The Washington herald., 1906-12-05
The Presldentls Message.

The Presidents Message.
No one can fail to be Impressed by the
predominance in President Roosevelt's
annual message Of two important themes
-soeial-polities and rld-politics. OF
that great question which has divided
parties for many years, and which still
remains theoretically unsettled-the tar
if questionable President says not
word. One-half of his message is de-
voted to various phases of those social
and economic problems now so widely
regarded as likely to form the chief is
sues Of domestic politics in the near fu-
ture; while nearly the whole Of the re-
naming half is occupied with military
and naval matters and questions grow
ing out Of our insular and foreign rela-
tons. This division of topics is charac-
teristic and significant. 1t is character
istio Of the Presidential temperament and
habit Of thought; it is significant of that
vast change in our national policy tend
ing on the one hand, toward the exclu-
sive jurisdiction Of the Federal govern
ment over vital matters. particularly
over problems arising out of social and
industrial conditions. heretofore held TO
be wholly within the jurisdiction of the
States, and on the other to the develop /
ment of a military power adequate to
holding our own in the arena Of inter
national politics
The message begins with a discussion of /
the corporation problem, and ends with a
plea for the organization of rife clubs
Those who expected q vigorous pro- 1
nouncement on the japanese question |
have not been disappointed, for the Pres /
ident has in no unmistakabIe language /
passed condemnation upon the treat 1
mcnt Of NippOnese children by the peo-
pie Of California. Not only does he /
promise that the whole Federal power. 1
civil and military. shall be used to en-
force the rights Of the japanese under /
he treaty of 1884 but he strongly rec /
)mmends also that the national govern 1
mcnt be granted fuller authority 10 en- 4
,)Tce the rights Of aliens under treaties /
ind that the japanese be allowed to be
come naturalized citizens. It may be
reasonably doubted whether the Presi-
dent has contributed anything toward .
The final settlement OF this most trouble
s5me question. He has accepted tra
japanese contention. which will please
the government Of the AIikado. bu,
what Of the rights of the State Of Cali
fornia2 The President has not indi-
Gated with precision his intended course
of action with respect to securing to the
japanese their supposed treaty rights.
nor has he ventured an opinion. EXCEPT
by inference, as to the important ques-
lions of treaty Interpretation and cf con-
sututional power which have arisen out
OF the japanese protest. The President
has assumed, on behalf of this govern
ment, what may &c designated in dipIo-
matte Technology as correct atti-
tude.' 1t cannot be asserted that he has
said the last word on this delicate matter.
In spite of their tmeliness. there is a
curious irrelation between the social
questions discussed in the message and
the subjects which now appear most
likely TO engage the attention Of Con
gress. This irrelation obviously grows
out Of the Presidents intense interest in
many topics of the day at present quite
outside the sphere Of Congressional ac-
ton. and his evident belief that his great
influence may be appropriately exercised
through official channels in guiding.
Christening. and correcting public senti-
ment. As to these matters, Il may be
safely assumed Congress will regard the
counsels Of the President as the obiter
dicta Of a distinguished publicist, com
peIllng thought. awakening the public
conscience, and arousing public sentiment
out special bearing on the work Of the
present session. OF this nature is tho
Presidents presentation of the inherit
ance tax, the levy Of which IS advised at
some time in the near future" for the
purpose OF burdening the inheritance Of
swollen fortunes. An income tax the
President regards as desirable" OF cor
poration control by the Federal govern
ment, he remarks that "in some method,
whether by a national license law. or
in other fashion. We must exercise. and
that at an early date, q far more COM
plete control than at present over these
great corporations. To the future is reIe-
gated. also. the proposed enlargement OF
the powers Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, and the President comedies
tildt IdliIodQS SnOulQ De permitted 10
form traffic agreements.
Thus, all the more important features
Of the Presidents so-called radical pro-
gramme appear to vanish. at least for
the moment, in the thin air Of academic
discussion, and to be without the definite
and practical form requisite to inspire
immediate legislation. In fact, the
President suggests that 1T may be best
TO wait until the laws already passed
for the purpose Of securing proper Fed
eral supervision Of corporations have
been in operation for a number Of months
before endeavoring to Increase their
scope"
The President. however. has not neg
lected to press upon Congress legislation
Of more practical and pressing conse-
quence.. He lays great stress upon the
need Of law conferring on the govern
rnent the right Of appeal IN criminal
cases, the lack OF which hampers the
prosecution of trust officials and the
grantors and benehciaries Of rebates.
and several important labor measures