Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-10-27

living compulsory, but we doubt wheth-
er this reflection will have any infiu-
ence In checking the desire for wealth.
1t IL even possible that great many
people would prefer shorter life and
n larger income to the prospect Of Ion
gevity and limited means.
We are obliged now to chronicle the
fact that club has been formed In o
nearby city by divorced men who call
themselves 1.-The Concatenated Order
Of Has.Beens." This organization, IL
Is said, will build club house and en-
deavor to attract attention In various
ways, probably having baseball
matches between fat and lean mines Sc.
lected from It's membership and getting
up benefits ut theaters and other places
for itself. 1t Is difficult to be patient
with such people. Possibly some of the
divorced husbands in the town were
wronged. They may have been justi-
fed In seeking freedom. But there can
be no justification for desire upon
the part of any one who Is u divorced
man TO parade himself as such. Cad
cooks! What II the divorced husbands
Of every city We're to form clubs?
Where could building sites for business
houses be found? And II the divorced
men are going to form clubs the d.
vorced women will be wanting to do
something of the kind next. That
would be too much! This club bust
ness Is being carried too far anyway. 1t
has come to pass that person who
doesn't belong to one or more clubs Is
almost curiosity, and rs for society.
1t Is nothing but cOnglomeration OF
clubs. There are mems clubs, there are
wOmen's clubs. there IRE country clubs,
there are driving clubs. wheel clubs,
auto clubs. golf clubs, tennis clubs and
card clubs Of many kinds. In fact, 1t
seems to have become customary when
ever or Wherever two or three are gath.
cred together. by chance or otherwise,
to form a club of some kind. All this
must, In the natural order Of things,
come to a stop sooner or later. The line
must be drawn somewhere, and we
guess the proper place to draw 1t is ut
the divorced peoples club. The men,
bers of the divorced mems club should
be ashamed Of themselves.
The development of manual training
schools and departments In our high
schools for the study Of bookkeeping,
stenOgraphy and other branches con-
nected with clerical work would seem
at first glance to be an unmixed bless
ing. As pointed out by Supt. Nightin-
gale, Of the Chicago schools, the pupils
who complete such courses are ready
to take positions Immediately on leav-
Ing school, and become self.supporting.
The importance of being equipped by
the State, without cost, for the inevIta-
BILE struggle for existence Is easily seen,
but such equipment, II granted at all,
should be uniform. To increase the
number Of bookkeepers or stenogra-
pliers In this way Is certainly a dis
elimination against the people who are
now making a living In such branches.
1t Is uncomfortable that business men
should encourage the growth of cleri-
cal ideal In pupils or method Of pub
lie education that will reduce wages in
particular occupations, and apart
from this 1t Is little less than crime
to teach young men shorthand. True,
the study Is optional, but 1t Is a tempt
ing chance. and since the announce
ment was made great many who have
no definite aims as to the future have
drifted into this practical opportunity
which Is SO temptingly placed before
them. The youth who knows short
hand Is handicapped. While he Is act
ing as an amenuensls, and doing mere
ly mechanical work, his possibly less
accomplished schOolmate is receiving a
smaller salary, but plugging away at
some trade or business that will ulti-
mately bring its reward In a spirit Of
independence and knowledge the pos
sible reward Of which may be a com.
Portable existence. A good stenogra-
pher Is too valuable to the promoted.
Instances might be given In answer to
this, where stenOgraphers have risen
above their positions by the influence
of their employers. There are many
such cases, but they depend on a spe-
Giles of charity and are exceptional. If
boy wishes to become professional
reporter for the courts, lectures, etc.,
It Is another question. He cannot bring
too much intelligence or physical ca.
pacity for the nervous strain Of these
positions, and he may make money;
but the public school is not the place
for him to receive the training, any
more than 1t would be II he desired to
become journalist. a physician, or q
lawyer, unless the system Of public in
! structiOn 10 to develop into the fitting