Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-12-10


? I again recommend the extension of
the ocean mail act of 1891 SO that salts
factory American ocean mail lines TO
South America. Asia, the Philippines,
and Australasia may be established.
Hawaii.
I call particular attention TO the Ter
ritory OF Hawaii. The Importance of
those Islands is apparent, and the need
of improving their condition and de-
veIoping their resources is urgent.
The Philippines.
Real progress toward self-government
is being made in the Philippine islands.
I trust that within a generation
the time will arrive when the Philippines
can decide for themselves whether II is
well for them to become independent, or
to continue under the protection OF a
strong and disinterested power. able to
guarantee to the islands order at home
and protection from foreign invasion.
Porto Rico.
I again recommend that American cit
Izenship be conferred upon the people OF
Porto Rico.
Cuba.
In Cuba our occupancy will cease in
about two months time; the Cubans
nave in orderly manner elected their own
governmental authorities, and the Island
will be turned over to them. Our occu-
patton on this occasion has lasted a lit
tie over two years, and Cuba has thrtv-
en- and prospered under 1t. Our earnest
hope and one desire is that the people
of the island shall now govern them
selves with justice, so that peace and or
der a be secure.
Japanese Exposition.
The Japanese government has post
poned until 1917 the date of the great
international exposition, the action be-
ing taken so as to insure ample time
in which to prepare to make the expo
sition all that it should be made. The
American commissioners have visited
Japan and the postponement will mere
ly give ampler opportunity for Ameri-
ca to be represented at the exposition.
Not since the first international expo
sition has there been one of greater
Importance than this will be, marking.
as it does. the fftieth anniversary OF
the ascension to the throne of the en-
peror of Japan. TIL extraordinary
leap to the foremost place among the
nations of the world made by Japan
during this half century is something
unparalleled in all previous history
I AXE this opportunity publicly to
state my appreciation of the way in
which in Japan, in Australia, in New
Zealand. and in all the states of South
America, the battle fleet has been re-
ceived on it's practice voyage around
the world. The American government
can not too strongly express its appre-
citation of the Astounding and generous
hospitality shown our ships in every
port they visited.
The Army.
AS regards the army I call attention
to the fact that while our junior Off
GERS n enlisted men stand very high
|, the present system of promotion by
seniority results in bringing into thu
t higher grades many men of mediocre
capacity who have but a short time t.
, serve. No man should regard it as hi
vested right to rise to the highest ranl
; in the army any more than in an.
t other profession. 1t is a curious ant
by no means creditable fact that Their
should be so often a failure on TIL
5 payt of the public and its representa-
: tiyes to understand the great need
$ from the standpoint of the service an
/ the nation, of refusing to promote re
spectacle, elderly incompetents. TIL
4 higher places should be given to tn
n most deserving men without regard t
;, seniority; at least seniority should b
g treated as only one consideration. L
e the stress of modern Industrial com
t petition no business firm could succee
n il those responsible for its management
a were chosen simply on the ground tha
i they were the Oldest people in its en-
ployment; yet this is the course advc
Gated as regards the army, and re
uuired by law for all grades exceI
n those of general officer. Az a matte
= of fact all of the best officers in tn
e highest ranks of the army are thoS
It who have attained their present pos
n ton wholly or in part by n process
l. selection.
10 The scope of retiring boards shou
~ be extended so that they could col
l. slider general unftness to command fl
80 any cause, in order to secure a far mo
rigid enforcement than at present
the elimination Of officers $or ments
physical or temperamental disabilitie
s But this plan is recommended only
lie the congress does not see fit to provi'
lie what in my Judgment is far bette
m that is, for selection in promotion, al
al for elimination for age. officers WI
" fail to attain a certain rank by a ce
le tain age, should be retired-for i
DO stance, if a man should not alta
st field rank by the time he is As
should of course be placed on the r
tired list. General officers should
selected as at present, and one-thi
" of the other promotions should
as made by selection, the selection to
IL made by the president or secretary
p war from a list of at least two cane
ne dates proposed for each vacancy by
" Fboard of officers from the arm of t
n service from which the promotion
to be made. A bill is now before t
e congress having for it's object to s
MS cure the promotion of officers to va
e. Gus grades at reasonable ages throuI
a. process of selection, by boards of
ng fcers, of the least efficient for retiI
nIs ment with a percentage of their p
oy depending upon length of service. T
bill, although not accomplishing
that should be done, is a long step
ri the right direction; and l earnes'
liz recommend it's passage, or that of
~ more completely effective measure.
National Guard.
Now that the organized militia, t
National Guard, has been incorporat
with the army as a part OF the natlol
he forces, it behooves the government
do every reasonable thing in it's pow
to perfect it's efficiency, 1t should
OF assisted In it's instruction and 9th,
ms wise aided more literally than here
Oh fore. The continuous services of ma
er- we~ll-trained regular officers will
err essential in this connection.
me bill is now pending before
mt congress creating q number of eX
De officers in the army, which II pass
as it ought to be. will enable m
officers to be trained as instructors
to National Guard and assigned to {
the duty. In case of war it will be of
the utmost Importance to have a la
ery number of trained officers to use
turning raw levies into good troops
nal The Navy.
at
approve II 80
the genera poaru
crease OIL inc navy ouil"e ''pe.