The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-09-15
DEaENERACY IN LINCOLN


Slowly but surely the degrading and
degenerating influences of millionair-
ism works westward. Lincoln is city
of universities, the center of culture,
and here, If anywhere, we ought to be
able to withstand the advance of waste
full expenditure and the yulgarity of
the rich. But it is slowly creeping in
upon us. Occasionally carriage ap-
pears on our streets drawn by bob
tailed horses and driven by coach
man in livery. 1t is true that the boys
have fashion of getting after it on
bicycles, riding in a bunch in the rear,
but they will soon tire of that and
then more liveried coachmen will be
on the front seat and footmen will be
seen sitting up behind with look Of
vacuity spread all over their faces,
while the lady inside will wear the
richest robes. Then the Charity Or
ganization society will have more cases
of suffering to investigate and the ele-
mosynary institutions will be as full
in the west as they are now in the east.
In some OF the upper class restau-
rants and hotels in Lincoln the tip
ping system is being introduced.
Nothing is more degenerating than
that system. 1t is fostered and encour-
aged by every plutocrat. 1t makes of
him, he thinks, being somewhat SUI
perior to ordinary human clay. Every
man who consents to receive gift is
degraded thereby. as well as the proud
plutocrat who bestows it.
This tipping business is arranged by
the proprietors. In the first place the
guest is forced to do part of the book
keeping of the concern, by writing out
in detail upon regular billhead every
thing which he wishes to consume upon
that occasion. These bills are carefully
preserved and filed away among the
accounts Of the concern. After the
articles ordered in writing are con-
sumed, then the waiter brings back the
written account on silver plate and
the guest puts his money upon it. The
waiter again disappears for while
and comes back with lot OF small
change on the silver plate, being the
change that is due you. II you take
what belongs to you from the plate
and leave none for the waiter, the
mind power" OF the whole institution
is brought to bear upon you in the
endeavor to make you feel like an es-
capped convict. Moreover the next time
that you appear at that restaurant or
hotel table, you will be permitted to
sit half an hour before anyone knows
of your presence. All this is for in
creasing the proprietor's profits above
what he adyertiseS he will sell his
goods for, and for the further purpose
of reducing the wages of labor. In
every one of these institutions where
tips are expected the wages of walters
is reduced. In some places the walters
pay the proprietor bonus to be al
lowed to act as waiter without wages.
The whole process is degenerating.
But it is coming upon us and will in
crease as long as the dollar is put be-
fore the man. Here in the west, before
wealth was worshipped and men were
despised, if a man had anything to sell
from a meal of victuals to a quarter
section Of land, he stated his price and
If it was deemed satisfactory, the trade
was made. 1t was all manly. upright
and uplifting. No one was disgraced
by asking or receiving gifts or any pre-
tense made that one was getting some
thing for nottingham which there is
nothing more degenerating in all the
world.
Against all this populism presents
protest. 1t wants first of all, men and
women. Men and women with bright
eyes, clear heads and good consciences.
Men and women who will scorn gifts,
who wish to return to all full payment
for all that they receive. Populism
stands for uplifting the human race
and protests vigorously against its
degeneration. Upward and onward is
its MOTTO
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QUEER LOGICIANs