New-York tribune., 1905-02-09
Houses0f'0es' Exchange,

BAD PUBLIC MANNERS-THEIR REMEDY.
think that one of the chief Of the lack
OF good manners in the American public is the
haste IN which Americans live The life Of an
American. when contrasted with that Of an Eng
ushman, is Ike the Empire State Express on the
New-York Central Railroad compared with the old
fashioned bus st1u in in the streets of Lon
don. I have doubt whatever that If we should
moderate haste would improve our manners
and in the same ratio.
II has been said. an excuse for our lack OF
public manTers, that Americans too busy to be
polite but the invaldity Of that excuse Is apparent
its very face It is fact beyond question that
some of busiest men and women the most
deferential and the most polite There is nothing
antagonstio between activity and courtesy. and the
one fits In naturally with the other.
The American has very strong individuality.
with q pronounced sense of the ego and this
has accentuated and emphasized a lack Of courtesy
that seems to have been born IN many Of
American people. In the mad rush for prefer
Inent many are crushed under foot srd the rights
OF others are disregarded This Is largely due to
thoughtfulness. rather than deliberate intent.
do not think that wealth or position has any
thing do with bad public manners. The shop
girl and the operagoer are equally at fault in this
particular.
The creation OF good public manners takes place
n childhood. child trained properly IN this
regard the viii not lack in alI the
elements Of poIteness. The French child is under
stricter discipline than the American child, and this
may be said also OF the German child with the well
known results.
Another suggestion seems to be of importance
and that is that pOliteness is very strong breeder
. Courtesy creates and intensites atmosphere Of
affabiHty and poIiteness. We only increase
good by adding each TO the general fund
and viii find that every investment in this
fund win draw very high rate of interest
We should confOund courtesy with efTeni
macy. There IS nothing weak or puertls in polite
( ness II is. on the contrary, the expression OF
I strength and robustness. 1t is not the polteness
( Of the ballroom that want much. Our chief
concern should be the COED manners Of the street
the office and the store. I believe that q better
day Is dawning. II will shine forth in full
F splendor and beauty. From the American million
eire the American WorkiugTnan the practice OF
good will be general and pro-
nOunceG- There are many evidences or this all
about US and the least is the constant ag1ta-
ton IN the press in favor Of more even tempered
grows like plant, and from very small seed. It
requires. however, constant and asstduous nurture
but with proper and attention il is sure to
: thrive in any soil.
! The question Of climate may have something to
do with public manners, the warmer latttudes pro-
ducing milder and urbane class Of people,
while the northern appear TO foster rtgfdity
stitutonal. very difficult acquire q polite
manner If has not into possession OF II in
+ childhood All these conditions are subordinate ted
( to the fundamental principle to be found in the
; Golden Rule. If lives held up to that
! high and lofty standard OF living there would be
3 no complaint OF our public manners Of our prt-
vate, either. The altruistic spirit must prevail II
we are TO show the proper consideration for our
fellow men n. B. V. G.
3 Kingston Y