Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-30

sumption. Some are In favor of more
bonds $3.50 being issued, all haveing
IN View an increased facility for gaining
property. Not whisper escapes the
lips OF one wiseacre about an improper
use of the wealth we already possess.
Not word about fast living; that
would not be popular. Popularity ruins
many; by 1t Belknap fell, and thous-
andS of others viii follow in his wake.
Ii the same principles govern the COM
mnnity--that is, get money fast. honor
ably if you can. if not, get 1t, then
prosecute him for doing what public
sentiment drives him to do. Finally.
do we increase the allowance of the
spendthrlft to cure his folly, or do we
limit his means of wasting by COM
polling him to carefully use his money
or suffer the consequence, Who ever
heard OF increasing the facilities of
the inehriate to get rum as a safe
means of making him better? or the
opium eater by freely giving him all
he thinks he needs. A deep-seated
disease can't be cured in a moment.
tEme and diligent application is often
necessary to effect a cure So Of the
calamity that involves this nation in
sadness, time and a careful outstanding
Of resources already within our reach
will do more than all the currency rem
edies put together, in res oring conf
dence and bringing back the good old
times, so reverently spoken Of, buc
everyone is so 0ery careful not to be
the first to begin to initiate.
HOW IT WORKS.
It is reported Of Belknak, that he
sold the privilege of post trade for
-, 900 dollars. and that the trader in
creased the price of his goods to re-
emburse him self for this extra outlay,
so that the poor customers that bought
of him had to pay the extra money
So of every species of extravaganza,
the poor laborer has it to pay in the
end. again fast merchant wishing
to cut a swell, rents store for TO. 600
dollars year, Of course dwelling and
style OF living must be kept up to cor
respond To meet these extraordinary
expenses, his goods must be marked
up, or his customers must be cheated
in quality, or knavery of some kind
must be resOrtea TO to meet these in
creased expenses, Or he must fail; in
either case the poor must pay for all
this extravaganza. Goods sold under
such circumstances are scattered all
over the lard and retailed according to-
cost, so shat the customer pays the
extra money that keeps up such lavish
expenditures in our great cities.
HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
Until the people come to their right
senses and practice prudence and econ
omy long enough to allow our yearly
surplus to pay up some Of our extra
debts contracted over and above Our
necessary wants, also learn to live with.
I'D our means, then will times grow
rapidly better. Until then we ought to
suffer for oar folly, provided the soil.
the mine, the forest, the waters, andi
our manufactures, shall yield Of their
abundance, as in times past, also that
health shall continue to favor our land
as, heretofore.
The most momentus question Of all
u.s. are the people Of the I. S., with
all their enlightenment, christianity,
and natural abilities for every emer-
gency, equal to the correct solution of
the difficulties now confronting them?
Can we withstand the seductive wiIes
Of great prosperity such as, existed up
to Sept 'z3, and not be ruined soul
and body? For who can be 50 blind
as to assert that poverty and not mis-
application of great wealth is the trne
cause of Of present trouble? The An
clients were ruined by prosperity.
Shall Moderns prove themselves more
wise? or shall our country go down
in ruin, because Cod has been lavish
in his bountiful gifts to our country.
H. H. HECOX.
March %, 1916
p