The evening times., 1899-05-15
THE PEOPLE ovER-EDucArED..
Mr.. Huatingt0n Thinks Questions of
Caste Arc Looming In.

Mr.. Hr.tinston Thinks Questions Of
Caste Are Looming Up.
San Francisco, May 15.-Collis P. Hunt
ington's tenth annual banquet to officials
of the Southern and CAtral Pacific Rail-
way Companies took place Saturday night
at the Huntington residence, this city. In
his speech Mr.. Huntington declared that
the cause of much of the distress in this
country was the over-education Of the
masses. Said he:
Il regret one tendency in our country.
almost heresy to say it. but do not mind
taking responsibility. I refer to the in
crease CT higher education for the masses.
THE Anglo-Saxon has easily outstrip-
ped all his Competitors in those things
which make for the commercial growth
and success Of nations. because he has been
above all other things practical. While
preparation for professional life requires
advanced knowledge. it seems to me that
the vast majority Of our young people
spend too many OF their vigorous years Of
youth inside schcOi-rocms and not enough
in the practical work OF life.
The years from fifteen to twentyone
are immensely valuable. for they are years
of keen observation, individuality and con-
fidence. In many cases, quite too many.
they are spent in examining the mind with
knowledge that is not likely to help a
young man in the work he is best fitted
to.
''Howsmany young men with college ed
ucations are standing about waiting for
something that will never come because
the work that lies nearest at hand is not
to their liking? Somehow OF ether our
schools teach young people how to talk.
but do notsteach them how to live. Peo-
pie need little. but want much.
Sons of farmers are forsaking the fields
because the cities are more attractive to
them. Slowly. but surely. there is grow
ing Up stronger wall Of caste. with good.
honest labor one one side and frivilous
gentility on the other. We seem to be fast
outgrOwing those things which. when our
fathers lived. were called sterling quail
ties, but now are called fo,lies. or work
that gentlemen should not do. as though
all honest work was not honorable work.
THE young man OF today has a field of
action before him that is simply bewilder-
Ing. In San Francisco We stand opposite
the open door of the Orient. with all the
vast possibilities of trade and commerce
should be any more afraid OF the China
man than the people of other countries
are and they will welcome him as fac
tor in their development.
1.-The outcome in the Philippines. SO far
as control OF them by the United States Is
concerned, is not doubtful. When We have
once established peace there the next
question will be how to maintain 1t. Fill
pinos have shown US that they do not lack
independence of spirit and courage.
These are qualities which make good CT l.
zenship ina republic Other qualities can
be cultivated. and. II the present gsner-
alton should not prove susceptible to such
education.f the next one may.
1T viii be OFT duty to give TO the FIJI
pinos fair representation with respect TO
the establishment of a government on
those islands. In the meantime. having
ourselves obtained through the exigency
of circumstances a foothold in the O.ient.
the American Republic must lave a voice
among the great nations which are sett ing
the future OF China. l believe We can, if
we viii. prevent the dsintegration of that
magnificent old empire. ! believe ii to be
in the interest of the world that the un ty
of that empire be maintained. | believe
her preservation and safety will dspend
upon her commercial renovation. swinging
her doors wide open TO the commerce OF
the world. equal rights TO all. In such a
policy We should be her ally.
We want China 10 give TO US and to all
commercial privileges which obtain in
successful nations. and We Ought to give
to her in return what is due her under the
Golden Rule