Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-06-25


anu contentment OF the people.
Concerning the work of the army, the
chairman said:
The work of recognizing and promoting
the efficiency of the army has gone steadily
Forward until we have military force not
only s.. III lent to maintain peace within our
own borders, but capable OF resisting any
possible force that coall be seat against
US The establishment of a general stan
or the army has made action by IL more
prompt and eGcctiFc than ever before, and
has served 10 give the policy of improve
mcnt in the army a prominent character
Most Important pl9Sress has been made
in the Development OF the national militia
as an aid 20 tbs Iesuar army. BY we'll
directed legislation ani ny the activity OF
the proper bureaus G1s,eae War Department,
for the first time ia taa History of the coun-
try adequate steps arc being taken to bring
about an approXin1Ss.ens of armament, equip
ment and discipline OF The militia to those
of the regular army. The Importance of
this development for national defense can
not be oyereStimStPd.
Another aai TOSt remarkable instance Of
the efficiency Of the army has been the work
done by 1t during the year of its stay in
Cuba as a force Tor the maintenance of the
tranquilliza tion Of that island. Not sin
gle report o. any abuse by officer or man
has reached the department during the en-
tire time.
Success IA the Islands.
The management of orr outlying posses
sionS under Republican administration has
been attended with remarkable success
Under American occupation and control the
commerce of the Island of Porto Rico,
which in the most prosperous days OF
Spanish rule aggregated but S22OOO,O00,
was. in 1907, S56.0OO.oOO. The production
OF sugar has advanced from los, 900 tons to
100000 tons, valued at $15.O00.0O0
In the Philippine Islands the people have
been given Il legislative body the full
power of conducting their own municipal
ana provincial governments, the establish
mont OF their own tariff system, the direc-
ton of tn postal sPryice and, indeed great
q rights and powers than those possessed
Hy any other people subject to our sovec-
ci4nty. The work of civiliZlng and uplift-
iCg the Inhabitants of the Philippine ISL
ands has gone forward with remarkable
rosIPSs.
cur navy has been strengthened until to-
day we hold a second place among the naval
powers in the world and Our fleet of battle
ships rides trumphnntly around the globe,
receiving the friendly salutations of the
nations, conveying peace and good will to
all the people.
Praises Department of Justice.
The Department of Justice has prose-
cutcd its work with fidelity and diligence.
seeking to prevent violations of federal law
ana 10 mete cat mer.tei punishment to
the guilty. Its most important work dur
ing the last four years has been to defend
the soundneSS of the position taken by it re-
lating to prosecutions under the sherman
antitrust law and the Interstate commerce
law, by carrying proceedings thus inaugu-
rated through the various courts and to
final determination by the Supreme Court
CT the United States that the constitution
alty of these acts might be adjudicated
and settled. Without rehcarsing the legis-
lation enacted to correct the evils and the
work of enforcing these statutes, it is
gratifying to know that the abuses COM
planned of are fast disappearing. Carrier
and shipper alike are cooperating in the
epfOi cement of the law, and what at one
time threatened to be Il protracted and acri-
moniOus struggle is fast assuming u peace
full solution.
The tariff received attention In these
words:
The Republican party stands for re-
vision and reimbursement of our customs
laws as changed industrial conditions at
home and abroad may have made neceS-
sarv keeping steadily in view the cardinal
principles of protection to American indus
tries and American labor. Public declara-
tions Icy Congress upon the eve of the cleo
ton give the most solemn assurance possi-
bic that the work will be speedily under
taken and pressed to an early consumma-
ton. In this connection it can be safely
promised that whatever revision or read
iusimcnt takes place under the control OF
the Republican party, il will give just and
adequate protection to American industries
and American labor and defend the Ameri-
can market against unjust and unequal ag-
gression from whatever quarter 1t may
come.
Money Reform Required.
Money conditions were treated as fol-
lows:
Our recent financial disturbance chaI-
lengpd the sOundness of our monetary con-
dtion aud brought to the fore the question
of our banking and currency system, the
consideration of which became and con-
tinues to be a subject Of pressing and COM
manding Importance.
That such disturbance should have oc-
Cured under such circumstances furnishes
the strongest evidence that there Is some
thing inherently defective in the system
itself, which can only be reached by
thorough overhauling. But this system,
hastily inaugurated by Secretary Chase
during the eXigencies of war, while CON
fessedv defective in its inability to respond
at all times to the varying and eXacting
demands of trade, yet during the forty
years of its existence has served wise and
benefcent purpose.
Ts.umphs I'm Diplomacy.
After dwelling upon the recent finan-
cial legislation and the necessity for
further action, Senator Burrows took
up the administration triumphs in
diplomacy. lie said:
Having become n world power, our infiu-
ence is worldwide and always exerted in
the interest of peace and the betterment Of
mankind. When the dispute between Ger
many and France regarding the right of
control in Morocco threatened to involve
all Europe in war, the active influence Of
the United States, both directly and
ut Algeciras was a potent factor in bring
ing about a peaceable solution.
The participation of the United States
In the Pan-Amercan conference at Rio de
Janeiro In August, 1906, and the visit Of
Secretary Root to that conference and to
all the principal maritime countries OF
South America, where be was received with
..2iyersel acclaim, put an end to the suspi-
cIon and distrust with which the growing
power of the United States regarded
by the Latin-American races, and began
new era Of friendship and sympathy be-
tween all the American republics ~
Peace on Isti,1::us Demanded.
The building of the Panama Canal, the
most colossal undertaking of the century,
the successful completion of which is now
assured, makes 1t more important to the
United States thar ever before that there
shall be no hostile control of the route be-
tween either our great Atlantic and Pachc
ports and the isthmus.
The way in which order was restored
in Santo Domingo, the work of The
Hague conference and the adoption Of
international treaties were recOunted.
As to the japanese question, Mr.. Bur-
rows said
The questions between Japan and the
United States which caused so much pub
lie excitement in 1907, have been disposed
of to the satisfaction Of the people Of both
countries. The friendship and sympathy be-
tween the two governments have been Sig
nalzed by the general treaty of arDitra-
ton concluded between them, by the inyi-
ia lion and acceptance of the invitation for
the visit of our feet at Tokyo, and by the
response of the United States to the invi-
ttion Of Japan to participate in the great
exposition which is to be held at Tokyo in
1912, for which Congress has authorized
the expenditure of $1,000, 900, the greatest
sum ever appropriated for foreign expo
stion.
Chairman Burrows closed his address
with a reference to the commercial
agreements which prevented tariff wars,
and then gave the praise previously re-
corded to Mr.. Roosevelt.