The Sunday Oregonian., December 02, 1906, Magazine Section, Page 48, Image 48

THE SUNDAY OREGONIAX, PORTLAND, DECEMBER : 2, 1906.
CURRENT IOPKS
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BY
'OOOpOO
THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ARMY CANTEEN
Officer and Total Abstainer Discloses the Pernicious
Effect Upon Enlightened Men of Its Abolishment.
48
PlSOU
Thou.
BY LIEUTENANT-GENERAL HENRY
C. OORBIN. U. S. A.
IN STATING my sentiment and views
in reference to the canteen feature
at post exchanges, I think that in
order to be fully understood I should
begin with a statement of my views and
sentiments in reference to the use of
alcoholic beverages in general. I have
all my life beena temperance adyocate
and have always led a temperate life.
I have never, in all my life, been at
any time under the influence of drink
In any degree whatever, and for years
I have abstained from the use of wine
or any spirituous drink altogether.
I was one of the first to advocate the
abolition of post traders whose main
source- of revenue was saloon attach
ments one for the officers and one for
,the soldiers in each army post. My prin
cipal object ' In thus opposing the post
traders was to abolish the use of intoxi
cants In the army.
Under these circumstances I need hard
ly explain that my personal Inclinations
are against the canteen. But experience
is a great teacher, and it taught me
that It Is unwise to attempt the impossi
ble. I found that, however much one
may wish to abolish drink In the army.
It cannot be done. For, no sooner was
the post trader, with his saloon" attach
ments, gone than, as If by magic, saloons
sprang up in the vicinity of every post.
They were conducted in most cases by
men without capital and character, who
sold to our soldiers the worst and vilest
kind of whisky. Moreover, these saloons
.were presided over by women lost to all
sense of shame. These resorts were
known to us to be dens of bad whisky
HIGHER PRICES AND
BY. J. L. JONES.
IT Is said that George Ade earns $150,000
a year by his labor in saying funny
things. That is more than the Great
Commoner could make if he did not do a
thing but sit on a stool and look his
prettiest.
By the way. there is nothing more mel
ancholy than the trade of a jokesmith
if one. has to work at it all the time. I
had rather be a blacksmith. That is,
provided I could get $150,000 a year for
blacksmithing and only $2.50 a day for
ten hours hard work hammering out
jokes on an. anvil. s
Under Socialism when everthing is fixed
as it ought to be and every worker
placed by the government just where he
belongs. George Ade will be put to edit
an agricultural paper and the agricul
tural editors will be turned loose to
make jokes. Then there will be hilarity
among the nations. War will cease, for
everybody will be so nearly dead laugh
ing that no one will be able to fight. It
wont be necessary to beat the swords
into plowshares; the rustic humorists will
swallow them to sharpen their wits.
A, few days ago I found in -a weekly
newspaper an article copied from an ag
ricultural paper on the subject of setting
h'ens. The writer earnestly advised that
If there were three hens setting, tbe eggs
should be carefully tested at the end of
a week and all the unfertile ones taken
out and thrown away. Then the remain
PROBLEM
BY MARIE CLODEK.
IT seems to be the aim of almost every
housewife to solve the servant prob
lem, on the streets, at the parties,
and in almost every periodical. They dis
cuss why. oh, why can't they get many
pood girls nowadays, or getting one, can't
get the girl to stay any great length of
time? I've often wondered why some
girls don't get hold of the matter and
throw some light on the subject; for who
can know the reasons why they prefer do
ing anything else to housework better
than they? Lately I heard one lady say
it's because the girls have no kicks to
make. I myself being a girl, decided then
and there to give my views, and some
Ideas from my experience.
My greatest ambition always was to
become a good cook, so after finishing
my school education I began, but there
being several of us girls at home, I
found I had not much opportunity to
become a good cook, as only continual
practice makes us perfect, no matter
what we undertake to do. I therefore
decided to "work out" for awhile.
The first place I kept a year. I was
a green girl when I began, but at tha
end of that time was considered a good
li
ocia
Until Such
BY J. H.- DAVIS.
SOCIALISM in theory and Socialism in
practice are different things. Theo
retical Socialism is not practical
under existing conditions. And present
day conditions promise to continue right
along, so far as society and government
Is concerned. As a matter of theory, the
principle of Socialism Is doubtless correct.
As a matter of practice, it is clearly an
Impossible proposition without a complete
and radical revolution socially and polit
ically. And this the people are not ready
for. In fact. If the Socialists had social
ism now they would not know what to do
with It, because the masses are not edu
cated up to socialistic ideas and stand
ards. I say this as a Socialist. I have al
ways maintained that there can be no
true" Socialism unless it be unreservedly
and pronounced Christian Socialism in all
tlia term Christian Socialism implies. I
do not mean Christian as to 'sect, creed
or doctrine. Not by any means. Jesus,
the man of Nazareth, had no creed, nor
did he or any of his apostles found a
church or formulate a creed. The only
creed given by the first great Christian
Socialist, Jesus, was the Sermon on the
Mount. The creed of the church he found
ed the doctrine Jesus and his apostles
preached was the creed of Love, bvother
ly love. "Love ye one another as I have
loved you." That was his command.
An atheistic or godless socialism, devoid
of human sympathy, can never reform the
world or make social cojjditions better.
The idea that might makes right is the
slogan of rulers and the masses. Hence,
armies are kept up and the weaker force,
whether right or wrong, goes to the wall
before the bayonets of hired soldiers men
and bad women, with a man In charge,
all conspiring to get the soldier's money,
ruin his physical and moral health and
lessen his usefulness as a soldier.
To meet this condition the army ex
change was established. It supplanted
the trader's establishment. It supplied
the soldier at reasonable prices with the
articles of ordinary use, wear and con
sumption not supplied by the Govern
ment. It afforded him means of rational
recreation and amusement. It combined
the features of reading and recreation
rooms, a co-operative store and a restau
rant. It was the soldier's club. Among
the beverages sold there were beer and
wine, but no ardent liquor.
The canteen was conducted on a sort
of co-operative plan and the profits were
used for the purchase of reading matter,
gymnastie apparatus, billiards, etc., and
to make - possible the sales of such eat
ables as the Government did not furnish,
at very low prices. No, money of the
Government was used in their establish
ment: the funds were provided by the
men themselves, or things were bought
on credit and afterwards paid out of the
profits.
The first canteen was established at
Fort Keogh. Mont., in 1881, and the
scheme worked " so well that a number
of other posts followed In establishing
similar Institutions. The reports of their
doings were so favorable that at last the
Secretary of War approved, of the system
and Issued general orders No. 10, author
izing the establishment of canteens and
prescribing rules and regulations for tht
government of the same. Paragraph 2 of
the rules provided as follows:
"The sale or use of ardent spirits In
canteens is strictly prohibited; but the
ing eggs should be put under two setters
and a fresh lot put under the third,
"thus saving two weeks out of the hen's
time."
The lady who wrote the article had no
thought whatever of saying anything
funny. She was jogging along in the
even tenor of her accustomed way, -her
mind on matronly matters of small
economy and painful thrift. The saving
of that hen's time was an important and
serious matter. She was in solmen and
deadly earnest. The bread was running
over the pans and the cat was into the
cream jug.
In the same paper I found a tale of
two cows that had a tragic sequel. One
cow was of royal pedigree. Her name was
Queen. The other was a fine butter cow
named Rose. It cost $35 a year each to
keep these cows. Queen produced only
$38 In butter fat- while Rose yielded $96.
The writer then figured that If the cost
of living should advance to $37 a year,
a raise of $2. there would be a profit of
only $1 a year oft Queen, while there
would be $59 to the good on Rose.
From this he reasoned with unanswer
able logic, that Rose was worth as much
as 59- Queens, and that if it did not pay
to keep Queen at all that she should
be condenmed to the butcher as soon as
possible. It will be observed that this
Is precisely the same logic used by rail
road and other corporations to justify
the sacrifice of their unprofitable em
ployes. But the case of Queen Is different.
Queens are not supposed to be reduced
OF THE "SERVANT GIRL," BY ONE OF THEM
cook, so I came to Portland for better
wages. I worked here for some of the
best families, always keeping my place
as long as I wanted it. I always found
plenty of work, which I was willing to
perform as long as the people in the
house treated me well. Often I heard
of hard places, the girls complaining
of ill treatment and hard usage. I
never could understand that, for I al
ways was treated well, having a nice
room and every privilege of the house.
I no longer worked to learn housework,
but for the money, as I am very inde
pendent, besides I preferred . to do
housework to clerking, having done
both, for I learned to love my work,
and it is a pleasure to me to do it well.
It's the knowledge that it's done the
best it could be that made me contented.
I am sure In' my mind that every
sensible, girl Is willing to do what Is
right, providing the other party doer
what is right, and. above all we all
want human treatment.
Over a year ago I first realized how
some girls are treated, and shall here
give a few statements out of that experi
ence, hoping it may benefit some.
I had a short vacation. After coming
back I applied for a position near Twen-ty-flfth
and Overton streets. The lady
ism Needs a Creedless Christianity
ch a Universal Church Is Founded, Revolution From Present Conditions Must Fall.
hired to murder" their fellowmen at the
nod and beck of those in command. Such
a state .of affairs is not admissible in So
cialism, as all socialistic teaching is
against war. and bloodshed and in favor
of peaceful arbitration. Such was the
teaching of Jesus, who so beautifully por
trayed the fatherhood of God and the
brotherhood of man.
One of the needs of the century is a
Socialist church; a church without a
creed; a church based on the fatherhood
of God and the brotherhood of man; a
church where every person will be taught
to be his own savior; a church where for
givenness of sins is ndt the cardinal struc
ture; a church which teaches that all sins,
whether physical or moral, can only be
atoned for by the law of compensation;
that sin is never forgiven, and that the
only real forgivenness comes in ceasing
to commit, offenses; a church which will
go back to primitive faith and primitive
practice a universal, free, unbiased, non
sectarian church, where the seats will be
free for the, mechanic, the laborer, all
working people; a church where all cit
izens, rich and poor, high and low, can
worship, will worship, without the ban of
caste, which puts a "I-am-holler-and-be.t-ter-than-thou"
Idea Into the minds of
shoddy aristocrats, who shiver -ilen they
Tub against a working man or woman. In
fine, a union church, creedless, but Chris
tian, according to the teachings of the
Nazarlne.
In the Portland Public Library is a
book all should read. I have read It sev
eral times with interest. It was written
by Albion W. Tourgee, Jurist, soldier, au
thor, journalist. The title of the book is
"Murvale Eastman. Christian Socialist."
It Is a charming story, full of the most
intense human sympathy and. love for
mankind. Its charactersare very human
portrayals of nature. It is a book that
commanding officer la authorized to, per
mit wines and beer to be sold therein
by the drink on week days, and In a
room used for no other purpose, when
ever he is satisfied that the giving to the
men the opportunity of obtaining such
beverages within post limits has the ef
fect of preventing them from resorting
for strong Intoxicants' to places without
such limits, and tends to promote tem
perance and discipline among them."
So many commanding officers were
satisfied that such would be the result
of the establishment of the canteens that
on the first of February, 1890, only about
a year afterwards, 67 of the 110 garrison
posts in the army had canteens in active
operation, and more than $150,000 had been
spent by the soldiers In their establish
ment. The success of the canteens and their
effect upon the health and conduct of the
soldiers and the discipline of the army
showed that the money was well expend
ed. What is most remarkable is that the
beneficial effect appeared so soon, espe
cially in the reduction, and partially en
tire disappearance, of alcoholism among
the men. '
Some of the figures in the official re
ports in this respect are ' absolutely
startling. For instance, at the post of
Willet's Point, N. Y., the number of ad
missions for acute alcoholism among a
thousand patients went down from 272.97
in 1889 to 70.46 in 1891: at Presidio, San
Francisco, Cal., from 114.05 to 8.68 In the
same period; at Fort . Hancock, Texas,
from 140.43 to 39.22; at Fort Spokane,
Wash., from 118.72 to 50.96, and so on
through almost the entire list.
And although alcoholism has. In spite
of the abolition of the army canteen.
THE ACTUAL COST
to the base uses of yielding butter fat for
farmers. They are wholly ornamental
and ornamental articles are as much
more expensive than merely useful
things as George Ade is more costly
than a village blacksmith. To advocate
that a Queen should be deposed and
sent to the block because she does not
yield butter fat is rank revolutionary an
archy. Emma Goldman, Eugene Debs or
even Willie Hearst, at his very worst,
never preached anything ' more awful
than that. And yet that article is going
the round of the press .in plate matter
as Ineffectually disguised as a bomb- in a
basked of butter,.
The calculation in the first place was a
purely hypothetical one. The writer
based the figures on the fiction in his own
mind that the cost of living would .ad
vance. Why did he not imagine that It
would be reduced. A farmer in Oregon
could keep Queen a year and never miss
the bit of grass or hay she would eat.
She could be spared from butchery, an
archy averted and the farmer have $38
to the good, like getting money from
home. But the article was no doubt writr
ten in the East where they think the
higher the cos of living he greater the
glory and the nobler the life.
;The cost of living is an important fac
tor In the destiny of human persons as
well as in the fate -of cows and chickens.
It costs a college student in Corvallls
$15 a month for board- and lodging. Is
this extravagant and luxurious living, or
is it scanty, bare and economical pas
ture? This is . a burning question and it
paid there were three of them in the fam
ily, and they wanted a girl who thorough,
ly understood cooking. They didn't care
much about anything else being done.
She engaged me to come that day, with
the understanding I was to have any one
day to go to the fair, and if we didn't
suit each other she would pay me $1 a
day from beginning up to the time I'd
leave.
Merely the sight of her made me home
sick, still I thought there's work to be
done everywhere, so why not do it here?
Courage, patience, stay with me, for this
means $30 a month.. After all, money is
power. - '
That evening I came, prepared dinner,
found there were five instead of three,
two being there temporarily. Received
instructions for next day. After finishing
my work, I went to the attic to my room.
As I opened the door a chill voluntarily
passed through me. ... Heavens! was I to
live in this? There was a bare floor, in
one comer a bed, with an old patched
sheet for a spread. One had to be care
ful in getting up not to hit the- roof, as it
was. slanting over the bed. In another
corner was a grocery box covered with a
piece of Swiss; on it stood a lamp and
washbasin. Evidently it was to serve as
washstand, dresser, writing desk and ev
will elevate Its readers. If they care to
be elevated morally. If all the preachers
in the land were Murvale Eastmans, the
Year of Jubilee would dawn. We should
have "Peace on earth and good will to
men" as a result of such teaching.
Of all Judge Tourgee's books, this is the
best. It awakens thought, puts old things
in a new light, is intensely Christian in.
its conclusions and sentiment. It teaches
men and women some truths they perhaps
never dreamed of or were tbo selfish to
heed.
Fanatics, creed-bound religionists, dis
honest teachers of the people those who
are working for creed and salary rather
than for the honest welfare of the people
will not like this- book and will oppose
Its philosophy and teaching, just as they
have ever opposed all things not branded
with their especial trade-mark. the trade
mark of their own creed and belief.
Anything intensely human and radically
Christian any doctrine which foroes
priest and teacher to "Walk In His
Steps," Is not popular, never was popu
lar, never will be popular. The churches
are puffed up with pride and display.
The preachers, as a rule, are filled more
with theological pride and the "pride of
intellect" than with the spirit of the
meek and lowly Nazarene. -Were Jesus
to occupy any of these pulpits today, he
would be driven out on charge of heresy.
Christian Socialism, as outlined in Mur
vale Eastman's ; Christian Socialist
church, meets the demands of the cen
tury. But what a revolution it would cre
ate In established theology, which Is not
Christian, but man-made affairs mostly
originated for purposes of graft. I leave
it to the readers of The Oregonian to
decide this, which they can do for them
selves by commencing at the first chapter
in the New Testament and reading it
through. Let them read and form their
never returned to Its former dimensions,
because drunkenness has under modern
commercial and industrial civilizing in
fluences greatly decreased among all
classes of people, yet, as seen from com
parisons made by the surgeon-general. It
prevails now in the American army, com
pared with the armies of Europe, where
canteens are maintained in all barracks
and -garrisons. In an enormous degree.
As a temperance advocate I, at first, op
posed the canteen, but after observing
Its effects at several posts I became con
vinced that It was a practical step in
tbe direction of reaL temperance reform
and general improvement of the moral
condition of our soldiers, as well as a
direct method of improving their minds,
and their manners and general soldierly
bearing. They soon became the enlisted
men's clubs, where the Influence of the
sober, well-behaved men dominated in a
manner which forced the silly and foolish
element to conduct themselves in orderly
and sober ways, conforming to public
sentiment no less than the regulations
which forbid riotous -or unseemly con
duct. The majority of our soldiers are
sober and order-loving men. The canteen
gives them control of the thoughtless
young boys, and even brings the vicious
ones under the control of those who take
pride In the good name of the service.
Yet, those wanting beer and other light
drinks would get the same in their club
at almost cost price and always the best
that could be bought. Under the regula
tions moderate use was insured, and .this
could in no way injure their health. And
I am of the opinion that because they
had an opportunity to satisfy their crav
ing for a stimulant by some mild alco
holic beverage, beer or wine, they cared
little or not at all for stronger drink.
affects the while state, and for that mat
ter the whole world.
It Is claimed by boarding-house keep
ers that there is little profit and much
loss in the business. Furthermore, it is
alleged in behalf of the defendants that
at intervals between studies some of the
boys practice athletics. This . of course,
means a rough house. Chairs and tables
are demolished and stoves overturned.
The small profits of the landlady are
stilL further reduced, the credit of the
house impaired and its very existence en
dangered. Thjere is developed a sense of
Insecurity, a feeling that life is mostly
vanity and college life especially a holy
terror.
Here is a problem in political econo
my that comes close to the hearts of
the people. By this, of course, I mean
their pockets. The heart, it must be
understood, is a receptacle. The pocket
is also a receptacle. Therefore, heart
and the pocket are one and inseparable,
because the heart is really a pocket.
This explains the identity of interest
between the two and also -the intimate
relation between religion and politics,
for religion is an emotion of the heart
pocket.
Now we have all lVard stories and
possibly have seen living examples of
thrifty German or Dutch farmers, who
could keep a family of 16 children on
less than $15 a month, and save enough
to pay off the' mortgage and buy up
the adjoining farm. "We have heard
still more wondrous and undoubtedly
authentic histories of pious young men
who started out in life on less than $15
erything else; a little mirror hung pn the
bed post, and that was all. Tears of hu
miliation rushed to my eyes as I sank on
my knees by the bedside, asking God for
strength, courage, and patience to endure
this, my greatest trial in serving other
people, which, till that day, had been to
me a pleasure.
Next morning after getting breakfast
I went to set the dining-room table and
found the door locked. Later I learned
all the doors were kept locked all the
time, all but the kitchen, basement, back
stairs and the girl's room, which was in
deed a typical "servant's" room. The
house was unlocked only when the girl
had work in there to do. After every
meal everything was locked, including sil
verware,' bread, fruit and butter, for the
two weeks I was there, not a pound of it
was used. Mrs. only bought enough
vegetables at a time for a meal, and the
consequences were I went to bed hungry
except those evenings when I went to
see my sister, who then was working
on Ella Btreet for a family that treated
her as one of them. There I had plenty
to eat; or when she came to see me she
brought me some eatables.
When I asked her for another dish
towel she accused the previous girl with
running off with it She had a habit of
calling everybody names, her daughter
own conclusions. And the average reader
of this paper certainly has intelligence
enough to read understandingly for him
or herself, without the aid of creed-prejudiced
priests.
As a rule, however. Socialist papers do
not favor Christian Socialism. With one
exception, so far as I know, there Is not
a Christian Socialist paper In the land.
Socialism can never become a power for
good unless it stands square on the teach
ings of Jesus. , It may become a political
power to a degree locally, but never a
National power unless moral In tone.
Were churches planned after Murvale
Eastman's Christian Socialist Church,,
there would be no need of theological
colleges or theological teachers. Mill
ions of money would be saved, men re
generated, society made better, and a'
genuine reign of true socialism Inaugu
rated. The orthodox churches of today
do not destroy wickedness,' nor do they
put any perceptible check on the high
tide of rum, sensuality, crime and graft
rampant in the land. Many professing
Christians, high and low, are immoral
and dishonest, as the daily records
prove.
We see woe, want, stinging poverty,
jails full, penitentiaries crowded, where
churches are thickest and prayers the
longest and loudest. And we know
that the churches have utterly failed
to stay the tide of drunkenness and
crime which floods the land. There is
no spirituality in the churches; none of
the spirit of Jesus. All Is form and
ceremony and galvanized Christianity.
For these and other reasons a Chris
tian .Socialist Church is needed. The
plain people will not accept of the
"fashionable religious trust" falsely la
beled Christianity. Hence the churches
are poorly attended. People go every
where on Sundays exoept to church. In
a social way churches are useful, and
they do good by holding society to
gether that much. But for purposes of
genuine moral reform and Christian
unity, love and fellowship,- modern
Christian profession Is a failure,, be
cause lacking the spirit of Christ.
Portland. Nov. 28.
At any rate, the attractions' of the vile
resorts in the neighborhod were not suf
ficiently strong to lure them. There were
exceptions, of course, but where is the
herd that does not. contain some black
sheep?
Army officers in charge of canteens
have repeatedly told men that they were
able to almost obliterate the outlying sa
loon, leaving few, if any, vile resorts for
the soldier to patronize. I believe this
could be dpne now If the sale of light
drinks should again be permitted.
Perhaps, the entire absence of intoxi
cating beverages would be the ideal con
dition and entire abstinence a great vir
tue, but, without, on my part, indulging
in any speculation as to the cause, it
seems to me that this ideal condttion is
not Obtainable and that millions of men
are unable or unwilling to see anything
virtuous In entire abstinence. Under
such circumstances it seems clear that
the giving of an opportunity to drink
beer or wine in moderate quantities and
in pleasant surroundings, bearing the
character of refinement, is a real temper
ance measure and necessarily of whole
some effect.
The men were provided in the canteen
with means to play all kinds of games,
but gambling was absolutely prohibited.
This made the soldiers content to spend
the evenings and leisure hours of the day
In their club under the influence of their
sober-and Intelligent comrades, rather
than gamble in tbe saloons that infest all
posts since the canteen was abolished. ,
The most serious phase of the question
is the large number of our soldiers that
have become ill with loathsome diseases
by reason of association with the women
that were but a part of these saloons.
During the last four years I have com
OF LIVING
a month and in a few short years saved
up enough to become multi-millionaires.
How can we account for such
anomalous experiences? How is it that
a poor but honest young man cannot
now become rich on $15 a month?
Suppose the professor of economy
was to start on a farm with a big
family and no money, and the farm was
not paid for. Could he practice what
he professes with success and move
with steady Btrides to wealth?
Suppose a farmer who has actually
accomplished this, should be appointed
to the chair of political economy In a
university. The Populists were ac
cused of advocating something like
this. Well, what of it? Suppose he
could impart to the students the se
cret of living on $15a month and ac
cumulating a swollen fortune or even
a moderate competence out of the sur
plus, would he not be the man for the
place? He would soon become accus
tomed to the use of soap and socks,
napkins and forks. These are non-essential.
The main thing about econo
my is its saving grace. We want
somebody to save us by teaching how
to save, and at the same time to spend
liberally, and not be stingy.
There are some problems about po
litical economy thst are the despair
alike of the professor and the politi
cian. One of these Is to convince the
trustful voter that he is overwhelming
ly prosperous and at the same time
that the condition of foreign markets
do not justify -igh wages. He is
assured that his dignity as a sovereign
included. She was the mist saving wo
man I ever heard of. It is all right to
be economical, but when It comes to
counting out 30 matches for one week, a
bar of soap, etc., locking the rest up. I
call that stinginess. Later I heard she
was considered one of the richest w.imcn
in Portland, and also the stingiest by her
neighbors.
In short. I had to work hard, not get
enough to eat, be called all kinds of
names, reminded every ten minutes that
I get $1 a day while her time is worth
$5 an hour, and told every little while I
was a working girl not allowed to use the
bathtub for such people as we (I was
told)- there arc free public baths near
Madison bridge.
After struggling to win the place two
weeks I found my strength and courage
left me, and I was defeated, so I told her
I'd quit. The day I went to the Fair I
cleaned thoroughly two rooms and did
the morning's work and she gave me
nothing for that day and said by right I
ought to pay her for the first meal. She
expected her girl to send out her laundry,
as it took too much wood for ironing.
Now. is such treatment towards a girl
because she Is doing housework Justifiable
of a Christian woman? No. a thousand
times no. There are many educated, re
fined girls doing housework just to get
Wanted : The Principles of
Demand From the Whole World for Less Orthodoxy and More
' BY THOMAS BUCKMAN.
TO the Editor: In this age of In
vestigation there appears to be
nothing that is too sacred to pre
vent the shafts of criticism being
hurled at It from some point of obser
vation; and anything that cannot stand
to have its every position carefully in
vestigated is not likely to create a
very great sentiment in its favor.
There are some propositions brought
forward by the Christian churches
which are not made clear; and until
they do so ns a body, and make state
ments upon which they can all agree,
they need not wander that the world
at large does not take as much stock
as they imagine, it should.
The first great Important matter that
is not clear Is where one person wil
fully injures or wrongs another, can
th blood of Jesus be made In any way
to make the matter right between them
without the ona who did the wrong
having to make restitution in full to
the one wronged? We- will suppose
there has been no attempt here In this
Ufa to make restitution in any way,
but the one who has done the wrong
has called upon the blood to wash
away his sins. Does that make It all
right between them?
This is a very important question,
because if it does make everything
right between the one who does the
wrong and the injured one then there
is no great need of being- very partic
ular trying in mttivci nftut wuu I
fellow man; all you have to do is to 1
manded the' Atlantic, the Philippine and
the Northern divisions, and found In al
most every post much, the same conditions
prevailing. A very large percentage of all
the sick, both In quarters and in the hos
pital, were victims of association with bad
women, a sequence of too free use of vile
drink. This is a disagreeable statement,
but it is founded on facts. These dissi
pated men not only fill our Army hospit
als, but their. illness makes the sober,
well-balanced men perform their duties,
in many instances amounting to great
hardships.
I would be willing to do hard work to
wipe from the face of the earth all alco
holic drink. .Satisfied, however, that this
cannot be done. I favor the minimum of
bad results rather than the maximum,
as the present way of doing things In
vites. All .people of the world ar given
to its use. No tribe, however far . re
moved from civilization, but has always
had alcoholic drink, or something so near
akin to it as to cause similar effects. Its
use cannot be abolished by law. That has
been tried again and again, but invariably
failed.
Generally speaking, the soldier Is. as to
physical and Intellectual needs and desires,
like other men, but the attempts to pre
vent him from the use of alcoholic drink
by the force of law has a worse effect
on him than on those in other pursuits
of life, especially where he Is singled out
of the many, and that is the cas,e every
where, except where prohiibtion is the
law of the state. Millions of men consider
the use or non-use of alcoholic beverages,
particularly their moderate - use, a mere
personal matter, and strongly resent the
interference of the law.
These men are equally numerous among
civilians and soldiers. Whether rightly or
Some Homely Remarks on The Science of Political
Economy, With a few Homely Illustrations.
citizen of this great republic demands
that he should luxuriate in the best
of everything and his wife and family
should be arrayed in all the glories of
the bargain-shops. But this Is not
economy this is wild extravagance.
He must pay high prices for every
thing, because prosperity Is based on
high prices. How can he reconcile this
with economy? How can he do this
out of reasonable wages and not go
broke? He cannot be impecunious and
prosperous at the same time. Pros
perity means high prices and full
pockets. High prices means extrava
gant expenditures. Extravagance ends
in poverty. Poverty seems to keep
mighty close up in the race with pros
perity. How can it be banished? Will
increasing production of butterfat do
it if the cost of the cow's feed ad
vances with the price of the fat? Will
saving the hen's time do it? Geese
saved Rome from the Gauls. Maybe
hens will be the economical saviors
of this country. Let the cock crow
Immediately and tbe eagle continue to
scream. Eagles are also hatched from
eggs. The egg Is the emblem of the
universe, the organ of life and the pe
destal of immortality.
The worst kicker is not the prole
tarian who is too poor to kick, but
the ambitious bourgeoise who cannot
satisfy his wants for $50 worth of lux
uries with $25 of salary. $1200 a year
is no money to an aspirant for social
distinction. A gentleman cannot live
on less than $30,000. Thin is how It
cbmes that so many homilies are de
One Type of Mistress Whose Treatment of the Maid
Must Drive Her Away From Housework.
different ways, and they will not
stand the same treatment as did the
slaves who knew nothing but to kiss
the hand that beat them.
When there will be more real ladles
there will also be better girls. Had that
been my first place I would never have
entered a stranger's kitchen as cook
again. But I knew there were some re
spectable places on the list and succeed
ed In finding them. At present I am
working for a very nice family where I
am treated well and get the best wages.
One lady where I applied for work, after
scrutinizing me, said: Well, yes, we want
a good working girl; mind you, no lady,
for they always think they're as nice as
I am, and I don't know how to talk with
them." I decided right then I didn't
want the place. The next lady said: "Oh.
yes, we want a girl badly. Are you a
Swede?' Before I could answer she in
formed me: "I don't want a Swede in my
house; they're so dirty." and though I
am not a Swede. I didn't want to take
the place where the lady talks like that.
Don't the women of this age see
and can't they realize we are human,
many of us being more of a lady than
they? We won't stand any such treat
ment. They talk of the girl as we do
of our dog. It's a shamo that such
conditions should exist right In the
repent in time and call upon the ef
ficacy of the blood, and the work is
done. And as there is more joy in
heaven over one sinner that repenteth
tun ninety and nine that goeth not
astray, there is a good chance to make
joy In heaven. If the blood does no
good between individuals it ought to
be made clear to that effect, as there
appear to be so many who act as
though they were depending upon it.
Another important question is, do
the dead lie in their graves until some
day in the great .future when they are
called up at the sound of the trumpet
to be brought before the Judgment bar
'to be Judged; Or are they waked to
consciousness upon their dissolution
from the body, and go immediately to
their judgment, the good going to hea
ven, and the wicked going directly to
hell?
I have frequently heard both propo
sitions presented as though they were
facts, in the same sermon. How both
positions can be true I can't see; and
the worst of it Is I never could get
any lucid explanation, of the subject.
Every one who would attempt to make
any explanation would soon betray the
fact that they did not know any more
about the subject than I did. All they
could do was to say, you must take the
Bible and it will make It all plain if
you will read it right- Well, of course,
that is what we all do. But 11 looks to
me as though it was a catch-as-catch-can
and go-as-you-please affair, and
land wherever you may happen to.
It is not my object to detract In any
way from the good work that the
churches may have done for humanity;
but the vast amount of work that
wrongly, they consider, from their stand
point, the Interference of the law as in
compatible with their natural rights and
their spirit becomes one of rebellion
against the law. The civilian gives vent
to this spirit either in volating the law,
openly or secretly, or in the use of his po
litical rights on election day. Upon his
calling and occupation it has. with certain
exceptions, no influence whatsoever. But
the soldier is liable to become dissatisfied
with his calling and discipline must suffer
as an unavoidable consequence.
I think there are social Influences at
work much stronger than the law. and It
the matter is left to these Influences It
will regulate itself in course of time.
There was a period, not so very long ago,
when it was considered in the best soci
ety just the proper thing to " drink tha
other fellow "under the table." Such a
proceeding would be abhorred today
among respectable people. The time when
the whisky decanter adorned every side
board, not for ornament merely, has
passed forever. The requirement of re
fined 'manners and decent conduct becomes
gradually more general in all classes of
society. In the business world sober
habits have become almost an absolute
requisite for employment. There Is an
obvious tendency everywhere toward mod
eration in drinking habits, manifesting It
self plainly in the supplanting of ardent
liquor by milder stimulants, such as beer
and wine. Under the civilizing influences
of our time, people become more moder
ate in all their habits. It Is a pity that
Impatience so frequently resorts to legis
lation which has no other effect but to
impede the somewhat slow but sound and
wholesome effect of the course of advanc
ing civilization.
Washington. D. -C., Nov. 17.
livered on the virtue of economy, and
that w are exhorted so earnestly and
often to be contented with our lot.
But economy is like religion; it is
harder to practice than to preach or
profess. In fact, economy is the boon
companion of poverty. Too much fa
miliarity with It breeds contempt. A
gentleman Is trained to abhor economy
as devoutly as he despises work. Econ
omy and prosperity cannot occupy the
same house. If prosperity comes, econ
omy must go.
There Is as yet no science of political
economy any more than there is a sci
ence of theology. There Is only a Babel
of discord, a confusion of tongues. Th
noise of many talkers, a medley of lies,
rumors and false reports. The Repub
licans stand for high prices; the Dem
ocrats for low prices. It is all bom
bast and buncombe a war of words
and confusion of Ideas. None of them
ever go Into a correct analysis of the
relation of prices and wages or tell the
real facts.
It Is quite a new departure, an omen
of a new dispensation, for The Oregoni
an to permit the discussion of such
dangerous subjects by non-professionals.
I am not a professor, but an un
dertaker by trade, and I may under
take at some time to tell a few things
that are true, absolutely true, about
prices and wages. But not now. Space
is like money. It soon gets used up.
And the people are unprepared. They
are too busy at the bargain counters.
Let them alone with their toys.
Corvallls. Or., Nov. 22.
heart of the Rose City, but they do.
What effect would such treatment
have upon a, girl who never worked
in a private family before? Only
horror, dread, repulsion for any house
work, and fly to the stores and fac- .
tories (and no one with any sense can
blame them). Then after some time
they get married, and, having no
knowledge of housework and cooking,
they make the man and themselves
miserable, and after a time it all ends
with a divorce. For most of that tha
ladies are responsible. If they would
uso a little Judgment and common
sense they would have no hard times
with girls. Many ladies who employ
only one girl have her do everything
besides waiting on her, running up and
down stairs like an elevator. Every
girl, after she gets through with her
work, should have all the time for
her own, to do with as she pleases,
and not be obliged to a3k permission
.every time she wants to go out of an
evening or Sunday, as if she were a
child of 10 years. We must have mora
liberty and better treatment. Jt we
can't get It doing housework, we'll go
where we can get it Above all,, human
treatment.
Portland, November 29.
Righteousness
Teaching of the Golden Kule.
need; to be done to lead people out of
the paths of sin and point them into
tbe ways of righteousness stands up
like a mountain; while the churches
stand tightly locked for six days out
of the seven, as cold and uninviting as
grave-yard stones; and on the seventh,
when the doors arc opened so that one
may enter, he gets into an atmosphere
of cold and freezing formality where .
he feels himself blotted out so far as
being allowed to have an independent
thought of aii own: and he sits and
listens to a hodge-podge presentation
of foundation principles Into which he
must fit himself if he wishes to cherish
a hope of salvation: and he must take
the wiiole business on faith. When he
finds he cannot shape himself to fit
the religious garments presented to
him. ne walks out, and figuratively
speaking, be generally "takes to the
woods."
What Is wanted now is a clear and
lucid presentation of the principles of
righteousness. The world is beginning
to demand It. Church formalities are
not in demand, and are losing their
value on the market, but plain common
sense good works are beginning to ap
preciate in the market, let them come
from where they will. The hand
reached out to help; the pleasant smile
of assurance; the kind, disinterested
deed done without manifesting any ap
pearance of hope of reward, and giving
out as you go the feeling that you re
gad all mankind as having equal
heirship with you to the many boun
ties that the earth produces, is what
is beginning to be wanted, instead of
the many incongruities presented by
the churches of the present time.
Ashland, Or, Nov. 2