Semi-weekly herald., 1916-12-07

s11Rl111ue1 IIezluu11{l9
vice that these measures be enacted
into law. Their urgency lies In the
manifest circumstances which rem
der their adoption at this time not
only opportune but necessary. Even
delay would seriously jeopardize the
interests of the country and Of the
government.
immediate passage of the bill to
regulate the expenditure Of money
in elections may seem to be less nee
essary than the immediate enactment
of the other measures to which re.
fer; because at least two years will
elapse before another election in
which federal offices are to be filled;
but it would greatly relieve the pub
lie mind if this important matter
were dealt with while the circum-
stances and the dangers of the pub
lie morals of the present method of
obtaining and spending campaign
funds stand clear under recent obser-
walton and the methods of expendi-
ture can be frankly studied in the
light of present experience; and n
delay would have the further very
serious disadvantage of postponing
action until another election was at
hand and some special object con-
nected with itmight be thought to be
in the mind of those who urged it.
Action can be taken now with facts
for guidance and without suspicion
of partisan purpose.
| shall not argue at length the de-
sirability of giving freer hand in
the matter of combined and concert
ed effort to those who shall under
take the essential enterprise Of build
ing up our export trade. That en-
terprise will presently, will imme-
diately assume, has indeed already
assumed, magnitude unprecedented
in our experience. We have not the
necessary instrumentalities for its
prosecution; it is deemed to be doubt
ful whether they could be created up
on an adequate scale under our pres.
ant laws. We should clear away all
legal obstacles and create basis of
Indoubted law for it which will give
freedom without permitting unegu-
lated license. The thing must be
lone now, because the opportunity is
here and may escape us II we hest
ate or delay.
TIE argument for the proposed
amendments of the organic law of
Porto Rico is brief and conclusive.
The present laws governing the ISL
md and regulating tine rights and
privileges of its people are not just.
We have created expectations of ex-
ended privilege which we have not
satisfied. There is uneasiness among
he people of the Island and even a
uspicious doubt with regard to our
intentions concerning them which
he adoption of the pending measure
would happily remove. We do not
loubt what we wish to do in any es-
ential particular We ought to do IL
Il once.
There are other matters already
ldvanced to the stage of conference
hetween the two Houses of which it
S not necessary that I should speak.
Some practicable basis of agreement
concerning them will no doubt be
'ound and action taken upon them.
Inasmuch as this is, Gentlemen,
probably the last occasion l shall
iave to address the Sixty-fourth Con-
yress, I hope That you
will permit me to say with
what genuine pleasure and
latisfaction I have cooperated with
you in the many measures of con-
'tructive policy with which you have
,nriched the legislative annals of the
COUNTRY. It has been a privilege to
abour in such company. take the
liberty of congratulating you upon
The completion of a record of rare