and a discriminating
rate are given. But no, the President
did not rise to the situation as he was
expected to do, and the people who be-
lived themselves to be great sufferers
both from high rates and discrimina
tions were intensely disappointed ,ant
the railroad man smiled as he read ,an(
inwardly remarked, why he's not Sc
warm after all.''
Then again, when he came to thu
subject of rebates, which everyone ad
mlts to be wrong, he is again disap
pointing. Certainly everybody sait
''he will give this solar plexus." Blu
no. He contented himself with fey
modest blows and ended the fight. H
did not moralize over it. He neithe
called it unjust, unfair, wrong, iniqu
tous, illegal or offensive, and especia
ly did he not say it is criminal. Hi
recent letter to the Hon. Paul Morto
the apostle of rebates, would scarcel
permit his using severe epithets LEI
they reflect upon his former friend an
Cabinet officer, and especially have tt
appearance of backtracking.
The other great issue, the Tariff, b
scarcely mentions, at least 1t is mel
toned in such way as that you woul
scarcely notice it. He declares that
Is essential to have more revenu
There was deficit last year, but /
does not suggest any mode of avoidil
it in future, outside of a recommend
ton to Congress Of economy. He on
once uses the words "Tariff laws"
all Of his 0,Q00 words. and nowhe
does he more than hint at revise
of them. AS our tariff or tax laws {
ford the only means of raising reven
we are left just where we we're befo
as to what change should be made
remedy the deficit.
He gives the already PROSTATE
surance officer kick and a cuff. and
the question of Federal control of i
surance companies he is prOnounc
and positive. He works centralizati'
up to high degree just here, and if
advice is followed the federal govel
ment in few years will control eve
thing from baby carriage up, or dow
as we may prefer to look at it.
OF course he asks for money to CO
plete the canal, which is tagging. E
even here he seems to be 1ndiffere
and careless.
The following summary will lend
show the number of subjects he tres
and also to show that many of tn
are not national questions. 1t will a
tend to show that his recommen
tions if ever read will in little wi
be forgotten on most of the subjec
He recommends
That Congress consider limiting
hours of labor required of railroad {
ployes and the compulsory use of
block system and other safety devic
That insurance be under the sup
vision and regulation of the Fede
government.
That Congress consider the quest
of fixing maximum and minimum t
if rates to be applied to countr
which favor or discriminate agai
the United States.
That unnecessary offices be abOli
ed and more business like methods
troduced in the executive departmen
That the publication of campai
contributions be required by law; Il