Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-06-12
UNCLE SAM IN DISGRAcE!
Meat Packers Humble Him Before
the World.

Much has been cabled about the ef-
feet in Europe of the Chicago beef
exposures, says a London cable to the
News and Courier but II Is difficult to
give an adequate idea of the world
wide fury and horror created by Upton
Snclairs novel, THE Jungle" and
daily dispatches to European newspa-
pers.
1t is frequently said here that Amer
lean memories are short, and the
American public the most tolerant OF
abuse of any In the world but the
manufacturers of American food pro-
ducts will not find either Of these char
acteristics among European consum-
ers The effect of the recent disclos-
ures will last at least half genera
ton. The prejudice which has been
created makes no discrimination, and
no reform or protests will affect 1t.
This is not due altogether to the
specific scandal of the Chicago packing
houses. These revelations have come
as a climax to long series OF expos
ures with which American kilograms
to English and European papers have
teemed for many months. The Old
World has come to believe In general
terms that American business methods
are rotten. 1t Is a sad thing to write
of the reputation of ones country, but
il Is the simple truth, and truth had
better be told without disguise. 1t will
| take more than a paper reorganization
of the great life insurance companies
and the cleaning Of the augean stables
at Chicago to restore European belief
in American honesty and fair dealing.
1t will be a long time before public
opinion on this side Of the Atlantic will
have any confidence In American cor
porate reform.
One thing, and one thing only, will
have any real effect In Europe. When
America begins to send its greatest
criminals to Jail Europe will begin to
believe that there is real standard OF
morality in the country. The admin
istration of Justice In the United States
Is today the subject Of open ridicule
and contempt throughout Europe.
| The Spectator, at the end Of long
article on the beef scandal, goes as
near as ii dares in friendly criticism,
when 1t says that Eng!ishmen will be
of the opinion that the recent disclos-
ures ought to be followed by criminal
prosecutions, and in the event Of con-
victions by severe punishment. 1t re-
mains to be seen whether the American
authorities will adopt an equally rig
orous reading of their duties.
The Spectator also says that THE
two worlds have been shocked and In
furiated. Chicago packing houses ap-
pear to combine pretty well all the
characteristic evils which degrade our
civilization. They are recklessly sell
| fish. They stop at no offence that
promises to serve their purpose. They
are grossly oppressive to those In their
employ. They are familiar with every
kind of fraudulent method for disguis-
ing diseased offal which 1t pleases them
to sell as meat. They know how to
square officials II they are threatened
| by so much as the shadow of suspi-
cion. They have not even tried to
conceal their misdeeds."
In the face of such language as the
foregoing in the most conservative and
friendliest of English publications 1t
becomes the duty, however, painful, OF
any conscientious correspondent to In
form his countrymen Of the indictment
which the world at large Is bringing
against them, and to warn them that
| il is not corporate criminals alone who
are being arraigned. 1t Is the whole
American people, who stand today at
the bar Of public opinion before their
sister nations.
Never before has American CONNER
| cial honor been so attacked abroad.
Never before have American people
| been so criticised for neglecting their
| primary public duties. England and
| France and Germany and other ma
tio7s are waiting to see how America
will vindicate herself before the eyes
| Of the world.