The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-04

morals.
American wage workers work with their
heads as we'll as their hands. More
over, they take keen pride in what
they are doing; so that, independent of
the reward, they wish to turn out per-
feet job This is the great secret of our
success in competition with the labor of
foreign Countries
The Labor Problem.
The most vital problem with which this
country, and for that natter the whole
civilized world, has to deal, is the prob
lem which has for one SHE the better
ment of social conditions, moral and
physical, in large cities, and for another
side the effort to deal with that tangle
Of far-reeching questions which we group
together when we speak of labor. The
chief factor in the SUCCESS Of each man-
wage-Worker farmer, and capitalist alike
must ever be the sum total of his own
Individual qualities and abilities Second
only to this comes the power of acting in
combination or association with others.
very great good has been and VII lie ac-
complshed by associations or unions of
Wage-WorkerS, when managed with The
Iorethought, and when they combine in
sistence upon their own rights with law
abiding respect for the rights Of Others.
The display of these qualities in such
bodies is a duty 20 the Nation no less
than to the associations themselves.
Finally, there must also in many rases
be action by the Government in order
to safeguard the rights and interests of
all. Under our Constitution there is
much more scope for such action by the
State and the municipality than by the
Nation. But on points such as these
touched on above the Nl9ional Govern
ment can act.
When all Is said Gnl done the rule of
brotherhood remains as the inlispensa BILE
prerequisite to success in the kind of ma
tional life for which we strive Eacf man
must work for himself, and unless he
SO works no outside help c;tn avail him;
but each man must l'emeinbsr also that
that he is indeed his brothers keeper,
and that while no man who refuses to
walk can be carried with advantage TO
himself or anyone else, yet that each at
times stumbles or halts, that each al
times needs to have the helping hcud
outstretched to him. To be permanently
effective, aid must always take the form
OF helping man to help himself and
we can all best help ourselves by
joining together IN the work that l.; of
common interest 10 all.
Our present immigration laws are en-
satisfactory. We need every honest AMI
efficient immigrant fitted to become an
American citizen. every Immigrant II no
comes here to stay, who brings here a
strong body, stout heart, good mead,
and resolute purpose to do his duty well
in every way and to bring up his children
as aw-abiding and God fearing memte rs
OF the community. Put there should re
comprehensive law enacted with the ob-
Ject OF working Il th"eefold improve
ment over our present system First,
we should aim ~ exclude absolutely not
only all persons VINO are XII own 10 lie
believers in anarchistic PRINCIPLES or
members of anarchistic societies, but also
persons who are of low moral tendency
or of unsavory reputation. This means
that we should require more thorough
system of inspection abroad ana a mort
rigid system of examination at cur i'm
migration ports, the former being IS
pecially necessary.
The second object of proper mmlg.a-
ton law ought to be 10 secure by a
careful and not merely periunctory e,u-
cational test some Intelligent caiao;ty
to appreciate American institutions and act
sanely as American citizens. This would
not keep out all anarchists for many OF
them belong to the int sli.sent Criminal
class. But it would do what is also in
point, that is, tend to decrease the sum
of ignorance, so potent in producing the
envy, suspicion malignant passion, and
hatred of order. out of which ana ,cnstic
sentiment inevitably springs. Finally, all
persons should be excluded who are be-
low certain standard of economic fitness
to enter our industrial field as COMPETE
tors with American labor. The1e should
be proper proof of personal capacity TO
earn an American living and enough
money to insure a decent start undd'
American conditions. This would stop
the influx OF cheap labor, and the result
ing competition which gives rise to so
much of bitterness in American indus
trial life and it would dry mp the springs
of the pestilential social conditions in
our great cities, where anarchistic organi-
cations have their greatest possibility of
growth.
Both the educational and econorn:c
tests in wise immigration law should
be designed to protect and elevate the
general body polite and social a very
close supervision should be exercised over
the steamship companies which mainly
bring over the immigrants, and they
should be held to strict accountability
for any infraction of the law
Tho ToriiF oud ao;rroo;tx,