Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1909-12-10

ces of information lead to the view
that there is urgent necessity for adj
ditional legislation and greater exc
cutive activity to suppress the recruit
ing of the ranks of prostitutes from
the streams of immigration into this
country-an evil which, for want OF
a better name, has been called "The
White Slave Trade" / believe 1t TO
be constitutional to forbid, under
penalty, the transportation of per-
sons for purposes of prostitution
across national and state lines; ana
by appropriating a fund OF soo.oC"
to be used by the Secretary OF Com
merce and Labor for the employment
of special inspectors it will be posi-
BILE to bring those responsible Tor
this trade to Indictment and convle-
ton under a federal law.
semicentennial of Negro Freedom.
The year 1913 will mark the fifu-
eth anniversary of the issuance Of
the Emancipation Proclamation
granting freedom to the negroes. IL
seems fitting that this event should
bes properly celebrated. Already a
movement has been started by prom
inent negroes, encouraged by prom
inent white people and the press. The
South especially is manifesting its
interest in this movement.
1t is suggested that proper form
of celebration would be an exposi-
ton to show the progress the negroes
have made, not only during their per-
iod of freedom, but also from the
time of their coming to this country.
I heartily indorse this proposal,
and request that the Executive be
authorized to appoint a preliminary
commission of not more than seven
persons to consider carefully whether
or not it is wise to hold such an ex-
position, and If so, to outline plan
for the enterprise. further recon-
mend that such preliminary COM
mission serve without salary, except
as to their actual expenses, and that
an appropriation be made to meet
such expenses.
Conclusion.
have thus. in a message COM
pressed as much as the subjects Will
permit, referred to many of the legis-
lative needs of the country, with the
exceptions already noted. Speaking
generally, the couTtry is in a high
state of prosperity. There is every
reason to believe that We are on the
eve of a substantial business cxpan-
sion, and We have just garnered
harvest unexampled in the market
value of our agricultural products
The high prices which such products
bring mean great prosperity for the
farming community. but on the other
hand they mean a very considerably
increase burden upon those classes In
the community whose yearly compen'
sation does not expand with the i'm
provement in business and the gener'
{ al prosperity. Various reasons arc
given for the high prices. The pro-
portionate increase in the output oil
gold, which to-day is the chief med
= ium of exchange and is in some res
poets (. measure of value, furnishes
substantial explanation of at leas
part of the increase in prices. The
4 increase in population and the more
expensive mode of living OF the PEG
pie, which have not been accom-
panied by a proportionate increase II
acreage production. may furnish
further reason. 1t Is well 70 not'
that the increase in the cost OF living
is not confined to this country, bu
prevails the world over. and tina
those who would charge increases IL
prices to the existing protective tar
III must meet the fact that the ris
in prices has taken place almos
wholly in these products of the fac
tory and farm in respect to whicl
there has been either no increase II
:Ae tariff or in many instances YER
considerable reduction.
WM. H. TAFT.
THE WHITE HOUSE,