The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1867-04-05
HIGH PRICES.
From the faet1bat IsndIords sva

From the fact That landlords are charg
ing and really obtaining rents Of $1,000
to $4,000 per aunum, that magnificent
msrbls warehouses are being built on ev-
cry hand, and that pictures by foreign and
native artists, are easily soldAt $4,000
and $4,000, that incomes in the hun
dreds of thousands are numerous. and
those of millions not unfrequent, it may
be inferred that We are very fortunate sad
successful people, or else that We are
leading an unheslthy and unsafe life.
In certain lights, both views of the
subject are correct. We know of several
quiet merchants who hold Government
securities by millions. others employ
vast retinus of clerks, statesmen aud por$
teFs, others count theiF profits annually
by amounts that. IN former days, would
have been fortunes in themselves, ana
others spend and can afford 10 spend, more
money in q month than their parents
handled In life time. The marriageable
men of the day sniff at the idea of sssum-
ing matrimonial responsibilities with an
income of less than $4,000 per aunum,
and young ladies turn up their at a
trousseaa costing less than $4,000. Our
fathers were content with, moderate in
comes, and lived comfortable on slill
smaller outgo; our mothers married and
managed to live we'll enough without
Wsrdrobes it for princess, and together
they contrived to keep house respectfully,
COSTLY, aud to their entire satisfaction.
The change that has come over the very
essence of our existence is as unfortu-
nate as it is radical. As a people, we
have emerged from the original sim plici-
ty that characterized the living of our
foFefathers, and We are far along upon the
highway of extravaganza, and tending
rapidly TO decline, socially if not political
ly. Let US look for moment at the ex
travagance Of our times. The dresses OF
tie ladies' are not only singular in con-
struction, but vastly expensive. The lit
tie jigamarees that they wear on the tip
top Of their pretty heads are as extreme
in price as absurd IN size. The coils,
curls, waterfalls, back hair, front frzzss
and wavy wilcheriss with which they de-
stroy the symmetry of the head and dis
ease the scalp, are as outrageously ex-
pensive as they are undeniably false.
Every article of apparel, from lacss to
gloves, from boots 10 parasols, from ear.
rings to mOucboirs, from perfume to hair
pins. is rated at an absurd figure by the
dealer and paid for with Praiseworthy Sc
renity by somebody. So far as our obser-
walton extends, there is nothing used by
man, woman or. child. in the way of food,
clothing, ornament or utility, that is APP
praised at a reasonable rate by the manu-
facturer, dealer or owner. --#a 'i -
Rents are quadruplsd. It is all well
enough for US 10 theoriZs about the ne
cessity OF reduction in rentss- landlords
don't believe in tne necessity and insist
upon an increase. s- 70 "'
And-sO We go from step to step. from
height to height, add there seems nopros-
pect of relief. 1t may be that dry goods
will follow the exrmple of -four, that but
ter and lard will emulate coal. and that in
some balcyon day Of spring rentals will
remember to be just; but we are not over
sanguins in that regard, and we very
much fear that our young women will
continue to dress extrsvagautlY, aud our
schemes go on swimmingly, until the in
eYitably crash lets US all down, and af-
fords renewed opportunity for 9 second
beginning and regeneratsd career.-N
Y Times, .---.. ....-...- ....