And State Papers 651 



for information regarding the business transactions 

 of the Nation but the executive arm of the Govern- 

 ment to aid in strengthening our domestic and for- 

 eign markets, in perfecting our transportation fa- 

 cilities, in building up our merchant marine, in pre- 

 venting the entrance of undesirable immigrants, in 

 improving commercial and industrial conditions, and 

 in bringing together on common ground those neces- 

 sary partners in industrial progress capital and 

 labor. Commerce between the nations is steadily 

 growing in volume, and the tendency of the times is 

 toward closer trade relations. Constant watchful- 

 ness is needed to secure to Americans the chance to 

 participate to the best advantage in foreign trade; 

 and we may confidently expect that the new Depart- 

 ment will justify the expectation of its creators by 

 the exercise of this watchfulness, as well as by the 

 businesslike administration of such laws relating to 

 our internal affairs as are intrusted to its care. 



In enacting the laws above enumerated the Con- 

 gress proceeded on sane and conservative lines. 

 Nothing revolutionary was attempted; but a com- 

 mon-sense and successful effort was made in the 

 direction of seeing that corporations are so handled 

 as to subserve the public good. The legislation was 

 moderate. It was characterized throughout by the 

 idea that we were not attacking corporations, but en- 

 deavoring to provide for doing away with any evil 

 in them; that we drew the line against misconduct, 

 not against wealth; gladly recognizing the great 

 good done by the capitalist who alone, or in con- 



