The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-04
ERAL IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS IN MESSAGE To CONGRESS-

ing of the agricultural and kindred sci
ences to young country people or young
city people who wish 10 live I'm the coun-
try
Great progress has already been made
among farmers by the creation OF farmers
Institutes. OF dairy associations. OF breed
ers' associations. horticultural assocla-
tlons. and the like. A striking example
OF how the government and the farmers
can cooperate is shown In connection
with the menace offered 10 the cotton
growers OF the southern states by the ad-
vance OF the boil weevil. The department
is doing all IL can 10 organize the farmers
In the threatened districts, just as Il has
been doing all II can to organize them in
aid OF its work TO eradicate the cattle
fever tick in the south The department
can and will cooperate with all such as
scciations, and IL must have their help
II it's own work is 10 be done In the most
efficient style.
Irrigation and Forest Preservation.
Much is now being done for the states
OF the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains
thru the development OF the national
policy of irrigation and forest preserva-
tion; no government policy for the better
ment or our internal conditions has been
more fruitful OF good than this The
Southern Appalachian regions should also
be preserved; and they can not be unless
the people OF the states In which they
lie, thru their representatives. in the con-
gress. secure vigorous action by the ma
tional government.
Memorial Ampbitheater.
/ invite the attention OF the congress to
the estimate OF the secretary OF var for
an appropriation 10 enable him to begin
~
of a memorial amphitheater at Arlington.
The Grand Army OF the Republic in it's
national encampment has urged the erec-
ton OF such an amphitheater as necessary
for the proper observance of Memorial
Day and as a fitting monument TO the
soldier and sailor dead buried there. In
this I heartily concur and commend the
matter TO the favorable consideration of
the congress
Marriage and Divorce.
am well aware of how difficult II is TO
pass a constitutional amendment. Never
theless in my judgment the whole ques-
ton Of marriage and divorce should be
relegated TO the authority OF the nationai
congress. AT present the wide differences
In the laws of the different states on this
subject result in scandals and abuses;
and surely there is nothing so vitality es
sCntial TO the welfare of the nation.
SO bend itself as TO throw every safe
guard as the home life of the average
citizen. The change would be good from
every standpoint. In particular IL would
be good because IL would confer on con-
g-ess the power at once to deal radically
and efficietnly with polygamy; and this
should be done whether or not marriage
and divorce are dealt with. 1t is neither
safe nor proper to leave the question of
polygamy TO be dealt with by the several
states Power TO deal with II should be
conferred on the national government.
When home ties are loosened: when men
and women cease to regard a worthy
family life, with all its duties fully per-
formed, and all its responsibilities lived
up TO. as the life best worth living; then
evil days for the commonwealth are at
hand. There are regions in our land, and
classes OF our population, where the birth
rate has sunk below the death rate. Surely
IL should need no demonstration to show
that wilful sterility is. from the stand
point OF the nation. from the standpoint
OF the human race. the one sin for which
the penalty is national death. race death;
a sin for which there is no atonement:
sin which Is the more dreadful exactly
in proportion as the men and women
guilty thereof are in other respects. i'm
character. and bodily and mental powers,
those whom for the sake OF the state it
would be well to see the fathers and
mothers of many healthy children, well
brought up in homes made happy by their
presence. No man, no woman. can shirk
the primary duties of life, whether for
love of ease and pleasure. or for any
other cause, and retain his or her self
respect.
American shipping.
Let me once again call the attention of
the congress to two subjects concerning
Win I haN "
Gated with them. one is the question OF
developing American shipping. I trust
that a law embodynR in substance the
views. or a major part OF the views,
eXprest in the report on this subject
laid before the house at its last ses-
sion viii be past ! am well aware
that in former years Objectionable
measures have been proposed I'm refer
ence to the encouragement OF American
shipping; but IL seems to me that the
proposed measure Is as nearly unobjec-
tionable as any can be. II will of course
benefit primarily our seaboard states,
such as Maine. Louisiana, and Wash
ington; but what benefits part OF our
people in the end benefits all; just as
government aid to irrigation and forestry
In the West is really OF benefit, not only
TO the Rocky mountain states, but to all
our country. II 1t prove impracticable to
enact a law for the announcement OF
Shlpplng generally, thCn at least prONl-
sion should be made for better communi-
cation with South America, notably tor
fast mail lines TO the chief South Ameri-
can ports. II is discredtabe To us that
our business people, for lack of direct
communication i'm the shape OF lines OF
steamers with South America, should I'm
that great sister continent be at 4 dis
advantage compared to the business peO-
pie OF Europe.
Currency Reform.
I especially call your attention TO the
second subject. the condition of our cur
rency laws. The national bank act has
ably served a great purpose In aiding the
enormous business development OF the
country; and within ten years there has
been an increase in circulation per capita
from S2141 to $33S For several years
evidence has been accumulating that adj
dtional legislation is needed. The recur-
renee OF each crop season emphasizes the
defects OF the present laws There must
soon be a revision Of them. because To
leave them as they are means TO incur
liability OF business disaster. Since y..ur