Whatever criticisms may Col. Roosevelt, his nas President will be distinguished in the history of his country as scouring the right to cut the Panama Canal, an act ax con: stitutional as was that of Jefferson by which the Louisiana—territory was purchased from France, placing within reach of his country all the resulting advantages of that waterway. The faction of his party which caused him to retire from the Chicago Convention, was in the majority, because of the votes of the negro delegates from the South. It is the faction headed by Taft and, although in control of the Government for nearly half a century, has failed to build an adequate navy, or to enact legislation for a merchant marine capable of utilizing the vast opport-ities that are being presented as the canal nears completion. It makes no difference which of the two political parties shapes legi tion of such a character, it does not deserve the support of the American citizen, who thinks more of his country than of his party. It must be admitted that legislation with regard to a merchant marine and the tariff has been grossly neglect: ful, and the political party whose leaders have so long governed the Council of the nation can and should be held responsible.
The future route of the world's commerce will be determined when the Panama Canal is completed. The greatest engineering feat of history will then have been accomplished, and the attention of the Government, whose money has been freely expended to connect the two great oceans of the world, seems less directed to its importance than that of any other nation.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.