The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-03

mmeoiately. Inc uimculty was one
which involved not only the interests
Of American labor. but also the Whole
policy Of our government, the duty OF
nations and h brotherhood of man.
When the bill for excluding the Chin
csc was passed the question was
dropped for q while, as the danger was
averted for the time being. but this
law didn't settle the difficulty. and the
people understood that there was be-
fore them another great social problem
which must be solved in the next few
years. In to the passage OF this bill
the policy of our government had al
WAYS been to admit, even to welcome.
all who came, subject only to our laws
OF peace and health.
The nations of Europe. or most OF
them. have passed through the success
sive stages of government unui they
have become republican in fact, II not
in form, and have given the minds OF
their people room to expand and the
ambitious man a chance to rise. As is
inevitable under such circumstances. II
Is the ignorant people. the poor moItais
who have been passed by their reiiow-
men in the advancement OF the race.
who have been crowded out and forced
10 seek homes i'm new localities. For
this reason IL is these people who MI
the steerage 81 nearly every vessel ar
irving from Europe. Coming. as they
do, from the most populous parts OF
Europe, they know little or nothing OF
the pursuits of our western country, ana
therefore add themselves to the ever
increasing population of our great east
ern cities. Here. unable to procure suit
able employment. many of them go TO
All up those dark spots OH the face of
our fair country. the tenement districts.
-
I'VE have within our country our pub
lie schools, our churches. our newspa-
pers, our formerly excellent labor sys-
tenn with wages providing pleasant
homes. an enterprising people. the very
air Of liberty. all working like n vast
machine fec by the countries of Europe.
and slowly turning out the finished pro-
duct, the Intelligent American citizen.
But in this M chine the capacity Is linn
tied, while the supply of raw material
is almost i~nexhaustible. and we find by
careful observation that our machine is
being overfed. Material is piling up on
every side in such quantities that ac-
ton is impeded, the quality of work
lowered and it is molly a matter of time
at the present rate till our machine Will
be choksd up and, stopped altogether.
What W.. need to-day Is to limit the
supply to the capacity and to increase
the capacity from time to time until
greater quantities can be accommodate
ed. If the capacity could be at once en-
larged till we could reform every fallen
individual on the face Of the earth, i
would say let them come. But this
Is beyond the power Of the present gen.
Grafton. II Is a remedy that cannot
now be applied. To accomplish it means,
among other things, that every child
within our country, without any excep-
lions whatever. must be educated by the
state, and educated to its fullest de-
gree. 1 mean that criminals must
not simply be imprisoned. as a punish
ment for their crimes. and then again
turned loose when hat punishment Il
deemed sufficient, but that their con-
finement must be a means OF reforma-
ton as well. They must be educated
morally and mentally until they are nc
longer criminals. but have been lifted
from their fallen position to the place
of men. Could this be done to-day? Yet
every day that our gates are left oper
for all makes the time when such thing:
will be possible one day farther off.
"Our asslmilating powers cannot al
once be increased. We must adopt q pol
icy for our legislation that will lessen the
flow of immigration until IL Is and car
always be made to be within the scope
of our Americanizing influences. Ever
then. II the elevating force which our in
stitutions are now e~xpending upon thc
un~fortunates from other countries were
turned again upon our own people. whc
can doubt that much of crime and misery
would be removed from our shores and
that our republic would be purified and
uplifted to such a degree. that she would
stand as a beacon light before the world
Who shall say that by her example in lift
ing up her lower classes she may no
teach other nations to do the same. and
thu have a wider influence for the uplift
ing of humanity. while she herself would
become what our best dreams would hav'
her."
Then. addressing the audience. Mr.. Bur
ton said:
Friends and citizens. we come before
you this evening as graduates from you
High school. and we hope the exercises %
the hour nave both pleased and Interested
you, and that they have reflected credi
upon you as supporters of this pubii
school. We trust that you may feel par
TALLY repaid for the time and money yol
have expended for our progress. and W
can but thank you. as many others hav'
done. for the labor and patience you hav'
used in our behalf"
To the trustees Mr.. Burton said:
Gentlemen OF the board of trustees
we would especially thank you. since ii |
through you that We have received tn
aid of the many teachers by whom "
have been guided from one grade TO an
other. until tonight We have reached tina
step where we pass from years of pleas
ure and contentment INTO life I'm reality
We nave been encouraged and stimulate
by the kindly interest you have Away
taken in our exercises and by the man,
helps you have given Us which have aid
ed us so much In our study"
To the teachers he paid tribute as fol
lows:
"As for you, our present teachers. W
cannot ftly express our gratitude for TN
numberless ways i'm which you have aide
us in our struggle for knowledge and 70
the pleasant and profitable school roor
acquaintance which has existed betwee
us. We can heartily assure you that W
appreciate the labor and patience yo
have had with us, and though the Il
that bound US as teachers and pupils
to-day severed. may the stronger tie q
friendship remain forever unbrcken. Ma
your good works be as heartily appreci
ated hereafter as by the class OF rs.
".Schoolmates. during our four years o
intimacy as fellow Students. YOU have bf