Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-03-04

II may well be submitted TO the seri-
Gus consideration OF congress whether
the deepening and control OF the chan
mel of great river system, like that
of the Ohio or OF the Mississippi. when
definite and practical plans for the
enterprise have been approved and
determined upon, should not be pro-
vided for In the same way.
For Army and Navy.
Then, too, there are expenditures
Of government absolutely necessary II
our country 10 to maintain its proper
place among the nations OF the world,
and is to exercise its proper influence
In defense of its own trade interests,
In the maintenance of traditional
American policy against the COLOMBIA
ton of European monarchies In this
hemisphere. and in the promotion OF
peace and international morality. l
refer TO the cost of maintaining
proper army, q proper navy and suit
able Notifications upon the mainland
Of the United States and In its depend
encies.
We should have an army so organ
lied, and SO oficered, as to be capable
In time of emergency In cooperation
with the national militia, and under
the provisions of a proper national
volunteer law, rapidly to expand into
Q force sufficient to resist all probable
invasion from abroad and to furnish
o respectable expeditionary force, II
necessary, In the maintenance OF our
traditional American policy which
bears the name Of President Monroe.
Our Notifications are yet In a state
of only partial completeness and the
number of men to man them is insufh-
cient What has been said Of the army
may be affirmed in even q more en-
phatic way of the navy. A modern
navy cannot be improvisesd. 1t must
be built and In existence when the
emergency arises which calls for its
use and operation.
Asiatic immigration.
The admission of Asiatic immi-
grants who cannot be amalgamated
with our population has been made
the subject either of prohibitory
clauses in our treaties and statutes,
or of strict administrative regulation
secured by diplomatic negotiation.
sincerely hope that we may continue
to minimize the evils likely to arise
from such immigration without un-
necessary friction and by mutual con-
cessions between self-respecting gov
ernments. Meantime, we must take
every precaution to prevent, or, fail
ing that, to punish outbursts of race
feeling among our people against for
eigners Of whatever nationality who
have by our grant treaty right to
pursue lawful business here and to be
protected against lawless assault OF
injury.
This leads me to point out a serious
defect in the present federal jurisdic
ton which ought to be remedied al
once. Having assured to other coun
tries by treaty the protection of oul
laws for such of their subjects OF
citizens as we permit to come within
our jurisdiction, we now leave to
state OF a city, not under the contro
OF the federal government, duty o.
performing our international obliga
tons in this respect. BY proper legis
lation we may, and ought to, place IL
the hands of the federal executive thu
means of enforcing the treaty right.
of such aliens in the courts of the fed
eral government. It puts our govern
ment in a pusillanimous position Il
make definite engagements to protec
aliens and then to excuse the failure
to perform those engagements by al
explanation that the duty to keel
them is in states or cities, not within
our control.
Monetary Laws Need Change.
One of the reforms to be carried
out during the incoming administra
ton is a change of our monetary ant
banking laws, so as TO secure create
elasticity in the forms of currenc.
available for trade, and to prevent thu
limitations of law from operating t,
increase the embarrassments of
financial panic. The monetary com
mission lately appointed is giving full
! consideration to existing condition
} and to all proposed remedies, and will
doubtless suggest one that will NEE
the requirements of business and o
public interest We may hope tina
the report will embody neither the nal
row view of those who believe that tn
sole purpose of the new system shoul,
J be to secure a large return on bank
7 ing capital or of those who woul,
have greater expansion of currenc,
with little regard to provisions for it
immediate redemption or ultimate sc
! curity. There is no subject of eco
! nomic discussion so intricate and s,
! likely to evoke different views an,
} dogmatic statements as this one. Tn,
commission in studying the general in
; fiuence OF currency on business an,
of business on currency, have wisel,
extended their investigation in Euro
J pean banking and monetary methods
} The incoming congress shoul,
promptly fulfill the promise of the Re
publican platform and pass a prope
postal savings bank bill 1t will no
be unwise or excessive paternalism
The promise to repay by the govern
ment will furnish an inducement t
savings deposits which private enter
prise cannot supply, and at such a Low
! rate of interest as not to Withdraw
: custom from existing banks. IL will
substantially increase the funds avail
able for investmer as capital in use
: full enterprises. II will furnish tn,
: absolute security which makes tn,
proposed scheme OF government guar