The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-12-09
THEY Hear TAFT
Customary Presidential Advice Has Been
Delivered
TO SENATE And ROUSE

ITO SENATE And HOUSE
The Tenor Of the Document Pleases
the Republicans, Who Think Its
Reconneadstions Are Q skiliful
Cross Between Fulalment OF the
b Pledges and Recommendation.
Congress met on last Monday and
On Tuesdayvheard President Taft's
message read. The sormaiity of
reading the message consumed about
an hour and 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 be-
fore that body adjourned.
Little fault was found with the
message among the Republicans, who
seemed to agree that 1t was as sat
isfactory q document as the Presi-
dent could prepare and remain con-
sistent with the. partys campaign
pledges. The Democrats approved
OF the presidents efforts to econo-
lnise but deprecated his suggestion
that the Monroe doctrine had prac-
ideally become obsolete.
Opposition to the proposed imme-
dIate congressiona! investigation OF
the sugar import scandals in the
New York custom house. and like
wise to any further revision OF the
tariff at present; absence OF any
specific c"Tecommendation regarding
the crisis In Nicaragua, and actual
Recommendation OF legislation to for,
bid the issuance of judicial injunc-
ttops without notice in labor contro-
versies, and for the establishment
OF 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
snsi-trust aud interstate commerce
acts, and the contemplated revision
III 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 be "in q high state of
prosperity" and he adds that there
is every reason to believe that we
are on a eve of substantial busi-
ness expansion, and we have just
garnered' harvest unexampled In
the market value Of agricultural pro-
ducts"
The president expressed entire
confidence nhat the duty imposed
upon the executive Of enforcing the
naximum rates Of the new tariff law
against nations unduly discriminate
ing against the United States will
not provoke any tariff war, and he
favors NO further tariff tinkering
at least until the new tariff com
mission has completed its work OF
gathering information as to the reia-
tive cost of producing dutiabfe ar
ticles In this country and abroad.
This task, he expects. will occupy
two or three years.
Projects. recommended by the
president. In addition to those men
toned above, include:
A ship subsidy to encourage Amer
lean shipping.
Publicity OF political contributions
IN elections of members of congress.
Civil pensions.
A higher rate of postage on peri
od!cals and magazines.
A fund of $4,000 to aid In sup
pressing the white slave" traffic.
A commission to evolve g plan to
expedite legal procedure and miti-
gate the claws delays"
Construction of an artificial island
and forti6cation in the entrance to
Chesapeake bay, two battleships anu
one repair ship for the navy and
the establishment of an extensive
naval base at Pearl Island, Hawaii.
A''national bureau of health.
Statehood for New Mexico and
Arizona and an eppointive 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 remodelling
OF the District Of Columbia jail.
Calling attention to the crisis in
Central American affairs brought