The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-12-06
Correspondence SOMERSET PRRss
FROM COLUMBUS.
The Treatment of Drunkenness,

seems TO be division OF opinion among
the members as to whether il is disease.
DR.. G. T. Widney, Superintendent OF St.
Lyuis Sanitarium, to whom those afflicted
oan apply, treats drunkenness, when habit
ual, az disease, and sites cases Of cure
DIR. Earle Opposes this view, because it de-
s,roys the whole responsibility Of the indi-
vidual. DIR. Wilson is in favor Of grad
usl reduction Of the dose--believes in "ta-
dering sff'.' More were permanently cured
when thus treated than when subjected to
sudden breaking of. Drs. Earle Broth
ers favored cutting of the supply at once,
and 80 the discussion proved that Doctors
disagree in treatment, but agree that some
treatment is needful and that cure is pos
sible. It would be a sad catastrophe to
those who live by leoturing on total absti-
nence, if their occupationiis thus invaded
by the Dsciplss Of Esculapius, who would
substitute pills for eloquence in curing in
temperance, and teach reliance on Asy-
lums for inebriates in place of the Gospel
of the temperance saints who acknowledge
its weakness by seeking Legislation and CO.
srsion, and thus leave US in doubt whether
to law or to gospel the reform is mainly
due. The doctors rely on neither law nor
gospel, but fight the battle with medicine
and turnkoys.
RAIL ROAD PROFITS,
like Democratic victories in Massachusetts,
have become rather exceptional to be relied
ON annually, and the difference in the reg
ular income Of United States Bond on
the one hand and Railroad Bond on the
other, Is not encouraging to the latter class
of securities. When reflect how much
the rail roads of America have contributed
to the development of values and settle
ment Of new states. feel like thanking
somebody's money for building them, and
making that money draw interest to iti
subscriber. But to do this in all cases, i,
about as possible as to levy tax on each
acre Of land proportioned to the benefit il
has received from sun and air and labor
II can't be done. But do say, and an
Joyful in proclaiming what is demonstra
bly, true that every road in America can b'
made to pay interest on fair valuation
II the road cost more than il is worth IL
coin or greenbacks, it must be reduced t.
this standard and on this basis TO proclaim
a dividend to every share holder, provide
nl,cays, economy Of operating expenses b
observed by honest officers and employees
and the tariff Of rates for freights and pas
seuaers be regulated BY sound judgmen
and reduced to the price that insures tn
most tonnage and the most passengers.
TIE HOLLAND AND BELGIUM RAILROAD
are conducted on these principles. 1
Holland cent per mile for passengers an
a corresponding tariff for freight insure
12to IA per cent on her rail roads, and
Belgium 1t cents per mile, and the cost
railroads amounting to S1Oo.0OO,0oO, (no
reduced by funding to SsO,000,00O) yisl
gross income of sIs. 900, 900 per annun
Deduct 6 per cent. for expenses and 10 p'
cent net profit is the result. Now obser'
that draw these figures from official sou
ces, that they are not put out as kiters
stock on the market but as solemn trutl
and that
Low RATES
of freight and fare, like low rates OF pof
age, bring to the treasury more money th'
high rates and you have the alchemy tn
will convert all American rail roads in
paying investments on cost capital
duced to an homes, basis Of expenditu
and operating outlays.
When our rail road management is ]
duced to low salaries and honest account
bility, our passenger rates and freight Il
riffs invite the maximum travel and traff
the social, political and commercial CONF
tion Of America will become the wond
and the guiding light Of the world.
When this happy condition, now depe
dent upon the rail road men of Ameri
shall supsrvene, will depend on sheir clt
conception Of he facts and principles
have enunciated in this article, and Il
Il Is not far distant, am the more ready
predict, because when one rail road conn
ny has tested them and realizes success,
others will be forced to follow BY mott
Of self preservation and self inter-
Thus few companies by first reduc
stock and bonds TO fair basis and then
ducing freight and passage in corresp
ding ratio, finding a fair dividend at
end Of the year, will demonstrate the fe
ibility Of the policy and this may hapl
in few years hence, and insure univel
adoption, and that grand era of CHI
transportation that will induce hundr
TO travel when only tens are now seen,
enable those thousands and millions v
have hitherto precludsd, to visit and 8
stituie happiness and comfort for the W
aud restraints that now affiiot them
pen and press usher in this happy day
HARD TIMES
prevent thousands Of families in each
the eastern and many Of the western ST.
from going west, where they can get i
for taking il, or buy it al low rates. "a
was only there" is the frequent excla
ton of persons whs have no home In
older states, or who have one and find it
sufficient for a living, or for the grow
wants of an increasing family. The '
will settle up with people the east car
employ IL the question Of transportat
Chat is getting there,) were settled to
them. To Colonies this question is
resolving itself to suit them and sxcur
rates, which carry passengers 1000 m
for 80 90 il meeting the popular dem;
but these rates need be mere frequent
more permanent to pay the railroad ant
so meet the financial wants Of the Z
grant.
Tai 49, tha Cha aarf,1I Gida