The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1909-03-05

defect IN the present tederal Jurlsnlo-
ton which ought to be remedied at
once. Having assured to other coun-
tries by treaty the protection Of our
laws for such of their subjects or
citizens az we permit to come within
our jurisdiction. we now leave to q
state or a city, not under the control
Of the federal government, a duty of
performing our international obliga-
lions in this respect. BY proper legis-
lation we may, and ought to, place In
the hands of the federal executive the
means of enforcing the treaty rights
Of such aliens in the courts Of the fed
eral government. 1t puts our govern
ment in a ~pusillanimous position to
make definite engagements to protect
aliens and then to excuse the failure
to perform those engagements by an
explanation that the duty to keep
them Is in states or cities, not within
our control. If we would promise, we
must put ourselves in a position to
perform our promise. We cannot per-
NIT the possible failure of justice due
to local prejudice in any state or mu-
nicipal government to expose us to
the risk Of a wal which might be
avoided If federal jurisdiction was as
serted by suitable legislation by con
gress and carried out by proper pro-
ceedings instituted by the executive,
in the courts of the national govern
ment.
Monetary and Banking Laws.
One of the reforms to be carried
out during the incoming administra-
ton Is a change of our monetary and
banking laws, so as to secur greater
elasticity in the forms of currency
available for trade, and to prevent the
limitations Of law from operating to
increase the embarrassments OF q
financial panic. The monetary COM
mission lately appointed is giving full
consideration to existing conditions
and to all proposed remedies, and will
doubtless suggest one that will meet
the requirements of business and of
public interest. We may hope that
the report will embody neither the mar
row view Of those who believe that the
sole purpose of the new system should
be to secure a large return on bank
ing capital or Of those who would
have greater expansion of currency
with little regard to provisions for its
immediate redemption or ultimate Sc.
curfty. There Is no subject of eco
nomic discussion so intricate and so
likely to evoke differing views and
dogmatic statements as this one. The
commission in studying the general in
fuence of currency on business and
OF business on currency, have wisely
extended their investigation in Euro
pean banking and monetary methods.
Urges Postal Savings Banks.
The incoming congress should
promptly fulfill the promise Of the Re-
publican platform and pass a proper
postal savings bank bill. 1t will not
be unwise or excessive p%aternalism.
h promise to repay by the govern
ment will furnish an inducement to
savings deposits which private enter
prise cannot supply, and at such a low
rate of interest as not to withdraw
custom from existing banks. 1t will
substantially increase the funds avail
able for investment as capital in USE
full enterprises. 1t will furnish the
absolute security which makes the
proposed scheme of government guar
anty of deposits so alluring without
its pernicious results.
I sincerely hope that the incoming
congress will be alive, as 1t should be,
IN tho fmnOft q ma Nf 40 foro;~n 49, dc
and of encouraging it in every way
feasible. The possibility of increas-
ing this trade in the orient, In the
Philippines and in South America are
known to everyone who has given the
matter attention.
The importance which the depart.
ment of agriculture and Of commerce
and labor may play in Kidding the
markets of Europe of prohibitions and
determinations against the importa'
ton of our products is fully under
stood, and 1t is hoped that the use OF
the maximum and minimum feature
of our tariff law to be oon passed
will be effective to remove many Of
those restrictions.
The Panama Canal.
The Panama canal will have a mos
important bearing upon the trade be
tween the eastern and the far western
sections of our country, and will great
ly increase the facilities for transpor
tation between the eastern and west
ern seaboard, and may possibly revo
~lutionize the transcontineneal rate
with respect to bulky merchandise. l
will also have a most beneficial effec
to increase the trade between the east
ern seaboard of the United States ant
the western coast of South America
and, indeed, with some Of the i'm
portant ports on the east coast o
South America reached by rail from
the west coast. The work on tn
canal is making most satisfactor,
progress. The type Of the canal as
lock canal was fixed by congress afte
n Full consideration of the cOnhictin