The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-20
THE COST OF LIVING.

THE COST OF LIVING.
We Can buy More Than Ever Before. but
the Trouble IS That We Also Want
More.
From the St. Louis Globe Democrat.
The statistics show that the cost Of
living In this country has been greatly
reduced In the last thirty years, and
that at the same time there has been a
material Increase In the rates Of pay for
all kinds of services. This should mean
that wage-earners have accumulated a
handsome surplus, and that the world
goes well with them in every respect.
AS matter of fact, however, such Is
not the case. The advantages In ques-
tion have not been worth as much to
the people as they might have been,
because the best practical use has not
been made of them. In a majority OF
instances the opportunity thus pre-
sented for securing reasonable inde-
pendence and putting something aside
for the proverbial rainy day has not
been duly improved. During the good
the general tendency was toward per-
sonal and family improvidence. Men
spent their money as fast as they
earned ii, and when their wages were
raised 1t simply meant to them that
much more luxury and pleasure. They
were not willing to refuse themselves
things for the purpose OF providing
against future misfortune; they lived
up to the full limit of their income and
left tomorrow to take care of itself. In
stead of cultivating the saving habit
they became extravagant and laughed
at the idea of self-denial and prudent
calculation.
A Nation Of Spendthrifts.
1t is a notorious truth that the Ameri-
can people, with all of their industry,
enterprise and financial skill, are ma
tion of spendthrifts in relations where
economy should be constantly and reso-
lutely practiced. This is really the
greatest difficulty in the adjustment of
questions pertaining to labor and bust.
ness. Our style Of living Is such that
ordinary rules can not be applied to tn.
solution of ordinary problems. We are
subject to the restraining and thwart-
Ing effect of certain arbitrary influences
which exist only by our own permis-
sion, and which we insist upon prolong-
ing In plain opposition to our own inter-
ests. If we were disposed to make the
most Of our chances of cheap living,
many Of the issues which We find SO
| troublesome in our affairs would settle
themselves. But we will not consent
to try the discipline of systemati tic
economy as a remedy for any Of our
ills. The diminished prices of all arti-
cles of necessity do not help us as they
should, because the gain which comes
to us in that way is neutralized by ex-
penditures for things that could be dis
pensed with IL We cared to pursue a
frugal course. This Is illustrated ev-
cry day, among all classes Of society.
The spirit of wastefulness Is continual
ly in evidence, and 1t has far more to
do with our besetting public troubles
than we are apt to think when looking
for means of relief.
Live Beyond Their Means.
If the truth could be known, 1t would
probably appear that at least nine
tenths Of our citizens live up to or be-
yond their income. The desire for
show, for enjoyment, for social recog-
milton, drains the purse to the last dol
lar, and leaves no provision for possi-
BILE disappointment and embarrass-
ment. This tendency is attributable
in some measure, Of course, to the con-
ditions which make our country SUI
perior to any other in facilities Of pros
perity. Any man who Is willing to
work can thrive where there are so
many favorable circumstances; and
thus the sense of caution Is dulled, and
money Is spent more freely than 1t
would be If 1t did not come In such a
comparatively easy way. We are all
optimists, with unlimited faith In the
future, and a certain characteristic con-
tempt for plodding and deliberate
methods Of getting along in the world.
The patient and steady accumulat ton
of money in small quantities, by doing
without what we do not really need,
Is contrary to our national tempera-
ment and philosophy; and yet that Is
the only true theory of success, all
things considered. 1t IL by the habit
of saving that fortune can be most
surely made friendly to the individual
and to a country. That is the lesson
of history, of personal experience, Of all
plans that have ever been devised for
the promotion Of material welfare and
happiness; and the best of wisdom lies
in giving heed to 1t. instead of lightly
preferring O different policy.