Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1909-12-10
PRESIDENT rArT,s MESSAGE.

The message of President Taft
sent TO and read in Congress 90 Tues
day is characteristic Of the man.
Its tone is moderate, and he deals
with number Of questions in his
own gentle but effective way 1t is
not masterpiece in rhetoric, but
simply and clearly states and deals
with bis subject in a matter Of fact
manner.
The President in his message fails
to call the attention of Congress to
legislations concerning the trusts.
railroads and conservation.
He says he will call attention to
these things in special messages.
These were among the things that
public looked forward to with eager
interest. We believe however that
the President ia doing this will EN-
able Congress to pass more effective
legislation and deal with these sub
iects more thoroughly when they
arise. In his special messages these
great features Of domestic economy
will be more thoroughly defined than
could he done in a message which
covers variety OF subjects as this
comprehensive and analyGca eontri-
button of Mr.. Taft to tbe messages
Of lie American Presidents.
In his message tie President
urges economy in the expenses Of
the government. In lis discussion
Of the government finances, he says
that the deficit OF $4,000 which
we shall have for the present fiscal
year (which ends June 30 next
will be succeeded, according to con-
sentative estimates by a surplus of
S35, 100000 for the next fiscal year.
This is far greater progres than the
people ever expected. A strong
recommendation of a new fort at the
mouth Of the Chesapeake Bay meets
with popular approval This is one
OF the mos. important points on the
Atlantic Coast and needs thorough
protection. lie endorses the urgent
needs Of policy Of encouragement
for merchant marine on both the
Atlantic and Pacific pointed out by
President Roosevelt.
The proposed reform in court
procedure, which is one Of Mr.. Tatt's
own policies, receives its due share
Of prominence, and the delays in
both civil and criminal branches he
rightly calls 'arehaie and barbarous."
His request for power to appoint a
commission to make a BEGINNING to-
wards-TTsseg 80 a. I'm, by inyesti-
eating ad delays in the
federal 1 an find no valid OBJ
lection, aas it may be hoped that
this recommendation will be speedily
acted upon. His proposal TO limit
iniunctions is reasonable. His asser-
ton that the prevail nee of lynehiag
in some parts of the land may be
traced to delays of our~present judi
cial system, will he Endorsed.
The proposed reorganization Of
the State department, the diplomatic
and consular services, already in part
carried into effect, is amplified in
his message.
1t is well known that reorganizs-
ton is one of the foremost desires
and intentions OF the present admin
istration, and the outline by the
President of his proposed procedure
in carryi g out this policy, not alone
in the Army and Navy but ia the
civil departments as well, demonstrate
the fact that President Taft has a
long business head, and that he pro-
poses to use his brains to carry on
an effective sound economic and
business administration.
Another recommendation that will
meet with highest approval is his
proposal to make individual fitness
and ability count in both civil and
military services and likewise the
need of looking to the publication of
campaign expenses.
He recommends that no action
be taken at present in connection
with the Sugar Trust frauds is in the
interest of the accomplishment Of
Justice.
As to the zelaya matter he gives
congress no concern, thereby iniica-
ting that the government proposes
to handle it without resort to war
but through the State department.
The definite outline Of the needs
and conditions of the country as de
tailed IN his message TO Congaess
cannot fail to receive commentator
from the public and impress Congress