Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-09
Last Year and This.

that another year has rolled around.
After having been present at the par
ticular season, when the above remark
is apropos, a score and half of times
and upward, it begins to appear that it
becomes so with. greater frequency
each year
Looking backward the fight of time
from January l., 1906, to the present
seems to have been accomplished in a
very much abbreviated interval, and
yet between the two points there was
crowded world of triumphs and de-
feats, joys and sorrows for each and
every one of the people on earth who
lived at any time during the twelve
month.
Taking general retrospective view
over the past year, it cannot but be re-
solved that it was most notable one
in many respects. Never before in the
history of the country has there been
enjoyed such widespread prosperity in
every line of business. On every hand
the evidences of national prosperity
are presented and in it shared every
interest represented in the commercial
and industrial world.
The immensity of the crops and the
high prices prevailing formed COM
bination which never has before to the
degree been enjoyed by the agricultur-
lists of the country. 1t may be said
that the usual farmers lament, that
when prices are good he has nothing to
sell and when he has plenty to sell he
can get nothing for it, was not heard
in 1906. There has been an unprece-
dented demand for labor in every
branch of industry, and the higher
scale of wages that has almost univer-
sally been operative has made it possi
BILE for the skilled and unskilled work.
man to share more adequately in the
general prosperity. The capacity of
the manufacturing institutions of the
country has been taxed to the utmost
to supply the extraordinary domestic
and foreign demand. The year 1906
was a record-breaker for material pros
perity, and if 1907 can equal its prede-
cessor in the production of that par
ticular brand of prosperity. the next
twelve months will find the wealth Of
the country increased as never before
in period of like extent.
If 1906 is only to be credited with
having produced worldly wealth, it
ought at least be given honorable men
tion for having tried to create an out
put of spiritual wealth. 1t was not
fixed by fate for any social or econom-
ical revolutions; there were no wars of
any consequence waged; there were
none of what might be entitled to be
classed as great inventions or discover
les made; there were no religious move
ments or revivals inaugurated; and yet
1906 will be entitled to be placed on
record as one in which there was more
hard and sound thinking done along the
lines of bettering the moral conditions
of social, business and political life thar
in any year in the country's history
In it there was accomplished goot
deal toward creating demand for the
clean administration of governmental
affairs, public trusts, and for the pro
lection of the interests Of the people
against the baneful business methods
, of large corporations.
The new year, in succeeding to th'
responsibility of doing its share in th
regard, has been assigned task which
lit does it as well as 1906 performed
it's part, the good work started will re
suit in benefits that will endure 70
), time unlimited.