Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-12-06
AS to Presidents rlessage,

No citizen should fail to give the
message transmitted to congress Tues
day by President Roosevelt careful
perusal The president discusses many
Of the questions which are today be-
fore the country and it is improbable
that congress will enact into laws all
the recommendations he makes. Upon
the subject of lynching he makes some
very sensible observations, and if his
ideas are adhered to, and his counsel
taken, there is no reason why lynching
should not become thing of the past
and one of the darkest blots on our
civilization erased. On this question
as with the others with which the
message deals the PRESIDENT remarks
are for the perusal of his countrymen
at large as we'll as for their chosen
representatives. This is apparent in
his remarks concerning capital and
labor, " herein he takes occasion to ad-
minister a few hard raps to preachers
of discomfort, 1.-THE men who seek TO
excite violent class hatred against all
men of wealth. His words on this
subject should be carefully pondered.
On the subject of the regulation OF
corporations. the president gives con-
gress to understand that It's work was
not completed when the railway rate
bill. the pure TO d bill aud the beet
packing bill were passed. The passage
of these measures simply marked an
important advance in the proper direc-
tion, but he does not urge immediate
legislation ON the subject. He, how
ever, at considerable length, tells of
the enforcing and actual working of
the laws chat have been passed. The
feature of the message which will
doubtless elicit the most comment and
perhaps criticism is that relating to
an inheritance and income tax. The
president goes on record as favoring
both, although on this subject, as on
that of the regulation OF corporations,
he does not urge immediate action on
the part Of congress. 1t will be time
enough when next our system of
taxation is revised" In the mean
time. he gives us something to think
about.
On the question of marriage and
divorce, the president hints at con-
stitutional amendment so that the
matter may be aealt with by congress
instead of by the variou States, with
the resultant differences in the laws
and the scandals and abuses. In the
matter of the subsidy shipping bill
which passed the senate last spring. he
urges its passage by the house at this
session. He also earnestly recommends
changes in our currency laws so that
some very serious defects may be
remedied, and he is equally emphatic
in urging the passage of lower tariff
for the Philippines and the comforting
of American citizenship on the Porto
Ricans.
Those people who over six years ago
were wont to say that Theodore Roose-
velt was impetuous and would pre-
cipitate this country into war at the
first opportunity, ought to read what
he says about our relations with the
Japanese. In dealing with this delic-
ate question he displays diplomacy and
craftsmanship OF the highest order,
aud his recommendations ought to be
speedily enacted into law by congress.
On the subject of Cuba. the Rio cou-
ference, our foreign relations and var
ious domestic problems not already
enumerated the President writes most
interestingly His views on all public
questions are sound and if congress
will but heed his advice. and enact in
tn law the recommendations lie makes,
we will advance to higher plaue
than We have yet attainei.