The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1895-04-25
The Cost Of Living.

SIc6GAy IouuCou III tuo l6St tuAIty
years, and that at the same time there
has been q material increase in the
rates of pay for all kinds Of services.
This should mean that wage-earners
have accumulated q handsome sur
plus, and that the world goes well
with them in every respect. As a
matter of fact, however, such is not
the case. The advantages in question
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 q ma
jority of instances the opportunity
thus presented for securing reasona-
BILE Independence and putting some
thing aside for the proverbial rainy
day has not been duly improved
During the good times that prevailed
for SO many years the general ten
dency was towards personal and FAM
lily improvidenoe. Men spent their
money as fast as they earned it, and
when their wages were raised it sim
ply meant to them that much more
luxury and pleasure. They were not
willing to refuse themselves unneces-
sary things for the purpose of pro-
viding against future misfortune;
they lived up to the full limit of their
income and left tomorrow to take
care of itself. Instead of cultivating
the saving habit, they became ex-
travagant and laughed at the idea Of
self-denial and prudent calculation.
It is a notorious truth that the
American people, with all their in
dustry, enterprise and financial skill,
are a nation of spendthrifts in rela-
tions where economy should be con-
stantly and resolutely practiced.-
This is really the greatest difficulty
in the adjustment Of questions pre-
tanning to labor and business. Our
style of living is such that ordinary
rules cannot be applied to the solu-
ton of ordinary problems. We are
subject to the restraining and thwart-
ing effect Of certain arbitrary infu-
ences which exist only by our own
permission, and which we insist upon
prolonging in plain opposition to our
own interests. If we were disposed
to make the most of our chances of
cheap living, many of the issues
which we find 80 troublesome in our
affairs would settle themselves. But
we will not consent to try the disci-
pine OF systematic economy as a
remedy for any Of our ills. The d.
minished prices Of all articles Of me-
cessity do not help us as they should,
because the gain which comes to us
in that way is neutralized by expen.
ditures for things that could be dis.
pensed with if we cared to pursue q
frugal course. This is illustrated
every day, among all classes Of soci
ETY.. The spirit Of wastefulness il
continually in evidence, and it has
far more to do with our besettine
public troubles than we are apt tc
think when looking for means o.
relief.
| If the truth could be known, i
would probably appear that at leas1
nine-tenths Of our citizens live up t.
or beyond their income. The desir'
for show, for enjoyment, for socia
recognition, drains the purse to tn
last dollar, and leaves no provision
for possible disappointment or en-
barassment. This tendency is al
!. tributable in some measure, of course
to the conditions which make GU
country superior to any other in ia
cilities Of prosperity. Any man VIII
is willing to work can thrive wher
} there are SO many favorable circuu
stances; and thus the sense Of cau
, ton is dulled, and money is spen
more freely than Il would be II it di