New-York tribune., 1908-12-09
THE MESSAGE.

With his African trip before him, only few
months Of his term in office left and only
short session Of Congress in which 10 accom-
nlish ANYTHING. President Roosevelt in his mes
sage shows none Of that weariness OF pubic
life and desire to turn aside from its problems
which would be- natural in any one OF less
abounding energy. He is as volumtnous as
ever HIS interest In social questions is IN
ahated and II extends just as far into the future
as it ever did He does not cOnfine himself to
recommending the next steps which he con
ceives TO be necessary in carrying into erect
the new spirit of democracy and adapting the
government 10 present day conditions but pro
claims his whole social philosophy" in all It's
length and breadth. perhaps TO illustrate
whittier It leads. that no one may go with
him blindIy. perhaps TO contribute TO the forma-
ton Of public opinion long in advance on ques-
tionS which will inevitably arise time goes
nv but probably because the social revolution
that he discerns as the inevitable Concomitant
Of the economic revolution" Of which he
speaks and which has been taking place almost
unreal}zed interests him profoundly, and he
cause he hopes 10 shape II not only ny his ad-
ministration hut also by his influence upon
public opinion long afterward. Social changes
bsve the property Of taking a powerful hold
upop the minds. hearts and imaginstisns Of
those who witness them take part in them.
and the President is one Of the men TO whom
thew make q profound appeal. The great service
Of his sdministra tion has been in calling public
attention 10 socia! questions and bringing them
into noIitics His zeal for them IS as lively
as ever. and this freshness, after the long and
wearying routine Of Office. with its inevitable
disappointments, its record Of incomplete re-
suits and its testimony TO the slowness of prog
ress and the magnitude Of obstacles. is a won
derful proof of mental moral and physical
yigor.
In message which with only a few months
Of the Presidential term left, goes so far 8feld
In the discussion Of social questions as TO tell
the country that it viii some time though mot
at present" have to consider the question OF old
age pensions. II is inevitable that much space
should be devoted to other subjects than those
of immediate Importance upon which specific
recommends tfons should be made. The Presi-
dent discusses all his familiar topics in the
vein which regular and special messages for
the last seven years have made familiar i
can only repeat what have already again and
again said in my MESA ges to Congress- he
remarks in speaking of corporations Bat II
he has suffered the penalties of repetition ne
has also gained its advantages, and the profound
impression he has produced upon the country
measures the wisdom of his course
In this message he takes up the labor problem
again rphearsing what in his Judgment the
country at large should undertake for IT'S social
betterment- and recommending 10 Congress the
comparatively little which under our fedora
system il can do. He devotes considerable
space TO the courts. more perhaps than to any
other topic. except forestry, advising an increase
in Judges salaries and the enactment OF an
Injunction law in harmony with the Chicago
nla atform. but really giving chief attention to
the part the courts should play in wisely mould
ing the social changes which he sees comlng-a
subject on which of course. recommendations
are impossible All Of the questions he discusses
are OF real and vital Importance. Many OF
them Will doubtless. remain unsettled when
President Tafts administration Is over They
will. however have 10 be dealt with some day.
and Mr.. Roosevelt's provision regarding them Is
at least as valuable as that Of any other man
in public life while his method, which has
differed from that Of his predecessors. has been
wonderfully useful in stimulating the forma-
ton Of intelligent public opinion.