davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1906-12-04
Closing Schools TO Laps
Is " "WfcEgd Absordifv'-

The overwhelming mass Of our paonIs
cherish lively regard and respect for
the people OF Japan, and in almost every
quarter OF the Union the stranger from
Japan is treated as he deserves: that is
he Is treated as the stranger from any
part OF civilized Europe is and deserves
to be treated. But here and there a
most unworthy feeling has manifested
itself toward the Japanese-the feeling
that has been shown in shutting them
out from the common schools in San
Francisco, and in mutterings against
them in one or two other places. be-
cause OF their efficiency as workers.
To shut them out from the uubIic
schools is a wicked absurdity. when
there are no first-class colleges in the
land. including the universities and col
leges Of California, which do not gladly
welcome Japanese students and on
which Japanese students do not refec,
credit. We have as much TO learn from
Japan as Japan has TO learn from US:
and no nation Is fit to teach unless il
is also willing 10 learn. Throughout
Japan Americans are we'll treated, and
any failure on the part OF Americans at
home to treat the Japanese with a like
courtesy and consideration Is by Just so
much a confession OF inreriority in our
civilization.
Our nation fronts on the Pacific. just
az it fronts on the Atlantic. We hope
% play a constant growing part IN tho
great ocean of the. Orient We wish. as
we ought to wish for a great CONNER
cial development in our dealings with
Asia; and 1t Is out OF the question that
we should permanently have such deveI-
The Washington times., 1906-12-04

Rico should be met from the Federal
Treasury. The administration OF the af-
fairs OF Porto Rico. together with those
or the Philippines. Hawaii. and our
other insular possessions, should ell be
directed under one executive depart
ment; by preference the Department OF
State or the Department OF War.
The needs OF Hawaii are peculiar;
every aid should be given the islands:
and our efforts should be unceaslng to
develop them along the lines Of com
Inunity Of small freeholders, not Of great
planters. with coolle-tilled estates. stu
ated as this Territory is. in the middle
or the Pacific. there are duties imposed
upon this small community which do
not fall in like degree or manner upon
any other American community. This
warrants our treating 1t differently from
the way in which we treat Territories
contiguous 10 or surrounded by sister
Territories or other States, and justlhes
the setting aside OF a portion Of our
revenues 70 be expended for educational
and internal Improvements therein.
Hawaii IS row making an effort 10 Sc
cure immigration 1t IN the end 10 as
sumo the duties and burdens OF full
American citizenship. and whenever the
leaders N the various industries OF those
islands finally adopt our ideals and
heartily Join our administration IN en-
deavorinR 70 develop a middle class of
substantial citizens. way will then be
found 70 deal R.th the commercial and
industrial prc.lems which now appear
TO them so serious. The best American
ism IS that which aims for stability and
permansncy Of prosperous citizenship.
rather than immediate returns on large
masses Of capital.
Alaska's needs have been partially
met. but there must be a complete reor-
ganization OF the Governmental system,
as 1 have before indicated 20 YOU. I ask
your especial attention 70 this. Our
fellOw-citizens who dwell on the shores
OF Puget Sound. with characteristic en-
ergy are arranging 20 hold in Seattle
the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition.
It's special aims include the uobuildIDg
OF Alaska and the development Of Amer
lean commerce on the Pacific Ocean.
This exposition, IN its purposes and
scope. should appeal not only TO the
people OF the Pacific slope. but To the
people Of the United States at large
Alaska, since 1t was bought, has yielded
TO the Government eleven millions OF
dollars revenue, and has produced nearly
three hundred millions OF dollars in
gold. furs. and fish.
The Washington times., 1906-12-04

stitution is so great that only real
necessity can justify a resort there
I 10. Every effort should be made in
dealing with this subject. as with the
subject OF the Proper control by the
National Government over the use o.
corporate wealth In interstate business
TO devise le egislation which without such
action shall attain the desired end
but If this fails, there will ultimately be
no alternative 10 a constitutional
amendment
II would be impossible to overstate
tthough it is Of course difficult quanti-
tatively to measure) the effect upon a
nations growth to greatness of what
may be called organized patriotism.
which necessarily Includes the substitu-
tion of a national feeling for msre
local pride: with as a resultant a high
ambition for the whole country. No
country can develop its full strength so
long as the parts which make up the
whole each put a feeling of loyalty TO
the part above the feeling of loyalty 10
the whole This is true OF sections and
it is just as true of classes. The indus
trial and agricultural classes must work
together, capitalists and WagewOrkers
must work together. If the best work
of which the country is capable Is 10 be
done
/ q
cient system of education comes next
20 the influence Of patriotism in bring
ing about national success Of this kind.
Our federal form of government, so
fruitful Of advantage TO our people In
certain ways, in other ways undOubted-
" linits our national effectiveness It
is not possible, for instance. for the Ma
tIouaI Government TO take the lead IN
technical industrial education, TO see
that the public school system of this
country develops on all It's technlcal,
Industrial scientific. and commercial
sides This must be left primarily TO
the several States.
Nevertheless the National Govern
ment has control OF the schools OF the
District OF Columbia. and II should see
that these schools promote and encour-
age the fullest development Of the
scholars in both commercial! and indus
trial training. The commercial training
should in one of its branches deal with
foreign trade. The Industrial training
is even more important.
Il should be one Of our prime objects
as nation. so far as feasible, con-
stantly 20 work toward putting The me-
chanic. the WageWoTker who works with
his hands on a higher plane Of eff
cheney and regard. so as 70 Increase his
effectiveness I'm the economic world. and
the dignity. the remuneration and the
power Of his position IN the social world
Unfortunately, at present the effect OF
some or the WolK IN Ine puDAC schools
is in the exactly opposite direction.
II boys and girls are trained merely
I'm literary accomplishments, 10 the total
exclusion Of Industrial, manual and
technical trqiuing, the tendency is 70 uu-
II them for Industrial work and 10 make
them reluctant 10 go into Il. or untitled
10 do well II they do go into II. This is
a tendency which should be strenuOusly
CGmbatted. our Industrial development
depends largely upon technical educa-
tiOH. including In this term all indus
trial education. from that which fits a
man 10 be a good mechanic, a good car
penter. or blacksmith. to that which
fits a man 10 do the greatest engineer
The Washington times., 1906-12-04
System Should Be Sound:
Open TO All Good Banks

do not press any special plan.
Various plans have recently been pro
posed by expert committees of bankers.
Among the plans which are possibly
feasible and which certainly should re-
ce.ve your consideration is that repeat
edl. brought TO ycur attention by the
present Secretary of the Treasury the
essential features of which have been
approved by many prominent bankers
ana business men, According TO this
plan national banks should be permitted
to issue specified proportion of their
capital in notes of a given kind. the
issue to be taxed at so high rate as
To drive the notes back when not want
ed in legitimate trade. This plan would
no permit the issue OF currency to give
banks additional profits. but to meet the
emergency presented by times of strin-
gency.
/ do not say that this is the right
system. I only advance It 10 emphasize
my belief that there is need for the
adoption of some system which shall be
automatic and open to all sound banks.
so as TO evOid all possibility of dis
cTimination and favoritism Such n
pan would tend TO prevent the spasms
of high money and speculation which
now obtain in the New York market
for at present there is too much cur
Tency at certain seasons Of the year.
The Washington times., 1906-12-04
Nation Should Control
Marriage and Divorce

America. should in that great sister
continent be at "a disadvantage COM
pared TO the business people Of Europe.
l especially call your attention 10
the second subject. the condition Of
our currency laws. The national bank
act has ably served a great purpose in
aiding the enormous business develop
ment OF the country; and within ten
years there has been an increase in
circulation per capita from S2141 TO
$33.OS. For several years evidence has
been accumuIating that additional
legislation IS needed The recurrence
OF each crop season emphasizes the
defects OF the present laws. There
must soon be a TeyiliOn Of them, be-
cause 10 leave them as they are means
10 incur liability Of business disaster.
Since your body adjourned there has
been a fuctuation in the interest on
call money from . per cent to 80 per
cent; and the fuctuation was even
greater during the preceding six
months. The Secretary Of the Treas
ury had 20 step in and by wise action
put stop to the most violent period
Of oscillation. Even worse than such
ftuctuation IS the advance in CONNER
cIal rates and the uncertainty felt in
rates. All commercial interests suffer
during each crop period. Excessive
rates for call money in New York at
tract money from the interior banks
into the speculative field; this depletes
the fund that would otherwise be
available for commercial uses, and
commercial borrowers are forced to
pay abnormal rates. so that each fall
tax, IL the shape Of increas d in
terest charges, is placed on the whole
commerce Of the country.
The mere statement of these facts
shows that our present system Is seri-
Ously defective. There is need OF
change. Unfortunately. however many
of the proposed changes must be ruled
from consideration because they are
complicated. are not easy of compre-
hensiOn, and tend 70 disturb existing
rights and interests. We must also rule
out any plan which would materially
impair the value Of the United States
2 per cent bonds now pledged to secure
circulation, the issue OF which was made
under conditions peculiarly creditable 10
the Treasury.
The Washington times., 1906-12-04
administration Holds
to Clear Middle Ground

In enacting and enforcing such leg
islation as this Congress already has to
its credit. we are working on a cOher-
ent plan, with the steady endeavOr to
secure the needed reform by the Joint
action OF the moderate men, the plain
men who do not wish anything hysteri-
cal or dangerous. but who do intend TO
deal In resOlute common sense fashion
with the real and great evils of the
present system. The reactionaTies and
the violent extremists show symptoms
OF joining hands against us.
Both assert. fer instance, that IL log
Zeal, We should go 70 government owner
ship of railroads and the like; the re-
dictionaries, because on such an issue
they think the people would stand with
them, while the extremists care rather
TO preach discomfort and agitation than
TO achieve solid results. As matter
OF fact. our position is as remote from
that Of the Pc urbOn TeactiOnary as from
that OF the impraCJicabIe or sinister Wis
iouary. We hold that the Government
should not conduct the business of the
nation. but that IL should exercise such
supervision as viii insure its being con-
Quoted in the interest of the nation
our aim is, SO far as may be, TO secure,
Tor all decent, hard working men. equal
ity Of opportunity and equality of bur
den.
The actual working of our laws has
shown that the effort TO prohibit all
combination. good or bad. is noxious
where it is not Ineffective COmbina-
ton of capital. like combination OF Ia
Dor, is q necessary element OF our pres
ent industrial system. II is not possible
completely 10 prevent f., and il IL were
possible. such complete prevention
would do damage 10 the body polite.
What We need is not Yainly 10 Try 10
The Washington times., 1906-12-04
6NOt All Combinations
Should Be Prohibited

1t is unfortunate that our present
laws should forbid all combinations.
instead OF sharply discriminating be-
tween those combinations which do
good and those combinations which do
evil Rebates. for instance, are as
OFTEN due 20 the pressure OF big ship
pers tas was shown in the investiga-
lon or the Standard oil Company and
has been shown since by the investiga-
zion OF the tobacco ana sugar trusts)
as 10 the initiative OF big railroads
Often railroads would like to combine
Tor the purpose Of preventing "a big
shipper from maintaining improper
advantages at the expense Of small
shippers and OF the general public.
Such combination, instead Of be-
ing forbidden by law. should be ia
vOred- In other words, il should be
permitted 10 railroads 10 make agree
ments, provided these agreements were
sanctioned by the Inteustate Commerce
Commission and were published With
these two conditions complied with
il is impossible 70 see what harm such
a combination could do 10 the public at
large.
II is a public evil TO have on the
statute books q law incapable Of full
enforcement because both Judges and
Jurles realize that It's fun enforcement
would destroy the business of the
country; for the result Is 70 make de-
cent railroad men violatOrs Of the law
against their Will. and 10 put q pre-
MUM on the behavior Of the Wilful
WrOngdOerS. Such a result in turn
tends 10 throw the decent man and
the wil1ul WrOngdOer into close assO-
citation, and IN the end to draw down
the former TO the latters level: for
the man who becomes a lawbreaker
ia one way unhappily tends 20 lose all
respect for law and 70 be willing 70
break IL in many ways.
NO more SCathlng condemnation
could be visited upon a law than is
contained in the words OF the Inter
state Commerce Commission when, in
commenting upon the fact that the
numerous Joint traffic associations do
technically violate the law, they say:
THE decision OF the United States
Supreme Court in the Trans Missouri
case and the Joint Traffic Association
case has produced no practical effect
upon the railway operations or the
country. Such associations, in fact,
exist now as they did before these de-
cisions, and with the same general ef-
feet, In justice 10 all parties, we ought
probably TO add that II is difficult to
see how our interstate railways could
be operated with due regard TO the
interest OF the shipper and the railway
afforded through these associations
This means that the law as construed
hV the Supreme Court Is such that the
business of the country cannot be con-
Quoted without breaking It. I recon-
mend that YOU give careful and early
consideration 70 this subject, and IL you
find the opinion OF the Interstate Com
merCe Commission justified that you
amend the law so as TO obviate the evil
disclosed.
The Washington times., 1906-12-04

Not only must We treat all nations
fairly but we must treat with justice
and good will all immigrants who come
here under the law. Whether they are
Catholic or Protestant. Jew or Gentle.
whether they come from England or
Germany, Russia. Japan. or Italy. mat
ters nothing. All We have a right 20
question Is the mans conduct II he
Is honest and uIFight IN his dealings
with his neighbOT and with the state.
then he is entitled to respect and good
treatment Especially do we need TO
remember our duty 10 the stranger with
in our gates. 1t Is the sure mark Of
a low civilization. a low morality. TO
abuse or discriminate against or IN any
way humiliate such stranger who has
come here lawfully and who is con-
ducting himself properly To Temem-
ber this is incumbent OD every Ameri-
can citizen, and il is OF course. peCuN-
aTly incumbent on every Government Of
fclal, whether OF the nation or Of the
several States.
am prompted TO say this by the
attitude of hostility here and there as
sumed toward the Japanese in this
country. This hostility Is sporadic and
Is limited TO a very few places. Never
theleEs. II Is most discreditable TO US
as q people, and IL may be fraught with
the graVest consequences to the nation.
The friendship between the United
States and Japan has been continu-
Gus since the time, over half a cen
tury ago, when Commodore Perry, by
his expedition TO Japan, first opened
the islands TO western civilization.
Since them the growth OF Japan has
been literally astounding. There is not
only nothing TO parallel il, but nothing
to approach 1t in the history Of civilized
mankind.
Japan has a glorious and ancient
past. Her civilization is older than
that OF the nations of northern Eu-
rope-the nations from whom the people
OF the United States have chiefly
sprung. But fifty years ago Japan's
development was still that OF the Mid
die Ages.
The Washington times., 1906-12-04

/ am we'll aware OF how difficult It Is
to pass a constitutional amendment.
Nevertheless in my judgment the whole
question OF marriage and divorce should
be relegated TO the authority OF the
National 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 vItaly essential 10 the welfare Of the
nation. nothing around which the ma
tiOn should so bend itself 10 throw
every safeguard. as the home life OF
the average citizen
The change would be good from every
standpoint In particular It would be
good because IL would confer on the
Congress the power at once 10 deal rad
iciany and efficiently with polygamy
and this should be done whether or not
marriage and divorce are dealt with. II
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 Ma
tiOnal Government
When home ties are IoOsened: when
men and women cease TO regard a
worthy family life. with all It's duties
IuLy performed, and all its RESPONSE
hllltieS lived up 20, as the life best
worth living. then evil days for the
commonwealth are at hand There are
regions In our land. ana classes or our
population, where the birth rate has
sunk below the death rate.
Surely II should need no demOnstra-
ton to show that willfuI sterility is.
from the standpoint OF the nation, frcm
the standpoint OF the human race, the
one sin for which the penalty IS national
death, race DEATH q sin for which there
IS no atonement: a sin which is the
nfsFIH FFrav4
the men and women guilty thereof are
in other respects, in character, and bod
lily and mental powers, those whom for
the sake or the state II 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 tho
primary duties Of life, whether for love
cause, and retain his or her self-re-
spect
Let ne once again call the attention
Of the Congress to two subjects con-
cerning which I have frequently before
communicated with them. One Is the
question of developing American ship
ping. I trust that a law embodying I'm
substance the views. or a major part OF
the views. expressed in the report on
this subject laid before the House at
its last session will be passed.
am well aware that in former years
Objectionable measures have been pro-
posed IN reference 10 the encourage
ment OF American shipping: but II
seems to me that the proposed measure
Is as nearly Unobjectionable as any can
be. II Will of course benefit primarily
our seaboard States, such as Maine.
Louisiana, and Washington; 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 coun-
try.
The Washington times., 1906-12-04
Inheritance and Income
Taxes Are Recommended

The question OF taxation Is difficult
IN any country but Il is especially diff
cult in ours with its Federal system OF
government. Some taxes should on
every ground be levied in a small dis
trict for use in that district Thus the
taxation Of real estate is peculiarly one
for the immediate locality in which the
real estate is found. Again, there Is no
more legitimate tax for any State than
a tax on the franchises conferred by
that State upon street railroads and sim
ilar corporations which operate wholly
within the State boundaries, sometimes
in one and sometimes in several muni-
cipalities or other minor divisions of the
State.
But there are many kinds Of taxes
which can only be levied by the General
Government SO as 10 produce the best
results, because, among other reasons,
the attempt TO impose them in one par
ticulaT state too often results merely IN
driving the corporation or individual
affected 10 some other locality or other
state. The National Government has
long derived its CHIEF revenue from a
tariff on imports and from an internal
or excise tax.
In addition to these there is every
reason why, when next our system Of
taxation is revised, the National Gov
eminent should impose a graduated in
heritanee tax, and, if possible, .. gradu
ated income tax.
The man OF great wealth owes a pecu-
liar obligation TO the State. because he
- derives special advantages from the
mere existence OF government. Not only
should he recognize this obligation I'm
the way he leads his daily life and in
the way he earns and spends his money
but IL should also be recognized bv tbe
way in which he pays for the protection
the State gives him. On the one hand
Il is desirable that he should assume his
full and proper share OF the burden az
taxation; on the other hand il is quite
as necessary that IN this kind OF taxa
ton when the men who vote the tax
pay but little OF II. there should be clear
recognition OF the danger OF lnaugu-
The Washington times., 1906-12-04
oAdvance IN Fifty Years
Marcel to All Mankind

During the fifty years ;he progress
of the country in every walk in life
has been a marvel to mankind. and
she now stands as one of the greatest
Of civilized nations; great in the arts
OF war and in the arts OF peace: grea.
in military. in industrial. in artistic de-
yelopment and achievement. japanese
soldiers and sailors have shown them
selves equal in combat TO any OF whom
history makes note. She has produced
great generals and mighty admirals
her fighting men, afioat and ashore,
show all the heroic courage. the un-
questioning. unfaltering loyalty. the
splendid Indifference to hardship and
death, which marked the Loyal Ronins
and they show also that they possess
the highest ideal of patriotism JapR-
nese artists OF every kind see their
products eagerly sought for in all lands.
The industrial and commercial de-
The Washington times., 1906-12-04

course. guard the interests Of western
and southern bankers as carefully as 1t
guards the interests OF New York or
Chicago bankers; and must be drawn
from the standpoints Of the farmer and
the merchant no less than from the
standpoints OF the city banker and the
country barker.
The law should be amended so as
specifically to provide that the funds de-
rived from customs duties may be treat
ed by the Secretary of the Treasury as
he treats funds obtained under the inter
nal-revenue laws. There should be a
considerable increase IN bills Of small
denominations. Permission should be
given banks, II necessary under settled
restrictions, 10 retire their circulation
10 a larger amount than three millions
4 month.
The Washington times., 1906-12-04
arlington Memorial
Is Heartily MdOrSed

7 invite the attention Of the Congress
20 the estimate OF the Secretary Of War
TOR an appropriation. 20 enable him 10
b-gin the preliminary work OF the con-
srr'-,.tion OF "a memorial amphitheater al
Ellington. The Grand Army Of the Re
public I'm its national encampment has
UrgcI the erection OF such an amphi-
theater as necessary for the proper
observance Of Memorial Day and as a
fitting monument 20 the soldier and
sailor buried there. In this ] heartily
concur and commend the matter 70 the
favorable consideration Of the Congress