The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1905-1910, 1909-12-10

In his first message 10 regular SEES
sion Of Congress, President Taft takes
crack at creation and suggests
enough matters for the consideration
Of that body TO keep II at work All
Summer. Boiled down for the benefit
Of those who will not wade through six
teen columns Of dreary matter, he does
not, strange to say, want an immedi-
ate congressional investigation OF the
sugar scandal because he says that
such an investigation might by giving
immunity and otherwise. prove an EN-
barrassment in the conviction OF the
guilty parties. On the Nicaragusn
question he makes no specific sugges-
tons. but says that this country has
terminated diplomatic relations with
the Zelayan administration and intends
to take further steps to inquire into
the execution Of the two Americans.
The President does not wish fur
Their revision Of the tariff at present,
believing that the power given him to
enforce the maximum and minimum
rates will enable him to prevent tar
iff war. He asks for legislation to for
bid the usual of judicial injunction
in the labor controversies without no.
tice, advises the establishment Of pos
tai savings bank system. advocates
ship subsidy to encourage American
shipping, wants publicity given to po'
litical contributions in all elections
over which Congress has direct super
vision, advocates a civil pension, a
higher rate of postage on periodicals
and magazines. fund of $4,000 to
suppress what is called for the want
of better name the white slave
trade" commission to present
plan to prevent the laws delay, the
construc ton of an artificial island and
fertilization at the entrance Of Chesa-
peake Bay. the construction of two
battleships and repair ship for the
navy, the establishment of an extern
sive naval base at Pearl Island, Ha.
wai, and national board of health.
The President further recommends
statehoodlfor New Mexico and Arizo-
ma and an appointive governor and
executive board for Alaska. the cele-
bration in 1918 of the fiftieth anniver-
sary oflNegro emancipation. proposes
a Panama: bond issue to meet the large
deficit in the treasury. tells of the sat
isfactory arrangement by arbitration of
the important Fisheries of North
America, the measures taken to pro-
tect the fur seal. hopes for a happy
adjustment of the Congo question. ex-
presses desire for a larger protection
for Liberia, satisfaction on the declara-
ton of Japan and Russia in favor of
the "open door" and asks appropriations
for thelexpenses of the Pan-American
congress to be held in Buenos Ayres
and for participation in the Belgian
exposition, both to occur next year.
1t is a difficult task to make a State
paper interesting, even with the
Rooseveltian pyrotechnics, and Presi-
dent Taft seems not to have tried to
make his message.Emore than dull
and dreary recital. Those who ex-
pected better things are disappointed,
while his admirers admire, of course.
The entire document shows that the
President is no better than his party
and that he cannot arise above it
even if he had the inclination.
The best that can be said of it is
that it is the careful and dignified ut
tsrance of man who doesn't wish to
say too much to hurt the feelings of
those who do not believe in the policy
of the reactionists. to whom he seems
united. Lexington Gazette.