The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-01

the people is criterion, she will be
no mean factor in the work of solving
the problems which confront the hui
man race.
At the beginning of the year it is the
custom to take a retrospective view
to balance the books and ascertain the
loss or gain.
New York city has accomplished
much. She has added millions to the
value of her real estate; has built more
high buildings than any other city in
the world-an achievement not alto
gether to her credit-has completed
the highest edif1ce on earth, 1t is a 30
story office building; has seen the hum
dreds of miles Of her street railways
improved, the practical and scientific
education of her people advanced and
her financial and Industrial strength
increased. The year 1898 will go INTO
history as the year during which New
York out-stripped London in commerce
and took its place as the foremost
trade center of the world.
This triumph is cause for pride, not
only in New York but throughout the
republic. The great ness of the metrop-
oils is merely one of the many proofs
of the greatness oil the nation. 1t Is
a tribute to no individual or group Of
individuals who stand at the central
point, but to the 7o00o,0O0 of people
who constitute the nations power 1t
is a reminder that this mighty empire,
which has grown to such stupendous
proportions under the flag of freedom,
is but in its infancy that notwith-
standing the splendor of it's past, its
future, under wise government, will be
infinitely more brilliant and inspiring
that it's present greatness is merely the
foundation upon which the superstruc-
ture of government of the people is
to be reared: that there are vast I'M
discovered mines of wealth to be ex-
plored: silent valleys to be peopled
arid wastes to be transformed into gar
dens of agriculture; tremendous water
power to be harnessed and utilized:
gigantic enterprises to be introduced
by the aggressive spirit of the race.
Aye, even more. The New Year sug-
gests other fields than those of COM
merce and trade for the student and
the patriot. Governments cannot ex-
list without politics, and the year 1899
comes with a startling array of politi-
cal problems.
For the present, political lines on the
new issues are jagged, uncertain and
loosely drawn. While some of the lead
ers have taken their stand on the sub
ject of Imperialism, the voters are at
sea. The average man has not digest
ed the subject. He has not reached
a decision. He believes in the glory
of the flag, but he also believes in the
principles which have made the flag
glorious. He says with Mckinley that
the American flag should not be pull
ed down, and then he applauds Bryan
when he reminds the people that Nc
Kinley will be the first to pull it down.
He admits that impulsively he is with
those who favor holding the Philip
pines, but agrees that if the flag is
to be pulled down in Cuba, there GER
tainly can be no patriotic objection
to its being pulled down in the Philip
pines. He may also argue that If men
under the flag in the Philippines can
be denied the constitutional rights OF
American citizens, there is nothing to
prevent denial Of rights in Texas or
Montana or New York.
So the year closes with politics in
the formative state. 1t has been a
year of changes, of crises and of limo