The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-02
From the Washington Post.


 N NY one familiar with New Eng ]" land habits in earlier days VIII
 recall periodical observance which was universal in those parts known as house cleaning. It was no or dinary sweeping and dusting process. The entire habitation was given over to the women and turned inside out, furniture carried out doors, carpets taken up, and floors scrubbed from top to bottom. All the accumulated rubbish of the past year and the shabby furniture were exposed to the view of passers-by and the exist ence of the occupants made miserable and precarious for days.
 The country has been going through similarly disagreeable and equally neces- sarv experience. Grown gradually aware that in the absorption of outside affairs things had been altogether too much ielt to run themselves, and that, as happens in all establishments when not closely watched. holes have been formed and dirt and rubbish accumulated unoer staircases and in dark corners, Verlta- ble bosom of cleansing and renovation has set in and all the unsightly, dis rusting. and discreditable results of care- lessness and neglect bundled out into the street for the whole world to behold. Small wonder that many pass by on the other side holding their noses. But It IS A. temporary condition; the house itsef Is not tainted, and when 1t Is tnoroughly washed down, scrubbed. and fumigated' we will move in again and find it greatly ,nnroved by the process, and with the determination to keep 1t so clean hence- forth from day to day that It VIII not need another house cleaning for at least a generation to come. Seeing everything n,tcbed outside and exposed to view in sucb a reckless fashion, many who do not understand our ways of doing things have jumped to the conclusion that the entire structure must be hopelessly in fected or about to fall to pieces. Far from it.. The worst Is over and we shall soon be enjoying a sense of domestic se- curitv and cleanliness which will more than compensate for all the inconven- ,ance and modification we have experi- enced.
 People pesslmsically inclined are say ing that the exposures of pohticai cor ruption. corporate lawlessness and greed and commercial dishonesty, which nave been SO general and shocking are pouno to check our progress and bring pros perity to an end Exactly the opposite ei- feet should be looked for. NO cofhrherce can be stable or permanently prohtaoie which is honeycombed with fraud and oonducted contrary to established law What has happened must necessarily bring such conditions to an end' ana eV- cry man can now go into the marKets and carry on his business with an as- surance, that has long been lacKlns' tha' he will get what he pays for and that b,s neaehbors are not being given unfair advantages over him In trade The laws passed at the present session or Con eress fin regard to rates and rebates ana the inspection of products secure that, not only because they will be enforced, but because the agitation Of the subject has wrought a salutary and sweeping change in the temper and attitude oi the country toward those who have been guilty of bringing about the condition of demoralization which has existed.
 The business of the country will hence forth be on a sounder basis, securing a more genuine and lasting prosperity, and it will be more profitable when it is nc longer necessary or possible to give bribes and rebates. With little reflection the public will realize that what has happen ed is certainly going to make investments more profitable and safer than they nave ever been, and securities are bound te respond to the feeling of confidence which must grow up as this fact is realized. Ar effort is being made in the speculative markets to depress values, and the cry Is raised "too much Roosevelt, too much ,nvast;eation." intended doubtless tc frirhten of the further exposure ol wrongdoing and the pursuit Of awpreak CTS and speculators. by the menace oi bringing on a business revulsion. There ia no reason to apprehend that the move ,nant will be pushed that far. On the other hand. the new standards or non estv and obedience to law which are be. ing established will add a large percent age of safeness and value to every secur. ,tv now on the market and to new ones to be issued. Exposing frauds and punish ing eyildoers is going in the end to ado to values and not diminish them-
 Our national house cleaning has beer A hurniliating and unsavory process, bu, it has oeen thorough, and is now wei l ~wAx. ard with our business preraisei