Newspaper Page Text
The Jones News,
VOL. X.
Washington, Dec. 7.—The president's
message has been transmitted to con¬
gress. Its principal features are ns fol¬
lows:
The country Is to be congratulated
on the amount of substantial achieve¬
ment which has marked the past year
loth as regards our foreign nnd ns re¬
tards our domestic policy.
With a nation as with a man the
most Important things are those of the
household, and therefore the country
Is especially to be congratulated on
what lias been accomplished in the di¬
rection of providing for the exercise of
supervision over the great corporations
and combinations of corporations en¬
gaged lu interstate commerce. 'The
congress lias created the department
of commerce and lutxir, Including the
bureau of corporations, with for the
first time authority to secure proper
publicity of such proceedings of these'
great corporations as the public has
the right to know. It lias provided for
tiie expediting of suits for the enforce¬
ment of the federal antitrust law, and
by another law It has secured equal
treatment to all producers in the trans¬
portation of their goods, thus taking
a long stride forward ln making effec¬
tive the work of the Interstate com¬
merce commission.
The preliminary work of the bureau
of corporations in the department of
labor has shown the wisdom of its cre¬
ation. Publicity lu corporate affairs
will top-’ to do away with Ignorance
and >- ., afford facts upon which intel-
He ,,t action may be' taken. Systemat¬
ic, intelligent investigation Is already
developing facts tbe knowledge of
which is essential to a right under¬
standing of the needs and duties of
tiie business world. The corporation
which Is honestly nnd fairly organ¬
ized, whose managers in the couduct
of Us business recognize their obliga¬
tion to deal squarely with their stock¬
holders, their competitors and the pub¬
lic, has nothing to fear from such su¬
pervision. The purpose of this bureau
is not to embarrass or assail legitimate
business, but to aid in bringing about
a better industrial condition—a condi¬
tion under which there shall be obedl-
ence to law and recognition of public
obligation by all corporations, great or
small. The department of commerce
and labor will be not only the clearing
house for information regarding the
business transactions of the nation, but
the executive arm of the government
to aid In strengthening our domestic
and foreign markets, in perfecting our
transportation facilities, in building up
our merchant marine, In preventing the
entrance of undesirable immigrants, in
improvlng commercial and industrial
conditions nnd in bringing together ou
common ground those necessary part-
ner3 In industrial progress—capita) and
labor.
Capital and Labor.
I The consistent policy of the national
government, so far as it has the power,
Is to hold in check the unscrupulous
iman, whether employer or employee, but
to refuse to weaken individual Initla-
tlve or to hamper or cramp the Indus-
'■trial development of the country. We
jreccfenize that this is an era of federa¬
tion and combination, in which great
apitalistic corporations and labor un-
ms have become factors of tremendous
’importance in all industrial centers.
'reaching, Hearty recognition is given the far
beneficent work which has
been accomplished through both cor-
Jporations and unions, and the line as
;botween different corporations, as be¬
tween /between different unions, Is drawn as it
Is different individuals—that
ihf lej ing it is to drawn treat both on conduct, organized the capital effort
V id organized labor alike, asking notli-
i ig save that the interest of each shall
>e brought into harmony with the in-
.erest of tbe genera! public and that
the conduct of cacli shall conform to
the fundamental rules of Obedience to
law, of individual freedom and of jus¬
tice and fair dealing toward all. When¬
ever either corporation, labor union or
individual disregards the law or acts
'in a spirit of arbitrary and tyrannous
interference with the rights of others,
Iwhether corporations or individuals,
,then where the federal government has
^jurisdiction it will see to it that the
misconduct is stopped, paying not the
'slightest of corporation, heed to the the position union or the power in¬
the or
dividual, but only to one vital fact—
that is, the question whether or not
|the conduct individuals of the individual is in accordance or aggre¬
gate of
iWith 'must the law of the lnpd. Every man
be guaranteed his liberty and his
! right to do as he likes with his prop¬
erty or his labor so long as he does
not Infringe the rights of others.
,Government [ Receipt* and Expend-
Itare*.
1 From all sources, exclusive of the
postal service the receipts of the gov-
eminent for the la6t fiscal year aggre-
gated $500,398,074. The expenditures
for the same period were $500,099,007,
the surplus for tbe fiscal year being
$54,297,667. The Indications are that
the surplus for the present fiscal year
Wifi be y?ry small, if indeed there be
’surplus. From July to November
tbe receipts "from customs were, ap-
proximately, $9,000,000 less than the
receipts from the same source for a
corresponding portion last year. Should
this decrease continue ait the same ra-
tio throughout the fiscal year the sur-
pius would be reduced by, approxi-
rnately, $30,000,000. Should the rev-
euue from customs suffer much fur-
ther decrease during the fiscal year the
surplus would vanish. A large sur-
pj us j 9 certainly undesirable. Two
years ago the war taxes were taken
off with the express intention of
equalizing the governmental receipts
and expenditures, and, though the
first yegr thereafter still showed a
surplus, It now seems likely that o
substantial equality of revenue and
expenditure will be attained. Such be¬
ing the case, It is of great moment both
to exercise care and economy lu ap¬
propriations and to scan sharply any
change ln our fiscal revenue system
which may reduce our Income. The
need of strict economy In our expend¬
itures Is emphasized by tlio fact that
we cannot afford to be parsimonious In
providing for what Is essentia) to our
national well being.
Need* of Financial Situation.
The integrity of our currency ts be¬
yond question, and under present con¬
ditions It would be unwise and unnec¬
essary to attempt a reconstruction of
our entire monetary system. The same
liberty should be granted the secretary
of the treasury to deposit customs re¬
ceipts as is granted him ln the depos-
it of receipts from other sources, In
my message of Dec. 2. 1902, I ended
attention to certain needs of the finan¬
cial situation, nnd I again ask for
consideration of the congress for these
questions.
[The president commends the work
of the international monetary confer
ence and advises Its continuance.]
A majority of our people desire that
steps be taken In the Interests of
American shipping, so that we may
once more resume our former position
in the ocean carrying trade. But hith¬
erto the differences, of opinion as to
the proper method preaching this end
have been so wide that it has proved
Impossible to secure the adoption of
any particular scheme. Haviug In
view these facts, I recommend that the
congress direct the secretary of tbe
navy, the postmaster general and the
secretary of commerce and labor, asso¬
ciated with such a representation from
the senate and house of representatives
ns the congress In its wisdom may des¬
ignate, to serve as a commission for the
purpose of investigating nnd reporting
to the congress at its next session what
legislation is desirable or necessary for
the development of the American mer¬
chant marine and American commerce
nnd Incidentally of a national ocean
mail service of adequate auxiliary na¬
val cruisers and naval reserves. While
such a measure is desirable Sn any
event, It is especially desirable at tills
time, In view of the fact that our pres¬
ent governmental contract for ocean
mail with the American line will expire
lu * 1905. The establishment of
new
lines of car S° 8ht P s to SoutI > America,
to Asia and elsewhere would be much
in the interest of our commercial ex-
pansiou.
Inimierration.
We cannot have too much Immigra¬
tion of the right kind, nnd we should
have none at all of the wrong kind.
The need is to devise some system by
which undesirable Immigrants shall be
kept out entirely, while desirable im-
migrants are properly distributed
throughout tbe country. At present
some districts which need immigrants
have none, and in others, where tbe
population is already cougested, immi¬
grants come in such numbers as to de-
press tbe conditions of life for those ai-
ready there. During the last two years
the immigration service at New York
has been greatly improved nnd tbe cor-
ruption and inefficiency which former-
ly obtained there have been eradicated,
This service has just been Investigated
by a committee of New York citizens
of high standing, Messrs. Arthur v.
Briesen, Lee IC. Fra like), Eugene A.
Philbin, Thomas W. Hynes and Ralph
Trautmau. Their report deals with the
whole situation at length and concludes
with certain recommendations for ad-
ministrative and legislative action. It
is now receiving the attention of the
secretary of commerce and labor.
NRtnrallzation Franila.
The special Investigation of the sub¬
ject of naturalization under the direc¬
tion of tiie attorney general and the
consequent prosecutions reveal a condi¬
tion of affairs calling for the iramedi-
ate attention of the congress. For-
gerieg and perjuries of shameless and
flagrant character have been perpe-
trated not only in the dense centers of
population, hut throughout the country,
and it is established beyond doubt that
very many so called citizens of tbe
United States have no title whatever
to that right and are asserting and en-
joying tbe benefits of the same through
the grossest frauds. It is never to be
forgotten that citizenship is, to quote
the words recently used by the su-
preme court of the United States, an
“inestimable heritage," whether it pro-
ceeds from birth within the country
or is obtained by naturalization, and
we poison the sources of our national
character and strength at the fountain
if the privilege is claimed and oxer-
eised without right and by means of
fraud and corruption.
The federal grand jury lately in ses-
sion in New York city dealt with this
subject and made a presentment which
states the situation briefly and forcibly
f, nd containS |“ por ta “ t ^B^stions for
the consWera,ion of , the congress. This
P resentment ls included as an appendix
t0 tbe re P ort of tho attorney general.
Public hand and po.tai Fraud..
In my last annual message, ln con-
neettou with the subject of the due
regulation of combinations of capital
which are or may become injurious to
the public, I recommended a special ap-
propriation for the better enforcement
of the antitrust law as it now stands,
to be expended under the direction of
the attorney general. Accordingly (by
the legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation act of Feb. 25, 1903, 32
Stat., 854, 904), the congress appro-
printed for the purpose ot enforcing the
various federal trust nnd interstate
commerce laws the sum of $500,000, to
he expended under the direction of the
attorney general in the employment of
special counsel and ngents In the de-
partment of justice to couduct proceed-
lags nnd prosecutions under said laws
in the courts of the United States. I
now recommend, as a matter of tho ut-
GKAY. JONES CO.GA.. THURSDAY. DECEMBER 10 , 190.1
»io*t Importance nml urgency, the ex-
tension of the purposes of this appro-
prlatton so that It may ho available,
under the direction of the attorney
general and until used for the due on-
forcemeat of the laws of the United
States In general and especially of the
civil and criminal laws relating to pub-
11c lands and the laws relating to postal
crimes nnd offenses nnd the subject of
naturalization. Recent investigations
have shown a deplorable state of of-
fairs ln these three matters of vital
concern. By various frauds nnd by
forgeries nnd perjuries thousands of
acres of the public domain, embracing
lands of different character nnd ex
tending through various sections of the
country, have been dishonestly ncquir-
ed. It is hardly necessary to urge the
Importance of recovering these dlsbon-
acquisitions, stolen from tiie people.
nnd of promptly and duly punishing
the offenders.
Tbrough frauds, forgeries and per-
Juries and by shameless briberies the
laws relating to the proper conduct of
the public service in general nnd to tbe
due administration of the postoffice
department have been notoriously vio-
lnted - and indictments have been
found, and tbe consequent-prosecutions
nre in course of hearing or on the eve
thereof. For the reasons thus indlcat-
S
with the greatest effect the due pen¬
alties for such violations of law, and
to this end may be furnished with suffi¬
cient instrumentalities and competent
legal assistance for tiie Investigations
nnd trials which will be necessary at
many different points of the country, I
urge upon tbe congress the necessity
of ranking the said appropriation avail¬
able for Immediate use for all such
purposes, to be expended under tbe di¬
rection of the attorney general.
Need For Treaties Making Bribery
Extraditable.
Steps have been taken by the state
department looking to the making of
bribery an extraditable offense with
foreign powers. The need of more ef¬
fective treaties covering this crime is
manifest. The exposures and prosecu¬
tions of official corruption in St. Louis,
Mo., and other eitles and states have
resulted in a number of givers and tak¬
ers of bribes becoming fugitives ln for¬
eign lands. Bribery has not been In¬
cluded in extradition treaties hereto¬
fore, ns tbe necessity for it has not
arisen. While there may have been
ns much official corruption in former
years, there has bean more developed
and brought to light tn the Immediate
past thnn in the preceding century of
our country’s history. It should be tlio
policy of the United States to leave no
place on earth where a corrupt man
fleeing from this country can rest in
peace.
Alaskan Boundary.
After unavailing attempts to reach an
understanding on the Alaskan bound¬
ary question through n joint high'Com¬
mission, followed by prolonged negotia¬
tions, conducted in nn amicable spirit,
< convention between the United States
and Great Britain wns signed Jan. 24,
1903, providing for an examination of
the subject by a mixed tribunal of six
members, three on a side, with a view
to its final disposition. Ratifications
were exchanged on March 3 last,
whereupon the two governments ap¬
pointed their respective members.
Those on behalf of the United States
were Ellhu Root, secretary of war;
Henry Cabot Lodge, a senator of the
United States, and George Turner, ail
ex-senator of the United States, while
Great Britain named the Right lion.
Lord Alverstone, lord chief justice ot
England; Sir Louis Amable .Tette, K.
C. M. G., retired judge of the supremo
court of Quebec, and A. B. Aylesworth,
K. C., of Toronto. This tribunal met
in London on Sept. 3 under the presi¬
dency of Lord Alverstone. On the 20tli
of October a majority of the tribunal
reached and signed on agreement on
all the questions submitted by the
terms of the convention. By this
award the right of the Untied States
to the control of a continuous strip or
border of the mainland shore, skirting
all the tidewater inlets and sinuosities
of the coast, is confirmed; tiie entrance
to Portland canal, concerning which
legitimate doubt appeared, is defined
as passing by Tongass inlet and to the
northwestward of Wales and Pcarse
islands; a line Is drawn from the head
of Portland canal to tbe fifty-sixth de-
gree of nortli latitude, and the interior
border line of the strip is fixed by lines
connecting certain mountain summits
lying between Portland canal and
Mount St. Elias and running along the
crest of the divide separating the coast
slope from the inland watershed at the
only part of tbe frontier where the
drainage ridge approaches the coast
within the distance of ten marine
leagues, stipulated by tbe treaty as the
extreme width of the strip around tbe
heads of Lynn canal and its branches,
While the line so traced follows the
provisional demarcation of 1878 at the
crossing of the Stiklne river and that
of 1899 at the summits of tbe White
and Chilkoot passes, It runs much far-
ther inland from the Klehinl than tbe
temporary line of the later modus vi-
vendl and leaves the entire mining
district of the Porcupine river and Gla-
tier creek within tbe jurisdiction of the
United States.
[The president here recapitulates the
details of the imbroglio between Euro-
I >ean P° wers al *d Venezuela and the
referenee (jf certain points of the con-
troversy to The Hague tribunal
through the influence of the United
States. This he calls a victory for
American diplomacy and a triumph for
international arbitration. He advo-
c ’ ates an extension of international law
t0 p::em Id ail private property at sea
^ rom < ’ n Pturc of destruction by forces
of belligerent powers.]
luternationni Arbitration.
Last year the interparliamentary uu
ion for international arbitration met
at Vienna, 000 members of the differ
ent legislatures of civilized countries
attending. It was provided that the
next meeting should he in 1904 at St.
l-ouls, subject to our congress extend-
log an Invitation. Uke The Hague
tribunal, this Interparliamentary union
1» one of the forces tending toward
peace among the nations of the earth,
nn d it ls entitled to our support. 1
trust the invitation enn be extended.
Early in July, having recoiled Intel-
Hgencc, which happily turned out to bo
erroneous, of the assassination of our
'’l 00 consul at Beirut, 1 dispatched n
•mall squadron to that port for such
service ns might be found necessary ou
arrival. Although the attempt on the
life of ou r vice consul had not been
successful, yet the outrage was symp-
tomatic of a state of excitement and
disorder which demanded Immediate
attention. The arrival of the \ossels
had the happiest result. A feeling of
security nt once took the place of the
former n,arnl and disquiet. Our offl-
ccrs 7 ere °° r(lla "J !*' el
consular , body and tbe lending mer-
chants, and ordinary business resumed
JJ S^^sentatio^a jjj 1 ^ ministerfthe .ring to
j of our
regarded ns respo.isi-
the (51 sturbed condition of nf-
" removed. Our relations with
T government remain Triernl-
*• A»«W«
treatment of some of our schools , , and ,
missions appear to bo in process of
amicable adjustment.
Rclntlonai With Chinn.
The signing of a new commercial
treaty with Clitnn, which took place at
Slinnghal on the Sth of October, is a
cause for satisfaction. This act, the
result of long discussion nnd negotia-
tion, places our commercial relations
With the great oriental empire on a
more satisfactory footing than they
have ever heretofore enjoyed. It pro
vide# not only for the ordinal^* rights
nnd privileges of diplomatic Anil con¬
sular officers, hut also for an important
extension of our commerce by increas¬
ed facility of access to Chinese ports
and for the relief of trade by the re-
moral of some of the obstacles which
have embarrassed It ln the past.
I trust that the congress will con¬
tinue to favor in all proper ways the
Louisiana Purchase exposition. This
exposition commemorates the Louisi¬
ana purchase, which was the first great
step ln the expansion which made us a
continental nation. The expedition of
Lewis and Clark across the continent
followed thereon nnd marked tiie be-
ginning of the process of exploru ion
nnd colonization which thrust our un¬
tional boundaries to tbe Pacific.
The acquisition of the Oregon
try, including the present states tlf
Oregon nnd Washington, was a fact of
immense importance in our history,
first giving us our place on the Pacific
seaboaru and making ready the way
for our nscendeney in tiie comnierco
of the greatest of the oceans, iliccen-
tcnnial of our establishment upon the
western coast by the expedition of
Lewis nnd Clark Is to he celebrated nt
Portland, Ore., by an exposition in the
summer of 1905, and this event should
receive recognition nnd support from
P ie national goiernmeut.
Developnicni ot Alaska.
I call your special attention to the
territory of Alaskn. The country is
developing rapidly, nnd it has an as¬
sured future. The mineral wealth is
great and has as yet hardly been tap¬
ped. The fisheries, If wisely handled
nnd kept under national control, will
be u business ns permanent as any oth¬
er and of (he utmost importance to the
people. The forests, if properly guard¬
ed, will form another great source of
wealth. Portions of Alaska are fitted
for farming nnd stock raising, although
the methods must bo adapted to the
peculiar conditions of the country.
Proper land laws should be enacted
and the survey of the public lands im¬
mediately begun. Coal land luws
should be provided whereby the coal
land entryman may make his loeatiou
and secure patent under methods kin¬
dred to those now proscribed for home¬
stead and mineral entrynien. Salmon
hatcheries, exclusively under govern¬
ment control, should be established.
The cable should be extended from
Sitka westward. Wagon roads and
trails should be built and the building
of railroads promoted ln all legitimate
ways. Lighthouses should be built
along the coast. Attention should be
paid to the needs of the Alaska In¬
dians. Provision should be made for
an officer with deputies to study their
and help tS St themsiwes 7oZ
new conditions
I r recommend that nn nn appropriation
be made for building lighthouses in
Hawaii and taking possession of those
already built. The territory should be
reimbursed for whatever amounts It
has already expended for lighthouses.
The governor should be empowered to
suspend or remove any official appoint¬
ed hy lilm, without submitting the
matter to the legislature.
The Philippine, and Porio Rico,
of our Insular possessions, the Philip-
pines and Porto Rico, It is gratifying
to say that their steady progress has
been such as to make It unnecessary
to spend much time in discussing them.
Yet the congress should ever keep In
mind that a peculiar obligation rests
upon us to further ln every way the
welfare of these communities. The
Philippines should be knit closer to us
by tariff arrangements. It would, of
course, be Impossible suddenly to raise
the people of the islands to the high
pitch of industrial prosperity and of
governmental efficiency to which they
will ln the end by degrees attain, nnd
the cautiou and moderation shown ii^
developing them have been among the
main Reasons why this development
l, ng hitherto gone ou so smoothly,
Scrupulous care has been taken In the
choice of governmental agents nnd the
entire elimination of partisan politics
from the public service. Tbe condition
>f the Islanders Is In material things
.'or better than ever before, while their
{overnmental, Intellectual and moral
tdvntlce tins kept pace with their inn-
tertat advance. No one people ever
oenellted another people more than we
have benefited the littilpfnos hy taking
possession of the islands.
Preservation of rarest*.
The work of reclamation of the arid
lands of the west is progressing steadily
nm ] satisfactorily under the terms of
() 1( , |., w setting aside the proceeds
from the disposal of public lands.
The study of the opportunities of
reclamation of the vast extent of arid
i !ln j g p 0W8 that whether this rcctumn-
jioT1 [ s done py individuals, corpora-
f| 0ns or the state, (lie sources of water
supply must be effectively protected
nIH | n, 0 reservoirs guarded by the pres-
cr vation of the forests at the head-
enters of the streams. The necessity
t . or perpetuating our forest resources,
w |ietlier in public or private bauds, U
recognized now as never before. It Is
recommended that all matters pertain-
j ng to reserves, except those ln-
C0U80,ldfl,Cd volv,, 1 , f 1 ° t r J? f ,B n Ul !! ,ln ° « burPau ,0 ’""V'/reiitrv ° f
of the department of agriculture.
The cotton growing states have re¬
cently been Invaded by a weevil that
has done much damage and threatens
(lie entire cotton Industry. I suggest
to the congress the prompt enactment
pf gudl rempdla , ]e8 islatlou ns Its jmlg-
went may approve.
No other class of our citizens de¬
serves so well of the nation ns those
to whom the nation owes Its very be-
Ing, tlio veterans of the civil war. Spe-
rial attention is asked to tbe excellent
work of the pension bureau In cxpedlt-
lng nml disposing of pension claims,
During the fiscal year ending .Inly 1,
1903, the bureau settled 251,982 claims,
an average of 825 claims for each
working day of the year. The number
of settlements since July 1, 1903, lias
been In excess of last year’s average,
approaching 1,000 claims for cacli
working day, and It is believed that
the work of the bureau will be current
at tbe close of tiie present fiscal year,
ExlrnNton of Civil Service Rnl<-«.
During the year ended June 30 last
25,500 persons were appointed through
competitlve examinations under tbe
civil service rules, Tills wns 12,072
more thnn during the preceding year
nnd 40 per cent of those who passed
the examinations. Thls abnormal
growth was largely occasioned by tiie
extension of classification to tlio rural
free delivery service nnd the appoint-
m( . nt i nst yrnv over 9,000 rural car-
riers. A revision of (he civil service
rules took effect on April 15 last, which
lmB greatly improved their operation,
The comi ,| ptlon 0 f tlio reform of the
pjvii service is recognized by good elti-
7(ms eV ervwhere as a matter of the
i li#r i le st public importance, and the sue-
cess of tbe merit system largely depends
U p on tm. effectiveness of the rules and
d 10 machir.ory provided for their cn-
forcement. A very gratifying spirit of .
frlendly co-operation exists in all the
departments of the government in the
enforcement and uniform observance
of both the letter and spirit of the civil
service net.
Tlio Army and Nary.
The effect of the laws providing a
general staff for the army nnd for the
more effective use of the national guard
has been excellent. Great improve-
inent has been made in (lie efficiency
of our army ln recent years. Such
schools ns those erected nt Fort Louv-
enworth and Fort Itiley nnd the insti¬
tution of fall maneuver work accom¬
plish satisfactory results. The good of-
fect of these maneuvers upon the na¬
tional guard Is marked, and ample ap¬
propriation should lie made to enable
the guardsmen of the several states lo
share in the benefit. The government
should ns soon as possible secure suit¬
able permanent camp sites for military
maneuvers in the vurious sections of
the country.
I heartiiy congratulate the congress
upon the steady progress in building
up the American navy. We cannot
afford a let-up ln this great work. To
stand still means to go hack. There
should be no cessation In adding (o the
effective units of the fighting strength
of the fleet. Meanwhile the navy de¬
partment and the officers of the navy
are dolng well their part by providing
constant service at sea under condi-
tlons akin to those of actual warfare.
Our officers nnd enlisted men are learn-
lng to handle the battleships, cruisers
and torpedo boats with high efficiency
fn fleet aml gqu;l(jron foi . matJon9i and
"/ c “/ >^smaushlp Is being
atoadlly raised. Tin? best woik nslioro
JiidJspensable, but the highest duty
cf a nava j officer is to exercise com-
nialH i ,,t sea. It Is eminently desirable
‘^Lthod „ Imv .,t General stuff should lie
ta
Intlimian mInn rannI Canal.
By the act of June 28, 1902, the con-
gross authorized the president to enter
Into treaty with Colombia for the
building of the canal across the lstli-
mus of Panama, It being provided that
ln the event of failure to secure such
treaty after the lapse of a reasonable
time recourse should tie had to build-
Ing a canal through Nicaragua. It has
not been necessary to consider tlilw a I-
ternative, as 1 tun enabled to lay be-
fore the senate a treaty providing for
the blinding of the canal across the
Isthmus of Panama. This was the
route which commended Itself to
deliberate judgment of the congsess,
nnd we can now acquire by treaty the
right to construct tlio canal over this
route. The question now, therefore. Is
not by which route the isthmian canal
shall be built, for that question has
been definitely and Irrevocably decld
ed. The question Is simply whether or
not we shall have nn isthmian canal.
When the congress directed that we
should take the Panama route under
treaty with Colombia the essence of
the condition, of course, referred not
to the government which controlled
that route, but to the route Itself; to tlje
trrl -it 0 ry across which tlm route lay,
10t t0 tlle lmB , e which for the inoroent
tll0 territory bore on the map. The
)oso ot the law was to authorize
the president to make it treaty with the
|HMV ,, r ln no tunl control of the Isthmus
pf p nnama This purpose has been
.
fulfilled.
For 400 years, ever since shortly after
the discovery of this hemisphere, the
canal across the isthimu lia* been
planned. For twoscore years It 1ms
been worked at. When made It Is to
Inst for the ages. It Is to niter the
geography of a continent and the trade
routes of the world. We have shown
by every treaty we have negotiated or
attempted to negotiate with the peo-
pies in control of the Isthmus and with
foreign nntidns lu vetnivice thereto our
consistent good faith In observing our
obligations, on the one hand to the peo-
pies of the Isthmus \ftirld, and on the oilier
hand to the civilized whose eom-
merrlal rights we are safeguarding and
guaranteeing by our action. Wo have
done ottr duty to others In letter nnd ln
spirit, and we have shown the utmost
forbparaaco In exacting our own rights
Ilppmlinflon of Treaty l»y Colombia.
Last spring n treaty-concluded -be¬
tween the representatives of the re-
public of Colombia and of our govern-
inent wns ratified by the senate. This
treaty was entered into nt the urgent
solicitation of (he people of Colombia
and after a body of experts appointed
by our government especially (o go into
the matter of the routes across tbe
Isthmus had pronounced unanimously
lu favor of the Panama route. In draw¬
ing up this treaty every concession was
made to the people and to the govern¬
ment of Colombia. We were more
than Just in dealing with them. Our
generosity was such ns to make it n
serious question whether we lmd not
gone too far in their Interest at the ex-
pense of our own, for In our scrupulous
desire to pay all possible heed not
merely to the real but even to the
fancied rights of our weaker neighbor,
who already owed so much to our pro-
lection nnd forbearance, we yielded ln
all possible ways to her desires in
drawing up the treaty. Nevertheless
(| 1P government of Colombia not mere-
jy repudiated the treaty, but repudl-
a <ed It In such manner as to make It
evident by tbe time tbe Colombian con¬
gress adjourned that not the scantiest
pope remained of ever getting n satls-
factory treaty from them.
Revolution la I'annina.
The people of Panama had long been
discontented with the republic of Co¬
lombia, and they had been kept quiet
only by the prospect of the conclusion
of the-enrml treaty, which was to them
a matter of vital concern. When it be¬
came evident that the treaty was hope¬
lessly lost the people of Panama roso
literally ns one man. Not a shot was
fired by n single man on tbe isthmus
In the interest of the Colombian gov¬
ernment. Not a life was lost in the
accomplishment of the revolution. 'The
(j 0 j 0U) p] au troops stationed on the Isth-
ulUHj lv ho imd long been unpaid, made
colmuo!1 cause with astonishing the people of Pan-
nin0i n nd U 'lth unanimity
jp,, new republic was started. The
rinty of (lie United States ln the prem-
Ises was clenr. In strict accordance
with the principles laid down by Sec-
rotaries Cass and Seward, tbe United
States gave notice that It would per-
lult the landing of no expeditionary
force, the arrival of which would mean
chaos and destruction along the line of
the railroad and of the proposed canal
and nil interruption of transit as an
Inevitable consequence. The do facto
government of Panama was reeog-
nlzed.
Under such circumstances the gov-
eminent of the United States would
have been guilty of folly and weak-
ness, amounting In tholrsum to a crime
against the nation, had It acted other¬
wise thnn it did when the revolution of
Nov. 3 last look place In Panama. This
great enterprise of building tho inter-
oceanic canal cannot be held up to
gratify the whims or out of respect to
the governmental impotence or to tho
even inoro sinister and evil political
peculiarities of people who, though
they dwell afar off, yet, against the
wish of the actual dwellers on tho istb-
mus, assert nn unreal supremacy over
the territory. 'I he possession of a ter-
rllory fraught with such peculiar ca-
parities as the Isthmus ln question car-
ri ( ' H with it obligations to mankind.
The course of events has shown that
this canal cannot be built by private
enterprise or by any other nation than
our own; therefore it must be built by
the Untied States,
n<*w Treaty with I'aunmn.
Every effort ba» been made by the
government of the United States to per-
KUa ,i c Colombia to follow a rourse
J 'T ,, , ? , , * . Z
In world, “Tf ^ but VI to the ? h V\ Interests , T of Oolom- , ,
bin Itself. These efforts have failed,
and Colombia, hy her persistence In rc-
pulsing the advances that have been
made, has forced us for the sake of
our own honor nml of the Interest and
well being, not merely of our own peo-
pie, hut of the people of the isthmus of
panama nnd the people of tlio civilized
countries of the world, to take decisive
steps to bring to an end a condition of
nffairs which had become Intolerable.
The new republic of Panama Immedl-
ately offered to negotiate a treaty with
ns. 'This treaty I herewith submit.
By it our interests are better safeguard-
e d than In the treaty with Colombia
which was ratified by the senate nt its
j as t session. It is better in its terms
fi m n tbe treaties offered to us by the
republics of Nicaragua and Costa Uica.
At last the right to begin this great
undertaking Is made available. Pan¬
ama lias done her part. All H,t*. re¬
mains is for the American congress to
d o its part, nnd forthwith this republic
will enter upon the execution of a
project colossal in Its size nnd of well
n | K i, incalculable possibilities for the
g00( i 0 r this country and the nations of
mankind.
NO. 3 .
MUST BE RENEWED
Presidential Nominations are
Side-Tracked by House,
STATUS IS COMPLICATED
No Hiatus Occurred Between Closing
of Extra and Beginning of Regu¬
lar Session of the Fifty-
Eighth Congress.
By the manner of adjourning tha
house Saturday the extra session of
the fifty-eighth congress expired by
constitutional limitation Monday, when
the regular session began. 'This eliml-
nated the possibility of a recess be¬
tween the two sessions and opportun¬
ity for the president to review his civil
and military recess appointments.
Such of these as were not confirmed
by the senate during the extra session
must be reviewed simply in the form
of nominations, which, tn effect, are
but recommendations and do not be¬
come effective in any case until con¬
firmed by the senate.
In effect this action will demnote
General Leonard Wood from his pres¬
ent rank of major general, to which the
senate has not confirmed him, to tire
rank of brigadier general, which he
held prior to August 8 last. It also
will demote, ln like manner, 167 army
officers who wore promoted respec¬
tively to fill the vacancies caused by
Ihe promotion of General Wood.
The important civil appointments af¬
fected Include, William D. Crum as col¬
lector of customs at Charleston, 9. C.;
Charles P. McClelland as a member of
tho board of general appraisers of
merchandise at New York^ and L. V.
McAllister, of Vicksburg, Miss., as re¬
ceiver of public moneys, all of whom
are serving under recess appointments,
tlio effect being to vacate their present
positions.
As Collector Crum’s recess appoint¬
ment has thus been terminated and
the situation In the senate has been
such that his confirmation is despaired
of, the collactorshlp of the port of
Charleston will remain vacant until
the expiration of the regular session of
congress unless the president selects
some one else for this place and the
nomination is confirmed by the senate.
While no official representation was
made hy the senate to the house, sev¬
eral informal conferences were held
between th eluding republican senators
and Speaker Cannon. In these con¬
ferences the speaker stated that tho
house had no constitutional authority
over executive appointments or con¬
firmations and that if tho creation of a
recess wns necessary To take care of
such matters, the senate should bavo
taken care of the action looking to
adjournment, of the special session by
concurrent resolution. In tho absence
of such a movement, tho speaker sllid
he would not Interfere in any way in
tho expiration of the extra session by
constitutional limitation, all the nomi¬
nations, Including army, navy and civil
appointments made by President
Roosevelt during the extra session and
which have not been confirmed by
the senate will have to be renewed
at. the regular session.
At the war department (lie officials
are not quite so clear in their minds as
to the exact status of the military of¬
ficers whose nominafons failed of con¬
firmation. There Is a disposition to
take the point, of view that between
(he expiration of the extra session and
the beginning of the regular session
there was necessarily an appreciable,
hut practically Infinitely small period
of time where there was no session,
and consequently congress was tech¬
nically ln recess.
COTTON FIRE IN OPELIKA.
Warehouse Destroyed and Eight Hun¬
dred Bales Reduced to Ashes.
The Merchants' and Planters' ware¬
house, one of the largest In Opelika,
Ala., was destroyed by fire Sunday
night.
Over 800 bales of cotton, the ware¬
house and a $3,500 fire engine belong¬
ing to the city were lost.
EWEN DEFIES THE FEUDISTS.
Witness Against White and Jett Now
Walks Streets Unguarded.
Captain B. J. Ewen, principal wit¬
ness againsf White and Jett in Breath¬
itt county, Ky., assassination case*, is
boldiv walking the streets of Jackson
unguarded.
His appearance on the streets Im¬
mediately after all the soldiers were
recalled has occasioned surprise. He
has been closely guarded by a large
body of soldiers and on numerable oc¬
casions expressed the belief that he
would be assassinated if he ever re¬
turned to Jackson.
WROTE TO WHITE WOMAN,
Colored Employe of Pension Office
Gets Himself Into Trouble.
William Ferguson, a negro clerk In
the census office at Washington, who
is put down as hailing from Alabama,
has been suspended by the director of
tho census pending the investigation
of the charge that he wrote an entirely
too friendly letter to a white lady
clerk serving In tiie office jvitl} him.