The Edmond Sun (Edmond, Okla. Terr.), Vol. 17, No. 22, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 6, 1905 Page: 3 of 11
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PRESIDENT OUTLINES
ISSUES OF THE DAY
Important Recommendations as to Legislation Made
in Annual Message to Congress—Large Part of
Document Devoted to Corporations and Railroad
Rate Legislation—Relations of Labor and Capital
Dealt With Fully.
/
The message of President Roose-
velt, read at the first session of the
Fifty-ninth Congress, congratulates
the people on the continued prosper-
ity of the nation. The close relation-
ship and mutual dependence upon
each other of capital and labor are
pointed out, and the message con-
tinues:
Corporations.
Tot, while not merely admitting, but In-
sisting upon this, it is also true that
where there Is no governmental restraint
or supervision some of the exceptional
men use their energies not in ways that
are for the common good, but In ways
which tell against this common good.
The fortunes amussed through corporate
organization are now so large ana vest
such power in those that wield them, as
to make it a matter of necessity to give
to the sovereign—that is, to the Govern-
ment, which represents the people as a
whole—some effective power of supervis-
ion over their corporate use. In order to
insure a healthy social and Industrial life,
every big corporation should be held re-
sponsible by, and be accountable to, some
sovereign strong enough to control its
conduct. I am in no sense hostile to cor-
porations. This is an ago of combination,
and any effort to prevent all combina-
tion will be not only useless, but In the
end vicious, because of the contempt for
law which the failure to enforce law in-
evitably produces. We should, moreover,
recognize in cordial and ample fashion the
Immense good effected by corporate
•agencies in a country such as ours, and
the wealth of Intellect, energy, and fidel-
ity devoted to their service .and there-
fore normally to the service of the public,
by their officers and directors. The cor-
poration has come to stay, just as the
trade union has come to stay. Each can
<lo and has done great good. Each should
be favored so long as It does good. But
each should be sharply checked where it
acts against law and Justice.
The President shovrs the impossi-
bility of the individual states deal-
ing successfully with corporation
greed, and the necessity of conferring
power upon the general government
even to the extent of a proper amend-
ment to the constitution. He says:
It has been a misfortune that the
national laws on this subject have hither-
to been of a negative or prohibitive rather
than an affirmative kind, and still more
that they have in part sought to pro-
hibit what could not be effectively pro-
hibited. and have in part in their pro-
hibitions confounded what should be
■allowed and what should not be allowed.
It is generally useless to try to prohibit
■all restraint on competition, whether this
restraint be reasonable or unreasonable:
and where It is not useless it Is
generally hurtful. Events have shown
that It Is not possible adequately to
secure the enforcement of any law or this
kind by incessant appeal to the courts.
The Department of Justice has for the
last four years devoted more attention
to the enforcement of the anti-trust legis-
lation than to anything else. Much has
"been accomplished; particularly marked
has been the moral effect of the prosecu-
tions; but it is increasingly evident that
there will be a very insufficient beneficial
result lr. the way of economic change.
The successful prosecution of one device
to evade the law immediately develops
another device to accomplish the same
purpose. What is needed is not sweeping
prohibition of every arrangement, good or
bad, which may tend to restrict competi-
tion, but such adequate supervision and
regulation as will prevent any restriction
of competition from being to the detri-
ment of the public—as well as such
supervision and regulation as will pre-
vent other abuses In no way connected
"with restriction of competition
The first consideration to be kept in
mind Is that the power should be affirm-
ative and should be given to some ad-
ministrative body created by the Congress.
If given to the present Interstate Com-
merce commission or to a reorganized
Interstate Commerce commission, such
commission should be made unequivocally
administrative. I do not believe in the
government interfering with private busi-
ness more than is necessary. 1 do not
believe in the government undertaking
any work which can with propriety be
left in private hands. Hut neither do I
believe In the government flinching from
overseeing any work when it becomes
evident that abuses are sure to obtain
therein unless there is governmental
supervision. It is not my province to
indicate the exact terms of the law which
should be enacted; but I call the attention
of the Congress to certain existing con-
ditions with which it Is desirable to deal.
In my judgment the most important pio-
vision which such law should contain
Is mat conferring upon some competent
admlnisti ative body the power to decide,
upon the case being brought before it.
whether a given rate prescribed by a rail-
road is reasonable and just, and if it Is
found to be unreasonable and unjust,
then, after full Investigation of the com-
plaint, to prescribe the limit of rate
beyond which it shall not be lawful to go
—the maximum reasonable rate, as it is
commonly called—this decision to go into
effect within a reasonable time and to
obtain from thence onward, subject to
review by the courts. It sometimes hap-
J)ens at present, not that a rate is too
ligh but that a favored shipper is given
too low a rate. In such case the commis-
sion would have the right to fix this
already established minimum rate as
the maximum and it would need
only one or two such decisions
by the commission to cure railroad com-
panies of the practice of giving Improper
minimum rates. I call your attention to
the fact that my proposal is not to give
the commission power to Initiate or
originate rates generally, but to regulate
a rate already fixed or originated by the
roads, upon complaint and after Investi-
gation. A heavy penalty should he ex-
acted from any corporation which fails
to respect an order of the commission. 1
regard this power to establish a maximum
rate as being essential to any scheme of
real reform In the matter of railway
regulation. The first necessity Is to se-
cure if ; and unless It Is granted to the
commission there Is little use in touch-
ing the subject a1 all.
Continuing, the President earnestly
disclaims any spirit of hostility to
the railroads, pointing out the bene-
fits to be derived by the fair-dealing
roads in the even-handed administra-
tion of justice. In this both the hon-
est railroad man and the honest ship-
per alike would be benefited. Ending
the subject, the President says:
The question of transportation lies at
the root of all industrial success, and the
resolution in transportation wnich has
taken place during the last half century
has been the most important factor in the
growth of the new industrial conditions.
Most emphatically we do not wish to see
the man of great talents refused the re-
ward for his talent?. Still less do we wish
to see him penalised; but we do desire to
see the system of railroad transportation
so handled that the strong man shall be
given no advantage over the weak mart.
We wish to Insure as fair treatment for
the small town as for the big city, for the
small shipper as for the big shipper. In
the old days the highway of commerce,
whether by water or by a road on land,
was open to all; it belonged to the public
and the traffic along it was free. At
present the railway Is this highway, and
we must do our best te see that It Is kept
open to all on equal terms. Unlike the
old highway it is a very difficult and
complex thing to manage, and It is far
better that It should be managed by
private Individuals than by the govern-
ment. But it can only be so managed on
condition that justice is done the public
It Is because, in my judgment, public
ownership of railroads Is highly undesir-
able and would probably in this country
intall far-reaching disaster, that I wish
to see such supervision and regulation
of them in the Interest of the public as
will make It evident that there Is no need
for public ownership. The opponents of
government regulation dwell upon the
difficulties to be encountered and the
intricate and Involved nature of the prob-
lem. Their contention Is true. It Is a
complicated and delicate problem, and all
kinds of difficulties are sure to arise in
connection with any plan of solution,
while no plan will bring all the benefits
hoped for by Its more optimistic adher-
ents. Moreover, under any healthy plan,
the benelit8 will develop gradually and not.
rapidly. Finally, wo must clearly under-
stand that the public servants who are
to do this peculiarly responsible and
delicate work must themselves be of the
highest type both as regards integrity and
efficiency. They must be well paid, for
otherwise able men can not in the long
run be secured; and thev must possess
a lofty probity which will revolt as quick-
ly at the thought of pandering to any
gust of popular prejudice against rich
men as the thought of anything even
remotely resembling subserviency to rich
men. But while I fully admit the diffi-
culties in the way, I do not for a moment
admit that these difficulties warrant us
in stopping in our effort to secure a wise
and just system. They should have no
other effect than to spur us on to the
exercise of the resolution, the even-hand-
ed justice, and the fertility of resource,
which we like to think of as typically
American, and which will in the end
achieve good results In this as In other
fields of activity
The necessity for safety appliances
on railroads, recommended in the
President's message to the last Con-
gress, is emphasized, together with
the necessity for a law regulating the
hours of labor of railroad men.
On the labor question, the mes-
sage says:
There has been demand for depriving
courts of the power to issue injunctions
In labor disputes. Such special limitation
of the equity powers of our courts would
be most unwise. It is true that some
Judges have misused this power; but this
does not justify a denial of the power
any more than an improper exercise of
the power to call a strike by a labor
leader would justify the denial of the right
to strike. The remedy Is to regulate the
procedure by requiring the judge to give
due notice to the adverse parties before
granting the writ, the hearing to be ex
parte if the adverse party does not ap-
pear at the time and place ordered.
What Is due notice must depend upon the
facts of the case; it should not be used
as a pretext to permit violation of law,
or the jeopardizing of life or property.
Of course, this would not authorize the
issuing of a restraining order or injunc-
tion in any case in which it is not already
authorized by existing law.
In any great labor disturbance not only
are employer and employe Interested, but
also a third party—the general public.
Every considerable labor difficulty in
which Interstate commerce is Involved
j should be Investigated by the government
and the facts officially reported tu the
public.
The question of securing a healthy, self-
respecting, and mutually sympathetic at-
titude as between employer and employe,
capitalist and wage-worker. Is a difficult
one. All phases of the labor problem
prove difficult when approached. But the
underlying principles, the root principles,
In accordance with which the problem
must be solved are entirely simple. We
can get Justice and right dealing only If
We must face accomplished facts, and the
principle of treating a man on his worth
as a man rather than with reference to
his social position, his occupation, or the
class to which he belongs. There are
selfish and brutal men in all ranks of life.
If they are capitalists their selfishness
and brutality may take the form of hard
Indifference to suffering, greedy disregard
of every moral restraint which interferes
with the accumulation of wealth, and
cold-blooded exploitation of the weak; or,
if they are laborers, the form of laziness,
of sullen envy of the more fortunate, and
of willingness to perform deeds of mur-
derous violence. Such conduct Is just
as reprehensible In one case as in the
other, and all honest and farseelng men
should join in warring against it wherever
it becomes manifest. Individual capital-
ist and Individual wage-worker, corpora-
tion and union, are alike entitled to the
protection of the law, and must alike
obey the law. Moreover, in addition to
mere obedience to the law. each man.
if he be a really good citizen, must show
broad sympathy for his neighbor and
genuine desire to look at any question
arising between them from the standpoint
of that neighbor no less than from his
own; and to this end It is essential that
capitalist and wage-worker should con-
sult freely one with the other, should each
strive to bring closer the day when both
shall realize that they are properly part-
ners and not enemies. To approach the
questions which inevitably arise between
them solely from the standpoint which
treats each side in the mass as the en-
emy of the other side in the mass is both
wicked and foolish. In the past the most
direful among the Influences which have
brought about the downfall of republics
has ever been the growth of the class
spirit, the growth of the spirit which
tends to make a man subordinate the wel-
fare of the public as a whole to the wel-
fare of the particular class to which he
belongs. This inevitably brings about a
tendancy to treat each man not on his
merits as an individual, but on his posi-
tion as belonging to a certain class in
the community if such n spirit glows up
in this Republic it will ultimately prove
fatal to us. as In the past It has proved
fatal to every community In which it has
become dominant. Unless we con-
tinue to Keep a quick and lively
sense of the great fundamental
truth that our concern is with the individual
worth of the individual man, this govern-
ment cannot pcrniaueutly hold the place
which It has achieved among the nations The
vital lines of cleavage among our people do
not correspond, and indeed run at right an-
gles to, the liues of cleavage which divide
occupation from occupation, which divide
wage-workers from capitalists, farmers from
bankers, men of small means from men of
large means, men who live in the towns from
nen who live in the country; for the vital
line of cleavage is the line which divides the
honest man who tries to do well by his
neighbor from the dishonest man who does ill
by his neighbor. In other words, the stand-
. ard we shou'.J establish is the standard
of conduct, not the standard of occupation,
of- means or of social position. It is the
man's moral quality, his attitude toward the
great questions which concern all humanity,
his cleanliness of life, his power to do bis
duty toward himself and toward others, which
reaily count; and If we substitute for the
standard of personal Judgment which treats
each man according to his merits, another
standard In accordance with which all men
o. one class are favored and all men of an-
other class discriminated against, we shall do
irreparable damage to the body politic. 1 be-
lieve that our people are too sane, too self-
respecting. too flt fer self-government, ever
to adopt such an attitude. This government
is not and never shall be government by a
plutocracy. This government is not and
never shall be government bv a mob. It
shall continue to be in the future what It
lias been in the past, a government based on
the theory that earh man. rich or poor, is to
bo treated simply and solely on his worth as
a man. that r.U bis personal and property
rights are to be safeguarded and that he is
n. iiher to wrong others nor to suffer wrong
from others.
Insurance.
The great Insurance companies afford strlk-
In - examples of corporations whose business
Kas extended so ;ar beyond the Jurisdiction of
the states which created them as to pre-
clude strict enforcement of supervision and
regulation by the parent States In my last
annual message I recommended "that tha
Congress carefully consider whether the pow-
er of the Dureau of Corporations cannot con-
stitutionally be extended to cover interstate
transactions In Insurance." Recent events
have emphasized the importance of an early
anexhaustive consideration of this ques-
tion. to see whether it is not possible to fur-
nish better safeguards than the several
states have been able to furnish against cor-
ruption of the flagrant kind which has been
exposed. •
The Revenues.
Touching the question of tariff and
revenue ,the views of the President are
as follows:
There Is more need of stability than of
the attempt to attain an Ideal perfection In
the methods of raising revenue; and the
shock and strain to the business world cer-
tain to attend any serious change In these
methods render such change Inadvisable un-
less for grave reason. It is not possible to
lay down any general rule by which to de-
t> rmlne the moment when the reasons for
will outweigh the reasons against such a
cuange. Much must depend, not merely on
the needs, but on the desires, of the people
as a whole; for needs and desires are not nec-
essarily Identical. Of course no change can I
be made on lines beneficial to, or desired
by, one section of one state only. There must
be something like n general agreement among
the citizens of the several states, as repre-
sented in the Congress, that the change Is
needed and desired In the Interest of the
people as a whole; and there should then be
a sincere, Intelligent, and disinterested effort
to make it in such shape as will combine, so
far as possible, the maximum of good to tho
peoplo at large with the minimum of neces-
sary disregard for the special Interests of
localities or classes. Dut In time of peace
the revenue must on tho average, taking
a series of years together, equal the expendi-
tures or else the revenues must be Increased.
Last year there was a deficit. Unless our ex-
penditures can bo kept within the revenues
then our revenue laws must be readjusted.
It Is as yet too early to attempt to outline
what shape such a readjustment should take,
for it is as yet too early to say whether
there will be need for It. It should be con-
sidered whether It Is not desirable that the
tariff laws should provide for applying as
against or in favor of any other nation maxi-
mum and minimum tariff rates established by
the Congress, so as to secure a certain reci-
procity of treatment between other nations
and ourselves. Having In view even larger
considerations of policy than those of a
purely economic nature. It would, In my
judgment, be well to endeavor to bring about
close:- commercial ronncetlons with the other
people of this continent. 1 am happy to be
able to announce to you that Russia now
treats us on the most-favered-natlon basis.
Economy in Expenditures.
The necessity for economy and a
rigid scrutiny of appropriations is
made manifest, with this proviso:
Yet, In speaking of economy, I must In no
wise be understood as advocating the false
economy which is in the end the worst ex-
travagance. To cut down on the navy, for
instance, would be a crime against the na-
tion. To fall to push forward all work on
t'. a Panama canal would be as great a folly.
Currency.
The currency Question is dealt with
as follows:
Every consideration of prudence demands
the addition of the element of elasticity to
our currency system. The evil does not con-
sist In an adequate volume of money, but In
the rigidity of this volume, which does not
respond as It should to the varying needs of
communities and of seasons. Inflation must
be avoided; but somo provision should be
made that will Insure a larger volume of
money during the fall and winter months
than In tho less active seasons of the year;
so that the currency will contract against
speculation, and will expand for tho needs
of legitimate business. At present the Treas-
ury department Is at Irregularly recurring in-
tervals obliged, in the Interest of tho busi-
ness world—that Is, in tho interests of the
American public—to try to avert financial
crises by providing a remedy which should
be provided by Congressional action. -
Federal Elections.
On the subject of federal elections,
the President says:
"The power of the government to protect
tho Integrity of the elections of its own of-
ficials Is Inherent and has been recognized
and affirmed by repeated declarations of the
Supreme court. There is no enemy of free
government more dangerous and none so In-
sidious as the corruption of the electorate.
No one defends or excuses corruption, and
It would seem to follow that none would op-
pose vigorous measures to eradicate It. I
recommend the enactment of a law directed
against bribery and corruption in federal
elections. The details of such a law may be
safely left to the wise discretion of the Con-
gress, but it should go as far as under tho
constitution It is possible to go/ and should
include severe penalties against him who
gives or receives a bribe Intended to Influ-
ence his act or opinion as an elector; and
provisions for the publication not only of
the expenditures for nominations and elec-
tions of all candidates, but also of all con-
tributions received and expenditures made by
political committees."
I desire to repeat this recommendation. In
political campaigns in a country as large
and populous as ours It Is Inevitable that
there should be much expense of an entirely
legitimate kind. This, of course, means that
many contributions, and some of them of
large size, must be made, and, as a matter
of fact, In any big political contest such con-
tribution* are always made to both sides. It
is entirely proper both to give and receive
them, unless there is an improper motive
connected with either gift or reception. If
they are extorted by any kind of pressure
or promise, express or implied, direct or in-
direct, In the way of favor or immunity, then
the giving or receiving becomes not only im-
proper but criminal. It will undoubtedly be
difficult as a matter of practical detail to
shape an act which shall guard with reason-
able certainty against such misconduct; but
If It Is possible to securo by law tho full and
verified publication in detail of all the sums
contributed to and expended by the candi-
dates or committees of any political parties
the result cannot but be wholesome. All con-
tributions by corporations to anv political
committee or for any political purpose should
bo forbidden by law; directors should not
be permitted to use stockholders' money for
such purposes; and. moreover, h prohibition
of this kind would be. as far as it went, an
effective method of stopping the evils aimed
at in corrupt practices acts. Not only should
both the national and the several state legis-
latures forbid any officer of a corporation
from using the money of the corporation in
or about any election, but they should also
forbid such use of money in connections with
any legislation save by the employment of
counsel in public manner for distinctly legal
services.
Army and Navy.
The President insists upon the ne-
cessity for a well trained body of sol
diers as a nucleus for an army in
time 'of trouble, and that maneuvers
of a practical kind should be under-
taken to adapt the forces to actual
conditions of warfare. An increase in
the artillery force so that the coast
fortifications can be adequately man-
ned is also recommended, with lib-
eral appropriations for the building
and bringing to a state of perfection
of the United States navy.
Naturalization Laws.
Of our present naturalization laws,
the message says:
During the past year evidence has accu-
mulated to confirm the expressions con-
tained in my last two annual messages as
to the importance of revising by appropriate
legislation our system of naturalizing aliens.
1 appointed last March a commission to make
a careful examination of our naturalizing
laws, and to suggest appropriate measures
to avoid the notorious abuses resulting from
the improvident or unlawful granting of cit-
izenship. This commission, composed of an
officer of the Department of State, of the
Department of Justice, and of the Depart-
ment of Commerro and Labor, has dis-
charged the duty Imposed upon It, and has
submitted a report, which will be transmitted
to the Congress for Its consideration, and, I
hope, for its favorable action.
The distinguishing recommendations of the
commission are:
First. A federal bureau of naturalization,
to be established In tho Department of Com-
merce and Labor, to supervise tho adminis-
tration of the naturalization laws and to re-
ceive returns of naturalizations pending and
accomplished.
Second. Uniformity of naturalization cer-
tificates, fees to be charged and procedure.
Third. More exacting qualifications for cit-
izenship
Fourth. The preliminary declaration of In-
tention to bo abolished and no allen to be
naturalized until at least ninety days after
the filing of his petltlou.
Fifth Jurisdiction to naturalize aliens
to be confined to United States district courts
and to such State courts as have jurisdiction
in civil actions In which the amount in con-
troversy is unlimited; In cities of over 100,-
000 inhabitants the United States district
courts to have exclusive jurisdiction id the
naturalization of the alien residents of such
citlea.
Merchant Marine.
On the subject of the merchant ma-
rine, the message says:
To the spread of our trade In peace and
the defense of our Hag In war a great aud
pr«?sper" 's merchant marine is Indispensable.
W should have ships or our own and sea-
men of our own to convey our goods to neu-
tral markets, and In case of need to rein-
force our battle line. It cannot but be a
source of regret and uneasiness to us that
the lines of oommunlcatlon with our s'ster
republics of South America should be chief-
ly under foreign control. It is not a good
thing that American merchants and manu-
facturers should have to send their goods
and letters to South America via Europo If
they wish security and dispatch. Even on
tho Pacific, where our ships have held their
own better than on the Atlantic, our mer-
chant flag Is now threatened through the lib-
eral aid bestowed by other governments on
their own steam lines. I ask your earnest
OH1 !• ration of the report With which the
Merchant Marine commission has followed
its long and careful Inquiry.
Praise of the good work of the pen-
sion bureau with an acknowledge-
ment of the debt the country owes
to the veterans of tho Civil war fol-
lows.
Immigration.
Continuing, the message showp
clearly the necessity for checking the
steamship companies in their activity
in promoting the importation of unde-
sirable immigrants, while pointing
out how warmly welcome is the man
of good health and moral character,
who bids fair to add value to (he
community. An Increase In the strin-
gency of the Immigration law Is advo-
cated.
On the subject of Chinese immigra-
tion the message urges the necessity
for courteous treatment of the Chi-
nese students, business nnd profes-
sional men who visit this country,
while asserting unalterable opposition
to the admission of coolies or skilled
or unskilled labor from China.
Civil Service.
Some paragraphs of the message
are devoted to an elucidation of the
workings of the civil service law. The
assertioii is made that the effects of
the law have been excellent.
Pensions for members of the Life
Saving Service are shown to be de-
sirable, and a high compliment is paid j
the members of tho service for their 1
self-sacrificing devotion to duty.
The Philippines.
Despite the series of disasters
which have afflicted the Philippine
Islands since the American occupa-
tion—tho rinderpest, the locusts, and
the drought—conditions are shown to
have steadily improved and tranquil-
ity is now almost universal. The Fil-
ipinos are beginning to realize the
benefits of education, and a school at-
tendance of 70 per cent is the result.
Referring to trade between the islands
and the United States, the message
says:
A statute In force, enacted April 15, 1004.
suspends the operation of the coastwise laws
of the United States upon the trade between
the Philippine islands and the United Stutea
until July 1. 1000. I earnestly recommend that
this suspension be postponed until July 1. 1909.
I think It of doubtful utility to apply the coast-
wise laws to the trade between the United
States and the Philippines under any circum-
stances. because I am convinced that It will
do no good whatever to American hot turn*, and
will only Interfere and be an obstacle to the
trude between the Philippine* and the United
States; but If the coastwise law must be thus
applied, certainly it ought not to have effect
until free trade Is enjoyed between the peo-
ple of the United States unci the people of thf
Philippine Islands In their respective products.
1 do not anticipate t..nt fr« trade betweel
the Islands and the United States will product
a revolution in the sugar and tobacco produc-
tion of the Philippine islands. So primitive
ure the methods of agriculture 111 the Philip
pine Islands, so slow is capital In going to ths
islands, so many dlBlcultlo surround a large
agricultural enterprise in the Islands, that It
will lie uiHiiy. many years before the products
of those Islands will have any effect whatever
upon the markets of the United States. The
problem of labor Is also a formidable one with
the sugar and tobacco producers In the Islands.
The best friends of the Filipino people nnd tho
people themselves are utterly opposed to the
rdmlsslon of Chinese coolie labor. Hence tho
only solution Is the training of Filipino labor,
and this will take a long time. The enactment
of a law by the Congress of the United State!
making provision for free trade between Hie
Islands and the United States, however, will be
of great Importance from a political and senti-
mental standpoint: and while Its actual bene-
fit has doubtless been exaggerated '. y the peo-
ple of the islands, they will accept this meas-
ure of Justice as an indication that the people
of the United States are anxious to aid the peo-
ple of the Philippine Islands In every way.
.infl especially in the agricultural development
of their Archipelago. It will aid the Filpliios
without Injuring Interests in America.
Discussing the needs of Alaska, the
President recommends that the terri-
tory be given an elective delegate
who will be able to speak with au-
thority on the needs of that section
of our country. The message con-
cludes:
Admission to Statehood.
I recommend that Indian Territory nnd Okla-
homa be admitted as one State and that New
Mexico and Arizona be admitted as one State.
There Is no obligation upon us to treat ter-
ritorial subdivisions, which are matters of con-
venience only, as binding us on the question of
admission to statehood. Nothing has tuken up
more time in the Congress dur/lig the past few
yeurs than the question as to the ntatehood to
be granted to the four Territories above men-
tioned. and after careful consideration of oil
ihai has been developed In the dls'-usslous of
the question I recommend that they be im-
mediately admitted as two StatTs. There is
no Justification for further delay; and the ad-
visability of making the four Territories Into
two States has been clearly established.
In some of the Territories the legislative as-
semblies issue licenses lor gambling. The
Congress should by law forbid this practice,
(he harmful results of which are obvious at a
glance.
The Panama Canal.
The treaty between the United States nnd
the Republic of 1'anama. under which the
const met Ion of the Panama <unul was made
poshible. went Into effect with Its ratification
by the United States Senate on Feb. 23. 14^4.
The canal properties of the French Canal Com-
pany were transferred to tho United Stutes ou
April 2'i. 1904. on payment of Jlo.uuo.ooo to
that company. On April I, 11)05. the Ooramis
slon wub reorganized, nnd It now consists of
Theodore P. Shouts, chairman. Charles K. Ma-
goon. Benjamin M. 11 ai rod. Hear-Admiral Mor-
decal T. Endlcott. Brig.-Gen. Peter C. Halns.
and Col. Oswald II. Ernst. John F. Stevens
was appointed chief engineer on July 1 last.
Active work in canal construction, mainly pre-
paratory, has betn in progress for less tliun a
year and u half. During that period two points
about the canal have ceased to he open to de-
bate. First, the <juestlon of route; the canal
will be built ou the isthmus of Panama. Sec-
ond. the cjuestlon of feasibility; there are no
physical obstacles on this route that Amerlci.-i
. ngineering skill w ill not be able to overcome
without serious difficulty, of tbut will prevent
tho completion cif the canal within a reason-
able time and at a reasonable cost. This is
virtually the unanimous testimony of the en-
Kliners who havu investigated the matter for
the government.
What Is needed now and without delay Is an
appropriation by the Congress to meet the cur-
rent and accruing expenses of the commission.
The lirst appropriation of $1U.OOO.OOO, out of
the authorized by the Spootier act,
v. as made three years ago. It is ne arly ex-
hausted. Thero Is barely enough of It remain-
ing to « arry tho commission to tho end of tho
year. Unless the Congress shall npproprhite
before that time all wo. k must cease. To «r-
est progress for any length of time now, when
matters are advancing so satisfactorily, would
he deplorable. There will be no money with
which to meet pay-roll obligations and none
with which to meet bills coming due for ma-
terials and supplies; and there will be demoral
IzMtton of the force*, here and on the Isthmus,
now working no harmoniously and effectively,
if there is delay In granting au emergency ap-
propriation. Estimate* of the amount neces-
sary will he found in the accompanying re-
port* of the Secretary of War and the com-
mission.
TERRITORY NEEDS ATTENTION
Chairman Jenkins Says Judiciary Com-
mittee Will Be Busy
WASHINGTON: Representative Jen-
Kins, of Wisconsin chairman of the
house committee on the Judiciary, is
spending much time around the
capltol and the machinery of legisla-
tion has been oiled up for the winter's
run. Although rather early In the
game for much In the line of predic-
tion, Representative Jenkins says he
expects the judiciary committee will
have some rather busy times during
the coming session.
When congress adjourned last spring
there was considerable important bus-
iness bofore the committee, which re-
mained unfinished and which will un-
doubtedly come up again at the com-
ing session. In this class are a num-
ber of matters for legislation which
concern Indian Territory. Additional
judges are needed there, and there are
many other things that demand atten-
tion. A good deal of much-needed leg-
islation affecting the territory was not
pressed by the judiciary committee at
the last session, owing to the fact that
the statehood bill was before cougress,
with a fair chance of passage. It was
the idea of Chairman Jenkins nnd oth-
er members of the committee to hold
this needed legislation till after the
passage of the statehood bill, when
conditions in the new state could be
adjusted on the basis of the creative
act. The feature of the statehood bill,
however, left the territory without this
legislation, which would have been
pushed forward had the result of the
statehood fight been foreseen.
SENATOR BURTON SENTENCED
Six Months and $2,500 Fine for Aiding
Fraud Company
ST. LOUIS: United States Senator
Joseph Ralph Burton of Kansas, has
been sentenced In tho United States
circuit court to serve six months in
Iron county jail, Ironton, Mo., and to
pay a fine of $2,500 as the penalty for
conviction on the Indictment charging
that he had acted In the capacity of
a paid attorney in behalf of the Rlalto
Grain and Securities company of St.
Louis before the postoffice department
to prevent the issuance of a fraud or-
der. He was released on bond In the
sum of $5,000 with R. C. Kerens as
surety pending an appeal to the su-
preme court. Execution of sentence
was staid pending appeal.
Senator Burton was found guilty on
six counts of the Indictment, four of
which charged that he agreed to re-
ceive compensation for his services as
an attorney before the postofflce de-
partment in behalf of the Rialto com-
pany and two charging that he re-
ceived such compensation.
Judge Van Devanter imposed sen-
tence of Imprisonment on one count
In each of these two divisions, mak-
ing the terms concurrent and !n addi-
tion assessed the fine on but one of
the (wunts. As provided in statute 783
which Senator Burton was convicted of
having violated, Judge Van Devanter
imposed the additional penalty debarr-
ing Senator Burton forever from hold-
ing any office of honor, trust or profit
under the United States government.
The sentence imposed ta the pre-
vious trial and conviction of Senator
Burton before Judge Adams was six
months In the Iron county jail and to
pay a fine of $5,000. On appeal the
verdict was reversed by the United
States supreme court.
OUR GROWTH IN FINANCE
United States Holds Two-Thirds of the
Banking Power of the World
With only a twentieth of the vrorld'o
Inhabitants, the United States has two-
thirds ($14,000,000,000) of the world's
banking power (capital, surplus, de-
posits and circulation). Our j ascen-
dency here has been obtained In the
past two decades. Since 1890 the
world's banking strength has grown
105 per cent, while that of the'Unlted
States has expanded 170 per cent, and
(hat of New York city 200 per cent. Of
the $2,500,000,000 of the weekly aver-
age of the bank clearings of the ninety-
three cities which make reports, New
York contributes two-thirds. New
York city's bank clearings average 2i>
per cent In excess of London's.
And the greater part of this stupen-
dous banking growth In New York city
and the United States In general has
taken place within tho easy recollec-
tion of thousands of persons who, In
their various employments, arc still ac-
tively at work. Contemplating the
vast expansion which has given the
United States a long lead over all
other countries In manufactories and
mining, which has placed American
products In every market on the globe,
which has built up in this country a
railway system which comprises two-
fifths of that of the entire earth, and
which has increased the country's
wealth from $500,000,000 In Washing-
ton's days to $110,000,000,000 In Roose-
velt's, the American banker using the
words of Aeneas, say: "All of this 1
saw, and part of this 1 was."—Leslie ?
Weekly.
Serious Accident to Brakeman
ATOKA: R. J. McKay, an employe
of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas
railway company, had a serious acci-
dent here which may result In the loss
of his right arm. McKay Is a brake-
man on the local and was making a
coupling when he slipped and was
caught between two cars. The arm was
badly mashed, but the doctors express
hopes of being able to save It.
C. F. Daly, passenger traffic mana-
ger of tho New York Central lit .a
west of Buffalo, and Warren Lynch,
general passenger agent of the Big
Four, were called to New York recent-
ly for conference with President New-
man. A plan is said to be on foot to
transfer Mr. Daly to New York as
passenger traffic manager of the New
York Central, to give Mr. Lynch the
Chicago post, to retire George Daniels,
general passenger agent of the New
York Central, and to make H.J. Rheln,
now general passenger agent of the
Lake Erie and Western, general pas-
senger agent of the Big Four. Mr.
Daniels has confirmed the report as to
his retirement. He will be mnde gen-
eral advertising manager of the sys-
tem.
Nickname of Coin
The standard silver coins belns?
used In the Philippines are known as
"Conants," having been named for
Charles A. Conant, who was sent to
the Islands to pre pare a coinage sys-
tem. The authorities in Washington
objected to this nickname and directed
that the coins should be known as
Philippine currency. Before this or-
der arrived they were universally
called "Conants," and notwithstand-
ing the official mandate the name has
.tuck.
NEW TRIAL ASKED
Cures Blood, Skin Troubles, Cancer,
Blood Poison. Greatest Blood
Purifier Free.
If your blood Is impure, thin, dis-
eased. hot or full of humors. If you
have blood poison, cancer, carbuncles,
eating sores, scrofula, eczema, itching,
risings and lumps, Bcabby, pimply
skin, bone pains, catarrh, rheumatism,
or any blood or skin disease, take bo-
tanic Blood Balm (M. B. B.) according
to directions. Soon all sores heal,
aches and pains stop, the blood is
made pure and rich, leaving the skin
free from every eruption, and giving
the rich glow of perfect health to the
skin. At the same time, B. II. B. Im-
proves the digestion, cures dyspepsia,
strengthens weak kidneys. Just the
medicine for old people, as it ^ives
them new, vigorous blood. Druggists,
$1 per large bottle, with directions for
home cure. Sample free and prepaid
by writing Blood Halm Co., Atlanta,
Ga. Describe trouble and special free
' medical advice also sent in sealed let-
ier. B. B. B. Is especially advised for
| chronic, deep-seated cases of impure
blood and skin disease, and cures after
all else fails..
An Atchison woman Is such a spend-
thrift that her friends are surprised
that she has not succeeded in spend-
ing a gold tooth she has in her head.
Phillips Illegal Jury Decision Used As
a Means for Re-hearing
GUTHRIE: William Anderson, who
was convicted at the last term of
| court In Comanche county and sen-
tenced to eight years In the territorial
penitentiary for manslaughter in the
first degree, has appealed his case to
the Oklahoma supreme court and asks
a new trial on the ground that the
grand jury which Indicted him, and
the petit jury which tried him, were
Illegally drawn under the decision of
Judge Phillips of the circuit court of
appeals. Anderson was convicted of
killing W. C. Barnhill, a union soldier
and former resident of Guthrie, who
drew a claim In the Kiowa and Com-
anche country when It was opened to
settlement in 1901. The killing oc-
curred September 23, 1904, and fol-
lowed a quarrel between the two men,
Anderson using a Winchester rifle with
which to shoot Barnhill.
Before going Into a scheme that
seems to promise great returns put
away enough money to pay for a re-
turn ticket.
FROM PLANT TO CIGAR.
The Chickasaw Teachers' association
held a meeting last week.
Abernathy to Give An Exhibition
WICHITA, KAS.: John Abernathy ot
Frederick, Ok., was In this city arrang-
I Ing with local spcrris for a big wolf
chase to be held near here Christmas
day. Mr. Abernathy promises some
good sport with a bunch of wolves,
which he will bring here from the
"B!g" pasture In Oklahoma. Among
other things he says that while on
horseback he will capturc and kill one
of the fiercest wolves with his bare
hinds, using po weapons whatever.
Frank P. Lewis has recently returned
from a trip through the best tobacco sec-
tions, looking over tho growing fields. Ilo
noted tho best crops and engaged them,
and will go later to watch the curing and
! packing of same. He also, while there, cx-
: amlned somo of his large holdings of old to-
bacco anil found this to be growing richer
in quality every day. Tho Lewis Single
Binder factory probably controls more
fancy graded tobacco than any other cigar
factory in the United States Smokers of
Single Binders have evidently learned this
fact which accounts for the ever increas-
ing demand. In spite of tho fact that the
factory sends out no traveling salesman to
, boom its good quality to tho trade, the
' Single Binder Sales reached seven million
1 last year and will exceed eight million in
1 1905. The Single Binder sells itself, r or
twentv-three months this factory has been
behind in its orders.—Herald- Transcript.
The average woman would rather
have a husband who tells her all he
hears than a house with seventeen
closets.
Important to Mothers.
Exnralno carefully every bottle of CASTORIA,
n fafc and euro remedy for infants and children,
and kcc that it
Bears tho
Signature of
In Ueo For Over 30 Years.
Tho Kind You Have Always Bought.
Don't place too mucn confidence In
a man's opinion of himself. The ass
can make as much noise as the lion.
Mrs. Wlnglow'H Soothing Syrnn.
For children toothing, BOftenn tho gums, reduces liv
lUmuiuUon. allays pain, cures wind colic. '25c a Untie.
To a hungry man a head of cabbage
has a sweeter odor tiian a bunch of
violets,
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Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Dailey, A. D. The Edmond Sun (Edmond, Okla. Terr.), Vol. 17, No. 22, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 6, 1905, newspaper, December 6, 1905; Edmond, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc150026/m1/3/: accessed March 19, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.