It is best, indeed it is
necessary, to begin with the tariff. I will urge nothing upon you now at
the opening of your session which can obscure that first object or
divert our energies from that clearly defined duty. At a later time I
may take the liberty of calling your attention to reforms which should
press close upon the heels of the tariff changes, if not accompany them,
of which the chief is the reform of our banking and currency laws; but
just now I refrain. For the present, I put these matters on one side and
think only of this one thing--of the changes in our fiscal system which
may best serve to open once more the free channels of prosperity to a
great people whom we would serve to the utmost and throughout both rank
and file.
I thank you for your courtesy.
[B] It had been the practice of our Presidents to send their Messages to
Congress and not to read them in person.
ADDRESS ON THE BANKING SYSTEM
[Delivered at a joint session of the two Houses of Congress, June 23,
1913.]
MR. SPEAKER, MR. PRESIDENT, GENTLEMEN OF THE CONGRESS:
It is under the compulsion of what seems to me a clear and imperative
duty that I have a second time this session sought the privilege of
addressing you in person.
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