The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-07-27
An Admirable Temperance Lesson.

Well, my friends, we have held a lyceum
in the weave room during the noon hour,
writes New England correspondent
There was only small attendance, but the
interest taken In the meeting was very
marked. The reason for this exciting meet.
ing was that we had visitor In the mill
this forenoon. Now that is not uncommon,
for We quite frequently have callers here,
but this one interested nearly all of us, for
he was the assessor. He walked around
the room with plug hat on his head and
big book under his arm asking each and
every one about their possessions and levy
ing tax on everything possible. Now
fancy hear some one say, Well, what OF
that? That is done In every place, every.
body has to pay taxes. Well, think not;
for instance, there is young lady, or
rather say an old maid, whom l have In
mind. She has worked steadily for the
past fifteen years and has taken care of
herself and mother, She has, by economy
and industry, bought and paid for little
cottage OF four rooms and tiny lawn and
garden spot She has also purchased
piano, and has nice gold watch and has
treated herself to a bicycle, so that she
may now go home and enjoy a nice warm
dinner that the aged mother loves to pre-
pare for her, as she fondly declares food
tastes better when Fannie Is at the table,
too. Now upon an average this girl makes
only about $3.50 per day and she has ac-
complished this In fifteen years. Now l
have a man In mind whose hair is fast
turning silver colored and who, for at least
twenty-seven years, has made on an aver
age Of ~ per day and about one-third Of
the time has drawn S2.50 per day. do not
think he has five cents that he can call his
own. Do you want to know whyY One
word will answer II all-whisky. |
was talking to him the other day,
asking him what he would do
few years hence. Already younger men
are hired instead Of him and the time is
not far distant when he will not be able to
get work at living wages, for he has abused
naturally strong constitution until he is
perfect wreck. He says there is q county
house for people who cannot take care OF
themselves, and as he has no folks he will
go there, for he knows he will be well fed
and have comfortable clothes. Now l, for
one, am proud OF the majorlty Of the homes
for the poor In these grand United States.
But don't you think that folks like him
should have a special place by themselves
Now we are told that the license money
from our saloons helps to defray the ex-
penses OF our cities. Well. IL they do, they
also help to I'LL our county houses with just
such weak-minded men and women as this
luuu uuS DctIs DTlnk nus btcH ulS Out ut-
setting enemy, and love for It and gratify-
ing his appetite has ruined him. Now II
license money helps to meet the clty's cur
rent expenses, why isn't a part OF It appro-
prlated for a home for men that the curse
Of drink has completely ostracised from
decent society This man looks the assessor
in the face and laughs when asked to name
anything he may possess that is subject to
taxation. and pointing to a post where
hung his old hat ana greasy coat, said,
"There are all my worldly goods; never
yet paid penny Of taxes" Now the poor
cid maid stops her loom and gives truth
full statement Of the property that she has
accumulated and is assessed for two-thlrds
value by that worthy assessor. He also
tells us that taxes are n little higher this
year because we had to bJild an addition
to the poor-house. We did not have room
enough for the inmates; and we, who have
been interviewed by that worthy man. pull
on the belts and send the shuttles to and
fro and wonder why 1t is that the idle and
improvldent shall still live of the sober and
Industrious and through our minds will
stray thoughts that this mode OF taxation
Is wrong somewhere, but as do not know
just how to regulate them am still puzzled.