Evening journal., 1905-12-05


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-
gross the need Of economy and, to this
end. Of a rigid scrutiny Of approprla-
tlons. All unnecessary offices should
be abolished. In the public printing
also large saving Of money can be
made. There is a constantly growing
tendency 10 publish MASSES Of unim-
portant information AT 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
I'm the navy would be a crime against
the nation To fail TO push forward all
work on the Panama canal would be
ms great a 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
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 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 at irrogularly
recurring intervals obliged i'm the inter
est Of the business world-that is. in
the interests Of the American public
to try to avert financial crises by pro-
vlding a remedy which should be pro
vided by congressional action.
Business Methods In Departments.
AT various times | have instituted in
vestlgauons into the organization and
conduct OF the 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 wastefu
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 L
protect the integrity Of the elections OF
its own officials is inherent and has
been recognized and affirmed by re
peated declarations OF the suwem,
court. There Is no enemy Of free gov
ernment more dangerous and none 81
insidious MS the corruption Of the elect
crate. No one defends or excuses cor
ruption. and it would seem TO follow
that none would oppose vigorous meas
ures to eradicate Il. l recommend IN,
enactment of a law directed against
bribery and corruption i'm federal elec
tions. The details Of such a law may
be safely left TO the wise discretion Of
the congress. but 1t should go as far as
under the constitution II is possible tC
go and should include severe penalties
against him who gives or receives 9
bribe intended TO influence his act ol
opinion as an eleetor and provisions FOL
the publication not only OF the expend
/ itures for nominations and elections o
all candidates, but also of all contribu
tlons receivedland expenditures made
+ by political committees"
desire to repeat this recommenda
ton
All contributions by corporations {
any political committee OF for any pc
litical purpose should be forbidden b.
law, directors should not be permitte
TO use stockholders money for sue
purposes. and, moreover, a prohibito
Of this kind would be, as far ms
went an effective method Of stoppin
the evils aimed at in corrupt practice
acts.
AhN
The first conference Of nations hel
at The Hague in 1899, being unable I
dispose of an the business before j
recommended the consideration an
settlement Of number Of importal
questions by another conference to I
called subsequently and at an ear
! date. These questions were the folloN
ing. O) The rights and duties Of ne
trails; (2l the limitation of the arm,
forces on land and sea and Of milital
p budgets; (3l the use Of new types al
calibers OF military and naval guns:
p the inviolability of private property
+ sea In times of war; % the bombar
5 ment Of ports, cities and villages by n
r val forces. In October. 1904. at the
stance Of the interparhamentary unio
. / issued invitations TO all the powe
r. signatory TO The Hague convention
send delegates to such conferen
and suggested that II be again held
a The Hague.
= From all the powers acceptance W
T. received. coupled in some cases wi
3 the condition that we should wait un
p the end of the war then waging I
+ tween Russia ana Japan. The empeT
r Of Russia, Immediately after the trea
Y Of peace which so happily terminal
, this war, in note presented TO {
s president on Sept l3 took the initiati
[ In recommending that the conferen
e be now called. The United States g,
4 ernment in response expressed Its c
e dial acQuiescence and stated. that
! ANnmll na 4 nanLLnl. Of cn1..an laLn ~