The Herald W. T. FOCLE, Editor. Enteral u Mcond-clu matter September 8. 19tti, at the poet office at Monmouth, Oregon, under the Act of March S, 1879. ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY, BY The Acorn Press, Publishers Monmouth, Oregon. Subscription Rates One year Six months $1 50cts FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1908 Contradictory. ' In commenting on a new book by H. G. Wells, the Oregonian has the following to say: "Mr. Wells remarks that the men of millions seem almost to be in league, not to make small property secure but to devour it. Of course he does not intimate that they have formed a definite conspiracy; he means that the financial system acts as if they had done so. If this is true it involves a terrible danger to so ciety. In the long run people will not save unless they can in vest their savings safely and the decay of thrift means evidently the evolution of a propertylcss proletariat. Let us face a few of the facts. It is well known, for example, that about 'Jo per cent of all those who start small stores lose their investments. We may explain this to suit our selves, We may say these men are incompetent, ignorant, fool hardy, and very likely many of them are; but the significant fact remains that here is a stream Mowing in steady volume into the ocean of poverty. Is there any way to check it? Compared with the' whole number of banks in the country there are few which fail. Still the absolute number of failures is pretty large and they effect depositors by the hundred thou sand. Sometimes they lose part of their savings, sometimes all. In either case their thrift is dis couraged and they are taught the poisonous lesson of disgust and hatred toward the govern ment which professes to protect property and yet permits the man of humble means to be ruthlessly despoiled. Is not the air full of shady projects big with false promise and aimed directly at the thrift of the small capitalist? The government which complacently allows such an industry to flourish is com mitting slow suicide, though per haps it is not so very slow either. Think of the measureless faculty of the millionaires who oppose postal savings banks. Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad. The tariff bucca neers are kindling codflagrations to consume their own spoil." The above would seem that the Oregonian has become, not only an advocate of Bryan doc trines, but considerable of a socialist. That there is much truth in these statements can not be denied, yet it is one great argument in favor of govern ment protection to the depositors in the numerous banks. The Oregonian decried the Bryan doctrine of government guaran antee, yet the government would guarantee the deposits in the postal savings banks. Merely a rose by another name. Another feature of the matter is that there is brooding and likely to hatch at any time a revolution beside whieh that of France would appear a mere pigmy, from the fact that the statement that the ranks of the poverty stricken are rapidly on the increase is but too true. The great number of people in this nation who are dependent on their daily labor for a living is enormous and when a panic comes, which is likely at any time under our present financial system, they are thrown out of work and therefore suffer from hunger. A hungry man is very much like a hungry wolf, he will attack most any thing that looks like it would satisfy his hunger. There is a way to stop this business and that is by government control or owner ship of public utilities and the breaking up of the trusts, not otherwise, so long as money con trols men. The killing of Ralph Fisher in Portland Saturday is only an other plea for the abolition of the saloon and the provision of adequate punishment for men who persist in getting drunk. The murderer has for many years been a constant patron of saloons and will no doubt make acohol ism his plea. This should not be considered from the fact that he had been brooding for days over his fancied grievance and then when he worked himself up to a proper state of mind to do the deed he went and filled up on liquor in order to give him the courage to commit the deed. It is so in most cases of murder and it is time something was done to stop it. Finch has never been any great good to the community and of late years has been getting worse. It would be a good thing to place such per sons under restraint and we would like to see the next legis lature take some steps looking to putting all common drunks in jail for.long terms and make them work for the benefit of the county. The Oregonian wonld like to see the next legislature repeal a lot of laws. Well most every body knows that it would like to see the direct primary and the initiative and referendum re pealed and return to boss rule. There might then be a possibil ity of a chance for Harvey to be elected United States Senator, but the people will never do it. The Sorrow of It. "It's too bad," observed the man who seemed to be thinking aloud. "What's too bad?" queried the party who had overheard the observation. "That our neighbors always know when we have fried onions for supper, but never get next when we have strawberries and toe cream," explained the noisy thinker. Chicago News. The Weather. "Do you think there is any reliable way of foretelling the weather?" "Yep," answered Farmer Corutos- sel. "Jes' think of the kind you don't want and then prophesy It" Wash lngton Star. Full of It Mrs. Caterby In a short time now we will do all our heating by alcohol. Caterby That's good. All we'll have to do will be to connect your Uncle Jake to the furnace and range. Life. Foolish Qdaation. "Why, my boy, did you fall In that open coal hole?" "No; course not. I wui In here, an' they built a pavement over me." Il lustrated Bits. By the streets of "by and by" one arrives at th bouse of "never." Cer-rantea. I Watch for our 1 Cfcrisfcmas Bargains I BOGERT & SON I V. O. Boots FIRE LIFE AND CASUALTY INSURANCE LOSSES PROMPTLY PAID A. N. Poole Contractor and Builder. General Carpenter Work Phone 187 Real Estate For Sale. 330 acres on C. E. R. R. H miles from station and school house. Good srqall house and two barns, and other out build ings and a good young orchard. Good stock and dairy ranch at a bargain. 80 acres, 60 under cultivation; good house, barn and other out buildings; 2 miles from rail road station. Will sell for cash, or half cash, balance one years time. 5 springs and running water on place. 2$ big lots lying on Main street in Monmouth, will sell cheap. 2j lots with a good 5 room, basement cottage, with a good pantry and closet. Apples, pears, cherries, plums and other small fruit. A bargain. Inquire of A. N. Halleck, Monmouth, Oregon. Students Contest Ballot Five Votes For. Not good after December 12. Perkins Under Management Prescriptions Carefully Compounded. Prices Right. Come in and investigate our Up-to-date line of Brushes, Stationery, and Toilet Articles. Full Line of Paints, Oil and Glass. We carry the sole agency for the well known Sherwin Williams Paints. Pure Drugs, Reasonable Prices Hotel Hampton D. M. Hampton, Proprietor 15 years in Monmouth Under Same Old Management Everything strictly firstclass Christmas is Coming Our Goods have already arrived Come in and buy your presents early and get your choice. Our stock of Jewelry and Silverware is larger than ever. Our Leather Novelties are just the thing. Don't forget our Home Made Candy It is Clean Pure and Wholesome Yours for the Christmas Trade P. E. CHASE Pharmacy of Graduate Pharmacist