Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-08-13

ping. one-fourth as many exports
about one-tenth as much revenue and
expenditures, and less than one-thir'
teenth al much debt.
Taking everything into ~considera-
ton We produce and consume about
half as much as the rest of the world
combined. Remember, the compari.
son is not with the world, but with all
the rest of the world besides our.
selves.
We are today practically independ.
ent of the rest of the earth. In a few
years we shall raise our own sugar
and fibers. manufacture u own silk,
and, in fact, we shall produce almost
everything used by mankind.
The conclusion Is warranted, then,
that in another generation, il the pres
ent system of protection is continued.
the people of the United States and
territories will equal or surpass in
production. consumption, and wealth
the peoples of the rest of the world
combined.
Education.
Mr.. President. there have been
more scholars in our public and pri-
vate schools and colleges the past
year than ever before in our history.
| mean not only in the aggregate,
but relatively to population. There
was hardly a city in the country
whose school facilities were adequate
last fall to accommodate the scholars
who sought admission. Many of our
private schools have been compelled
to turn away applicants, and the IN
tering classes of our colleges showed
record-breaking registry.
This was not the condition in 1885,
SO. What has brought about the
change? In the first place. It is not
necessary for SO many children to
work in the mill. In the second place,
the prosperous man need not keep
the children from school for lack Of
clothes and shoes. Again, 1t costs
money to go through college and tech.
nical schools. This all brings up the
question of so-called Child labor. "Is
It not on the increase?" my free trade
friend will ask. l answer that the
census report shows an increase In
some sections of the south and west.
but large decreases in other sections.
The very increased demand for child
labor when our adults are fully en-
ployed is in itself ar indication OF In.
creased prosperity. While child Ia
Dor should undoubtedly be regulat.
ed by law, II Is nevertheless a blessing
when the father is dead or disabled
that the boys and girls can get good
wages and contribute to the support
of the family.
But the conditions r so immeas-
urably improved over the years Of the
Wilson-Gorman tariff that | cannot re-
frain from calling your attention to
the fact. We have the best system
of public schools in the world. We
have the best paid teachers, the most
comfortable structures, and an army
of scholars who are reaping benefits
far greater than can be found in any
other country, and as have already
shown we are expanding for educa-
ton 40 per cent as much as all the
other countries of the world combined.
Looking Southwark.
II there still remains any section
of u common country whose people
cling to the traditions of the past
and decline to recognize the fact and
the logic of the present, let us hope
that they will turn their faces to the
great light of day, the light of splen-
did progress and prosperity. They
should forget and remember-forget
that they were for a brief period
alienated from sympathy and good
will toward neighbors and friends, and
remember that all past differences
have been wiped OF the record and
that they now stand with all the peo'
pie upon the exalted ground OF mu-
tual patriotism.
So | say to our friends and neigh
bors to the southwark, Forget you
were free-traders. and try to remem-
Der what protection has done, is do
ing, and stands to do for you" Signs
are not wanting that they are forget
ting and that they are remembering.
A little may be needed to complete
the process of reversion, but am
thankful to believe that they are Oh
the right track and not long hence
will plant their feet alongside OF ours
on the solid rock Of protection to
American labor and industry p.
Conclusion.
Mr.. President, l have presented
briefly many of the material benefits