The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-12-13
I'M LAWS.
Chinese Exclusion Act Must Be
Malntafned-Other Restrictions.

1t is matter for congratulation that
wages are higher than ever before I'm our
history, and far higher than in any other
country. The standard of living is also
higher than ever before. Every effort
should be to secure ~permanency of this
condition. Not only must our labor be
protected. by the tariff, but it should also
be protected so far as 1t is possible from
the presence in this country of any Ia
borers brought over by contract, or who
represent a standard of living so depressed
that they can undersell our men in the
labor market. I regard 1t as necessary
to re-enact Immediately. the law excluding
Chinese laborers, and to strengthen it.
The national government should demand
the highest quality of service from it's
employees. and in turn 1t should be a good
employer: II possible legislation should
state commerce law, which will render
effective the efforts Of different states to
do away with the competition of convict
contract labor in the open labor market.
So far as practicable under the conditions
of government work, provision should be
made to render the enforcement Of the
eight-hour law easy and certain. In all
industries carried on for the government
women and children should be protected
from excessive hours Of labor, night work
and ~unsanitary conditions. The govern
all work should be done under fair con-
ditions, and in addition to setting a high
standard should uphold it by proper in
spection.
The most vital problem with which the
civilized world h. to'deal is the better
ment of social: conditions in large cities,
that tangle Of. questions which We
group together as Tabor" The chief fac
tor in the success Of each man must be
the sum of his own abilities. Second only
comes the power Of acting in combination
with others. Good has been and will be
accomplished by associations or unions Of
wage workers. when managed with fore
thought and when they combine 1nsistence
upon their own rights with law-abiding
respect for the rights of others. The dis
play of these qualities is a duty to the
nation no less than to the associations
themselves. Finally, there must also in
many cases be action by the government
to Safeguard the interests of all. There
state and municipality than by the ma
ton. But on points such as those touched
on above the national government can act.
Our immigration laws are unsatisfac-
tory. We need every honest and efficient
Immigrant fitted to become an American
solutely all believers in anarchistic prln-
ciples, all Of q low moral tendency or
~unsavory reputation. We should require
a more thorough system of inspection
abroad and a more rigid system Of exam
nation at our immigration ports.
A proper immigration law ought to Sc
cure by education test some intelligent
capacity to appreciate American institu-
tions and act as American citizens. This
would not keep out all anarchists, but 1t
Of which anarchistic sentiment springs.
Finally, all persons should be excluded
who are below a certain standard OF
economic fitness. There should be proper
proof Of personal capacity to earn an
American living and enough money to in
ditions. This would stop the influx Of
cheap labor. ~