The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-12-15
THEY HEAR TAFT
Customary Presidential Advice Has Beea
Delivered
TO SENATE And HOUSE

the Republicans, Who Think Its
Recommendations Are a Skillful
Cross Between Fulhllment Of the
Pledges and Recommendations.
Congress met on last Monday and
on Tuesday heard President Taft's
message read. The Formally OF
reading the message consumed about
an hour and q half OF the time OF
each house. When the conclusion
was reached the house Immediately
adjourned but the senate remained
in session for some time afterward.
an executive session being held 3D.
fore that body adjourned.
Little fault was found with the
message among the Republicans, who
seemed to agree that it was as sat-
is~factory a document as the Presi-
dent could prepare and remain con-
sistcnt with the party's campaign
pledges. The Democrats approved
Of the presidents efforts to econo-
mize but deprecated his suggestion
that the Monroe doctrine had prao-
tically become obsolete.
Opposition to the proposed imme-
dists congressional investigation OF
the sugar import scandals In tho
New York custom house, and hke-
wise to any further revision OF the
tariff at present; absence OF eny
specihc recommendation regarding
the crisis In Nicaragua. and actual
recommendation OF legislation to for
bid the issuance Of judicial injuno-
tions without notice In labor contro-
versies, and for the establishment
of a system Of postal savings banks.
may be considered the most strik-
ing features Of the first annual mes
sage Of President Taft to congress.
The Nicaraguan question, conser-
walton OF the nations natural re-
sources, needed amendments to the
antitrust and Interstate commerce
acts, and the contemplated revision
of the federal statutes governing
the organization of the armed forces
OF the nation in time OF war are all
reserved for possible treatment later
In special messages.
In his message which bulks some
1900 words, Mr.. Taft reports the
country to lie I'm a high state OF
prosperity" and he adds that there
is every reason to believe that we
are on a eve Of a substantial bust.
ness expansion, and We have 1ust
garnered a harvest unexampled tn
the market value Of agricultural pro-
ducts"
The president expressed entire
confidence that the duty imposed
upon the executive OF enforcing the
maximum rates Of the new tariff law
against nations unduly discriminate
Ing against the United States will
not provoke any tariff war, and be
favors no further tariff tinkertng
at least until the new tariff COM
mission has completed its work OF
gathering information as to the rela-
tive cost Of producing dutiaole ar
tcles in this country and abroad.
This task, he expects. will occupy
" or three years.
Projects recommended by the
president. in addition to those men.
toned above, include:
A ship subsidy to encourage Amer
ican shipping.
Publicity Of political contributions
In elections of members OF congress.
Civil pensions.
A higher rate Of postage on peri
odicals and magazines.
A fund of $4,000 to aid In sup
pressing the white slave" trafhc.
A commission to evolve a plan to
expedite legal procedure and mitt-
gate the laws delays"
Construction Of an artificial island
and fortiication in the entrance to
Chesapeake bay, two battlsshtps and
n repair chip for the navy an
the establishment Of an extensive
naval base at Pearl Island, Hawaii.
A national bureau Of health.
Statehood for New Mexico and
Arizona AMI an appointive governor
and executive council for Alaska.
Civil control of the light house
board and separation Of the national
survey.
Celebration In 1913 of the semi
centennial Of negro emancipation
and reimbursement Of the depositors
Of the defunct Freedman's Trust and
Saving Company.
Consolidation Of the bureau Of
manufacturers and statistics In the
department Of commerce and labor.
Appropriation for the r%emodelling
Of the District Of Columbia jail.
Calling attention to the crisis In
Central American affairs brought
about by the execution in Nicaragua
OF two Americans, the president an
nounces that this government has
terminated diplomatic relations with
the Zelayan administration In Mica
ragua and intends to take such fur
Their steps as may be found most
consistent with It's dignity. it's du-
ty to American interests and it's
moral obligation to Central America
and to civilization"