The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-26
ANNUAL DINNER OF
HIGH SCHOOL GRADS

youths should receive some education,
or possibly that they should be un-
educated to a degree. We have one
such with us tonight" said Judge Kelly
in introducing Edward b. Sturges, who
was to respond to the toast "Educa-
tional Influences"
"Some men," continued Judge Kelly,
"enter politics for spoils, some for the
legitimate emoluments, some for honor,
some for both the latter. Mr.. Sturges
has entered politics for the best pur-
poses, with the noblest motive--to
purify and keep clean the administra-
tion of justice"
The cheers that greeted Mr. Sturges
must indeed have been gratifying to
him, even with all the gratifying eX-
periences he has had of late.
Mr.. Sturges made an extremely
thoughtful address, teeming with sage
advice.
II am an unfinished man and you
are unfinished young men and young
women he went on to say. 1--WE are
continually undergoing a process of
moulding. Each of us is helping to
mould the other. Association is edu-
cation.
Seek the best possible companion
ship. The worst thing in this world
is unsuitable or unsafe companions.
Many man carries all through life
some sad cross as a result of bad COM
panionship. We all know of the effect
of a bad apple in barrel of good
apples. The apples that come in con-
tact with the bad one may not be
made wholly rotten, but in ninety-nine
cases in a hundred there will be a
rotten speck for the careful housewife
to cut away. Choose companions who
will help keep you true and pure.
ELF-SACRIFICI THE ONLY TRUE
LIFE.
BE altruistic. True life is not a sell
fish life. Existing for self is a narrow
existence. True education is that which
teaches us that we are not to live SOLE
ly for ourselves. The only true life Is
| the life in which there is self-sacri-
| flee.
The education that does not include
| in it the knowledge and belief that
all that is inspiring, enobling, controll-
| ing emanates from a higher power, Is
! almost a failure as is the life strug-
| gle of any man who does not accept
| the existence of a higher power. Evils
are so many, temptations so numerous,
and the tendency to let things drift
| on while we take our ease, that unless
there is the abiding belief that one
with God makes a majority, there can
not be a great success. Infdels never
were a success. Man standing alone
cannot succeed.
"A reference was made to my going
into politics, and that l did not seek
Office for the spols. That is true. I
| do not want spoils. I want to purify
an office that has been spoiled. Go
into politics, young men. Don't say
that you will be pitched and defiled
thereby and consequently will not par
| ticipate III politics. Go in and help
purify them. Go in and battle cor
the right Stand alone rather than
| stand wrong.
"A few months ago half a dozen
men got together and resolved to purl-
fly the moral atmosphere of this city
They had a feeling of hopelessness and
despair, but they persevered, others
gathered with them in the fight, and
| today they feel that there has been
a decided change for the better. They
are no longer hopeless or despairing.
| go into politics, young men, and
|
! wives, do not discourage your hus-
bands from entering politics. 1t is as
much your duty to participate in poll
tics as it is to help support your
family. The country is crying for men,
The whole United States called for
| Roosevelt.
HE was called because he was
brave, fearless, honest man. If l was
assured that every young man within
my hearing would go into politics with
honest, unselfish motives, would as
sure you that Scranton would be a
model city"
Another enthusiastic burst of ap-
plause greeted Mr.. Sturges as he took
| his seat.
WELCOME TO THE CLASS OF 1900
John M. McCourt, news editor of the
Sunday News. was assigned to extend