The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-12-09

have again and again during the past
seven years prosecuted and convicted
such criminals who were in the eXecu-
tive brapch of the government SO i II
my belief we should be given ample
means to prosecute them if found in
the legislative branch. But if this is
not considered desirable a special eX-
ceptiOn could be made in the law pro-
hibiting the use of the secret service
force in investigating members of the
congress. 1t would be far better to do
this than to do what actually was done
and strive to prevent or at least to
! hamper effective action against Grim
inals by the executive branch of the
government.
Postal Savings Banks.
l again renew my recommendation
for postal savings banks, for deposit
ing savings with the security of the
government behind them. The object
is to encourage thrift and economy in
the wage Garner and person Of mod
crate means. 1t is believed that in the
aggregate vast sums Of money would
be brought into circulation through
the instrunentality of the postal saw
ings banks. Postal savings banks are
now in operation in practically all the
great civilized countries with the ex-
ception of the United States.
Parcel Post.
In my last annual message I COM
mended the postmaster generals rec
concentration for an extension Of the
parcel post on the rural routes. The
establishment of a local parcel post
on rural routes would be to the mu-
tual benefit Of the farmer and the
country ~storekccper, and it is desirable
that the routes, serving more than 15,-
100000 people, should be utilized to the
fullest practicable extent.
Education.
The share that the national govern
ment should take in the broad work Of
education has not received the atten-
ton and the are it rightly deserves.
| earnestly recommend that this I'M
fortunate state of affairs as regards
the national educational office be rem
edied by adequate appropriations.
Census.
l strongly urge that the request Of
the director Of the census in connec-
tion with the decennial work so soon
to be begun be complied with and that
the appointments to the census force
be placed under the civil service. law,
waving the geographical requirements
as requested by the director Of the
census The supervisors and enumer-
ators should not be appointed under
the civil service law for the reasons
given by the director.
Public Health.
The dangers to public health from
food adultcration and from many 9th
or sources, such as the menace to the
physical, mental and moral develop
ment Of children from child labor,
should be met and overcome. This ma
ton cannot afford to lag behind in the
worldwide battle now being waged
by all civilized people with the micro
SCOPE foes of mankind. The first leg
islativc step to be taken is that for the
concentration of the proper bureaus
into II of the existing departments.
Statehood.
advocate the immediate admission
OF New Mexico and Arizona as states.
This should be done at the present SEES
Sion of the congress-. The people of
the two territories have made it evil
dent by their votes that they will not
come in as one state. The only alter
native is to admit them as two, and l
trust that this will be done without
delay.
Foreign Affairs.
This nations foreign policy is based
on the theory that right must be done
between nations precisely as between
individuals. and in our actions for the
last ten years we have in this matter
proved II faith by our deeds. We
have behaved and are behaving to-
ward other nations as in private life an
honorable man would behave toward
his fellows.
Latin American Republics.
The commercial and material prog
ress of the twenty Latin American re
publics is worthy of the careful attcn.
ton OF the congress. No other section
of the world has shown Il greater pro
portionate development of its foreign
trade during the last ten years, and
non other has moro special claims Oh
the interest of the United States.
Panama Canal.
The work on the Panama canal is be
ing done with a speed, efficiency ant
entire devotion to duty which make i
a model for all work Of the kind. n,
task of such magnitude has ever bcfor,
been undertaken by any nation, and II,
task Of the kind has ever been bette
performed. The men on the isthmus
from Colonel Cocktails and his fellow
commissioners through the entire lis
Of employees who are faithfully dom
their duty, have won their right to tn
ungrudging respect and gratitude G
the American people.