The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-04

led to visit to the Isthmus of board
of competent engineers to examine the
Gatum dam and locks which are the
key Of the lock type. The report Of that
board shows that nothing has occurred
in the nature of newly revealed evidence
which should change the views once
formed in the original discussion. The
construction will go on under a most
effective organization controlled by Col.
Goethals and his fellow army engineers
associated with him. and will certainly
be completed early in the next admin
istration, If not before.
To-Push the Work.
Some type Of canal must be con-
structed. The lock type has been Sc
lected. We are all in favor of having
1t built as promptly as possible. We
must not now, therefore. keep up a
fire in the rear of the agents whom
We have authorized to do our work
on the isthmus We must hold up
their hands, and speaking for the in
coming administration, I wish to say
that propose to devote all the energy
possible and under my control, to the
pushing of this work on the plans
which have been adopted, and to
stand behind the men who are doing
faithful hard work to bring about the
early completion Of this, the greatest
constructive enterprise of modern
times.
The governments of our dependen-
cies in Porto Rico and the Philippines
are progressing as favorably as could
be desired. The prosperity of Porto
Rico continues unabated. The busi-
ness conditions in the Philippines are
not all that we could wish them to be,
but with the passage of the new tariff
Dill permitting free trade between the
United States and the Archipelago,
with such limitations in sugar and to-
bacco as shall prevent injury to the
domestic interests on those products,
we can count on an Improvement in
business conditions in the Philippines
and the development of mutually
profitable trade between this country
ernment in each dependency is up
holding the traditions of civil liberty
and increasing popular control which
might be expected under American
auspices. The work which we are do
ing there rebounds to our credit as a
nation.
I look forward with hope to in
creasing the already good feeling be-
tions of the country. My chief pur-
pose is not to effect a change in the
electoral vote of the southern states.
That is a secondary consideration.
What I look forward to is an increase
in the tolerance of political views of
all kinds and their advocacy through
out the south, and the existence of a
respectable political opposition in ev-
cry state; even more than this, to an
increased feeling on the part of all the
people in the south that this govern
ment is their government, and that its
officers in their states are their Of
fieers.
The Negro Race.
The consideration of this question
cannot. however, be complete and full
without reference to the negro race
its progress and it's present condition
The 18th amendment secured them
freedom; the 14th amendment due pro-
cess of law, protection OF property and
the pursuit of happiness; and the 18th
amendment attempted to secure the
privilege to vote. because he was a
negro The 18th and 14th amendments
have been generally enforced and have
intended.
While the 18th amendment has NOT
been generally observed in the past, it
ought to be observed and the tendency
of southern legislation today is toward
the enactment of electoral qualif1ca-
tions which shall square with that
amendment. OF course, the mere
adoption of a constitutional law is only
one step in the right direction. 1t must
be fairly and justly enforced as we'll.
In time both will come. Hence it is
clear to all that the domination of an
ignorant, irresponsible element can be
prevented by constitutional laws which |
shall exclude from voting both negroes
and whites not phaving education or
other qualifications thought to be |
necessary for a proper electorate.
Danger Has Passed.
The danger of the control of an ig-i