The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-05
Many Subjects Treated
In Manner ChdrdC e.
iStiC of Roosevelt
DIVORCE CONES IN
FOR HAND BLOWS
Thinks Constitution Should Be
Amended So as to Give Con
gress Power to Pass Gen
eral Law on Subject.
Navy Guarantor
of Peace.

Main features OF the Presidents n----
age. which was read in DO b houses OF
Congress yesterday. are given below.
closest attention was given by mer1-
bers OF Congress and by the galleries,
which We're crowded. to the discussion OK
national questions by the chief executive.
To the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives
As a nation we stiu continue to enjoy
a literally Unprecedented prosperity; an6
II is probable that orly reckless specuia-
uon and disregard OF legitimate business
methods on the part OF the business world
can materially mar this prosperity.
No congress in our time has done
more good work or Importance than the
present congress. There were several
matters left unfinished at your last ses-
SION. however. when I most earnestly
nope you viii complete before your ad-
j0urnment.
1 again recommend a law prohibiting all
corporations from contributing TO the
campaign expenses OF any party Such a
hiu has already past one house Of con-
6ress. Let individuals contribute as they
desire; but let prohibit In effective
fashion all corporations from making
contributions for any political puruose
directly or indirectly.
Another bill which has just past one
house OF the congress and which il Is w
gently necessary should be enacted into
law is that comforting upon the govern
ment the right OF appeal in criminal cases
on questions OF law. This right exists in
many OF the States. Il exists In the Dis
trict OF Columbia by act of the congress. 1t
is OF course not proposed that In any
case a verdict for the defendant on tina
merits should be set aside Recently N
one district where the government had in
ulcted certain PERSONS for conspiracy IN
connection IN rebates, the court sus-
tanned the defendants demurrer. while
I'm another Jurisdiction an Indictment Tor
conspiracy 20 Obtain rebates has been
sustained BY the court convictions Dr.
tained under IL and two defendants sen.
fenced 20 Imprisonment. The two cases
referred 70 may not be IN real con flicf
with each other. but 81 is unforrura-a
that there should even be an apparent
conflict At present there is no way bN
which the government can cause such q
conflict. when 1t occurs. to be solved by
an appeal to a higher court. and the
wheels OF justice are blocked without any
real decision of the question. / can not
TOO strongly urge the passage or the bill
IN question. failure TO pass u will re-
suit in seriously hampering the govern
ment in its effort TO obtain Justice, es-
pecially against wealthy individuals or
corporations who do wrong: and may
also prevent the government from obtain
ing justice f-r wageworkers who are
not themselves able effectively to con-
test case where the Judgment of an
inferior court has been against them
nave specifically In view recent decis-
Ion by district Judge leaving railway
employees without remedy fer violation OF
a certain so-called labor statute IL seems
an absurdity 70 permit a single district
Judge. against what may be the judgment
or the immense majority of his COLLEAGUES
on the bench, to declare a law solemniy
enacted by the con ngress to be .unconstI-
tuuonal." and then deny to the govern
ment the right TO have the supreme court
nRffnfrnfU
In connection with this matter I would
Ike 70 call attention 10 the very unsatis-
factory state Of our criminal law. re-
suting In large part from the habit OF
setting aside the judgments OF Inferior
courts on technicalities absolutely unccn-
nected with the merits OF the case. and
where there is no attempt to show thar
uere has been any failure OF substantial
justice. 1t would be well 10 enact LAW
providing something to the effect thar:
NO Judgment shall be set aside or new
trlal granted in any cause. civil or Grim
inal. on the ground of misdirection OF tae
jury or the improper admission or retec.
ton Of evidence. or for error as to anv
matter OF pleading or procedure unless
IN tie opinion OF the court to which th4
application IS made. after an examIna-
ton OF the entire cause. II shall affirma-
lively appear that ,he error complained
or has resulted in a miscarriage Of JUS
tice.
AS to Injunction.
In my last message I suggested the en-
actment Of law in connection with the
issuance Of injunctlons. attention having
been sharply drawn to the matter by tho
dema I'd that the right CT applying lniunc-
tons in labor cases should be wholly
abolished. II Is az least doubtful whether
a law aholishing altogether the use Of In
functions IN such cases would stand the
test OF the courts; IN which case OF course
the legislation would he Ineffective
Moreover, ! believe 10 would be wro0g al
together 20 prohibit the use Of injunc-
tons. IL Is criminal 70 permit sympathy
for criminals 10 weaken our hands IN up
holding the law. and u weE seek 20 d.
stroy ufe or property by mob violence
there should be no impairment OF the
power OF the courts 90 deal with them IN
the most summary and effective way nos
sible. But SO FAR possible the abuse OF
the power should be provided against ~
some such lew as 7 advocated last wear
In this matter OF inlunctions there IA
lodged in the hands OF the judiciary a
necessary power which is nevertheiess
subject 20 the possibility Of grave abuse
It is n power that should be exercised
with extreme care and should be subject
20 the jealous scrutiny OF all men and
condemnation should be meted out a.
much 20 the Judge who fails to use u
boldly when necessary as TO the fgdrs
Who uses @ wantouly or oDpressivelv. OF
course. Judge strong enough 10 be M
for his office viii enjoin any resort 10
violence or intimidation. especially bV
conspiracy. no matter what his opinion
may De OF the rights OF the original quar-
rel There must be no hesitation in deal.
ing with disorder. But there must Ike