The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-05

suggestion that something had oc- cured on the Isthmus to make the lock type of the canal less feasible than 1t was supposed to be when the reports were made and the policy de- termined on, led to visit to the Isth- mus of a board of competent engineers to examine the Gatun dam and locks which are the key of the lock type. The report of that board shows that nothing has occurred in the nature of newly. revealed evidence which should change tHe views once formed in the original discussion. The construction will go on under a most effective or ganization controlled by Colonel Goethals and his fellow army engineers associated with him, and will certainly be completed early in the next ad- ministrat tion, If not before.
 Some type of canal must be con- structed The lock type has been selected. We are all in favor of hay ing it built as promptly as possible. We must not now therefore keep up a fire In the rear of the agents whom we have authorized to do our work on the Isthmus We must hold up their hands, and speaking for the incoming propose to devote all the energy pos sible and under my control, to the pushing of this work on the plans which have been adopted. and to stand hard work to bring about the early completion of this. the greatest con- structive enterprise of modern times. "The governments of our depen- | dencies in Porto Rico and the Philip pines are progressing as favorably as could be desired. The prosperity of Porto Rico continues unabated. The 1 business conditions in the Philippines to be. but with the passage of the new l tariff bill permitting free trade be- tween the United States and the | Archipelago. with such Limitations In sugar and tobacco as shall prevent in | jury to the domestic interests on those products. we can count on an improve ment in business conditions in the Philippines and the development of a mutually profitable trade between this l country and the islands. Meantime our government in each dependency Is up- holding the traditions of civil liberty and increasing popular control which auspices. The work which we are do ing there rebounds to our credit as a nation
 Policy Toward south.
 T look forward with hope to in creasing the, already good feeling be- tions of the country. My chief pur- pose is not to effect a change In the electoral vote of the Southern States That is secondary. consideration 1 What l look forward to Is an increase in the tolerance of political views o1 all kinds and their advocacy through out the south. and the existence of 6 respectable political opposition IT every state; even more than this. tc an increased feeling on the part of al the people in the south that this gov ernment is their government. and tha its officers ln their states are theil | officers.
 "The consideration of this question cannot however be complete and ful without reference to the negro race its progress and its present condition The 18th Amendment secured then | freedom: the 14th Amendment due pro cess of law, protection of property anC the pursuit of happiness; and the 15tl Amendment attempted to secure thu negro against any deprivation of thu privilege to vote. because he was negro. The 18th and 14th Amendment have been generally enforced and hav secured the objects for which the! were intended While the 15tl Amendment has not been general, observed in the past. 1t ought to b
 observed. and the tendency of South ern Legislation today is toward tn | enactment of electoral qualification
 which shall square with that amend ment Of course, the mere adoption O constitutional law is only one stel in the right direction. It must be fair ly and justly enforced as well. Il
 time both will come. Hence 1t Is clea
 to all that the domination of al