Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1895-03-08

ness interests. II the dark pic
ture so graphically painted by
the editor of the Lumberman is
not already presented to the
world by the American people,
the tendency is toward it. and
no better time than now, when
every vital element of truth and
honesty is in demand to sustain
the pablo and private financial
credit of this country, can he
found to correct this unhealthy
state of things. A few extracts
from the article referred to shows
the bold, fearless stand for the
right taken by the Lumberman:
"Anybudv who has been but casual
observer oi events IN tins country must
have been iorcIbly impressed with the
I recent growing tendency to dishonesty
/ and downright viliaiuy mpOl,t,cs, official
lite, corporate responsibility and private
business obligations. There may be as
many honest men in all these relations
today as at any period of the cOuntry's
history, hut 1t LOOKS as Il there were Ger
| tainly an augnentlns number of rank
rascaiS.
In PLATA. everyday business lie, the
/ filth OF politics and the rotteuneSS Oi the
big corporations has dipped down and
I L..
/ aud honorable methods are the exception
and not the rule, as they should be. Com
petition inspires business men to deeds of
| downright dishonesty, to lying, bribery,
and robbery III order to keep pace with
their rivals. 1t has come to this, it
seems, that business cannot be done at a
profit on strictly honest principles any
more than a troop could travel through
| the country of the Arabs with the olive
| branch OF peace as its only weapon. The
dagger of competition is unshcdthed, and
| the business man must use 1t or tall I'm the
fight 1t is the dishonesty and corrup-
| ton OF the times which pervadcs the EN-.
tire community from top to bottom,
affecting politics, administration, cor
porations, and individuals.
although there is not a sufficiently
high moral standard, as affecting busi.
ness, prevailing III thus country, and the
tendency is to worse condition, even
than now prevails. There needs To be q
revival of old fashioned hoaOr. Ii has
come to this that we must have achang(
in this respect or the whole business tab
rio will topple to destruction. Already
our dishonest, fraudulent methods IL
respect to corporate management have
discredited us abroad, and Americas st
curities are rafting home to he rcdcemed
This is one OF the more important elc
mcnts i'll the prevailing business anc
financial depression. 1t is wlthdra wing
European capital from this country at I
rapid rate, and forcing redemption o
securities on many OF our own capital
lists who are just now poorly equipped
for the ordeal. 1t is paralyzing enterprise
in the extension and Improvement Oi rail
way properties and the larger industries
Such has been the impairment OF the laitl
OF our own people i'll the integrity OF mel
, who have the management OF our cor
porations and their securities, that 1t i
now nearly impossible to float new
: issues, and thus development is at
standstill, and thousands are deprived q
employment and forced to beggary an,
led int o crime. The evil OF dishonesty i
working out its dire results. and the wis
dom OF the prcccpt, Honesty is the hes
policy, is being illustrated.
The main cause OF the evils here rccite
!, is an overweening greed tor money t
satisfy an eXtravagant way OF living
The people at large have an insane desIr
for the indulgenceS which money affords
They want the power eiegancies, plea:
ures, and social position which come {
wealth. The common people, and til
smart, ambitious. though low-mindc
and vulgar people, have imbibed til
D., notion that each can become prince ,
fortune if he make sufficient effort. Thi
passion for money, and all that it i'll
plies, has become SO strong as to d.
! throne conscience and reason, leadin
A., men to have a contempt tor anythln
: that docs not lead to wealth. This is til
. trouble which is affecting the American
! people today, debauchinS politics, oihci;
,, life, business, and even, it is to be iearet
y the judiciary and the clergy. A reform {
: moral sentiment and purpose must |
:. wrought among the masses, or the II;
. ton will 60 to destruction, undermine
and disntegrated by corruption, as ha,
several OF the nations OF past history.
: is to be hoped that there is yet suthcier
|, moral salt in the nation to save it, BIT
its renovating influence should be speed
I lily and necessarily applied III order t
check the present rapid tendency towar
decay and death.