The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-01-15
A FEW
BRIEFS
BY ALEX s. ARNOLD.
Woonsocket. II. /.

Editor Providence News:
i send a few more briefs:
Q. Suicide is undoubtedly increasing,
not, however, because men are growing
worse, but because idleness even with
luxurious surroundings tends in many re-
spects towards self-destruction, while the
sight OF so much ease and luxury tends
largely 10 create dissatisfaction with pri-
vations among the masses. When our
honored forefathers were forced 10 nght
for existence itself. when the bane neces-
sities were about all they expected to OBJ
tain, yet when few feared the loss or
their jobs, suicide was rare. fully demon
strating the fact that one OF the most
essential requisites of happiness and con-
tentment IL the blessing of labor. one
of the greatest reasons of suicide Is the
loss OF employment and the failure TO
secure another job. The amount or one
wage Is not within haillng distance OF
the feeling OF depre that results from
being compelled TO be idle from failure
TO obtain work How many instances oc-
cur during a strike when elderly men, es-
pecialy, having nothing for their families
TO eat or coal to keep warm, commit sui
eide. and how many, whose places are
taken by younger men, end life by self
destruction. And yet professors, with
incomes. speak disparagingly of such UNI
fortunates; nevertheless, let these well 10
do disparagers but change places with
the men they condemn and there would
be two suicides from poverty where now
there Is one
10. Congressman Sullivan OF Massa-
chusotts Is anxious TO inaugurate free
trade throughout North and South Amer
lea. why? Certainly not that we are
having depressed times; but undoubtedly
because competition would become so
keen that wages would drop TO half the
present rate and then Sui could live so
cheap
H. Rev. Dr. Atwood visited Washing
ton and attended congressional sessions,
during which he received the impression
that Uncle Joe Cannon was not cut out
for a great man, he correctness OF which
estimate few wnI dispute. Nevertheless,
Uncle Joe. is armed so strong i'm honesty.
moral courage and firm determination
that. as much as lieth in him. he VIII en-
sure employment for wage earners, tho
speaker OF the house has become the
leader and superior OF a score or more
of men whose intellectual ability towers
far above precious Uncle Joe Cannon.
He ought to be an Inspiration 10 thou-
sands OF ambitious politicians In learning
the lesson that goodness Is character
istic which pays In securing the respect
OF OtnGIs, dGu WIltl NhllnOh bNN -
source OF happiness all through life.
Uncle Joe's brain is not especially large
but the quality has seldom been eN-
celled. The quality OF the ingredients
OF a mans belfrey generally count long
after the quantity has ceased to conf
mand attention
The inhabitants OF our blessed little
commonwealth are opposed 10 hanging
even for murder, especially as the last
man we legally murdered was undoubted-
ly innocent. Nevertheless, II Vermont
persists I'm hanging men we Rhode ISL
auders see no reason worthy OF consid-
Grafton why women should be exempted
from the penalty. Mrs. Rogers cold
blooded crime was undoubtedly the nat
ural outcome OF conscience born asleep
and never awakened from its original
slumbers. Just before the execution OF
Guitteau I was asked IL l believed him
insane. / promptly replied affirmatively
Then. did not believe in hanging him? to
which | made reply, l am opposed TO
hanging in Rhode Island, but as long as
our nation hangs those who murder. see
no reason why Guitteau should not be
executed. not so much, however, for as
sassnation as for the awful crime Of
wilfully becoming insane by rejoicing
over the murder OF Alexander III OF Rus
Sia.