The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-12-04
CHEAPNE IS.

Cheapness is usually considered to
mean great value for small invest
ment; that which is inexpensive" In
looking over the many ways In which
the word "cheapness" is used, we find
that many and varied meanings have
been attached TO IL, and that II has
been made 10 apply TO the conditions
and dispositions OF human beings as
well as TO inanimate things. In this
connection VIC shall consider il only
as it is made TO apply TO human be-
iDGs
We often hear some one spoken Of
as being cheap" or. In other words,
mean: niggardly. close-fisted; tight
wad," etc. in business transactions
and in social relations. etc. But let
us lay down this truth in the begin
ming. that II is not always the seem
ingly miscrly with his belongings who
is really cheap" for the one who may
spend lavishly Is ofttimes the cheap
est guy in the world. For instance
many men, men of wealth. men con-
trolling large commercial institutions,
men who, having acquired a compe-
tcnce have retired from business.
spend lavlshly for their own comforts
and the comfort ofthose around them
of their own kind but when the man
who is the real producer of their
wealth asks for a little increase in
order 10 purchase for himself and
those dear to him the bare necessities
of life, those same men become as
niggardly and mlSerly as sin Again.
great corporations spend without
stint for many useless things. and for
other things detrimental to the public.
but useful to them in prosecuting their
undertakings; but when asked TO
make an expenditure for the benefit
of the people from whom they have
received much. they shut up like a
clam.
But this is not applicable to people
OF means only; it may be just as aptly
applied TO those OF small means-even
to the wage Garner. We find human
nature much the same in both classes,
for that matter Many wage carners
in their way spend as laylshly as do
the others, and even more so, for they, ,
many of them, spend ALL they have
(while the other fellow doesn't go that
for) for that which does them no
good, and many times is a positive in
jury TO them. and do without the
things they really need; thus they
cheaper" themselves in the eyes OF
their more sensible friends On the
other hand. they may do the reverse.
aud be as Justly termed cheap" so
We see that either eXtreme-too much
or too little-has the same effect; it
"cheapens" the individual in his own
estimation md in that OF others. it
impairs his intellect, dwarfs his soul
and makes of him a mean, despisable
creature.
Some may define this as selfish Gu
Didity in either case. but 1t makes lit
tie difference. for the final results
are much the same,
There is another phase of this ques-
ton that 1 wish to speak of. and that
the middle and poorer classes should
consider well. Many times we hear
one spoken of as being cheap" be-
cause he does not engage in and
spend money for some OF the prac-
tlces or indulgences of his associates.
Consider we'll the objects and aims
OF the individual before applying this
epithet for that same person may In
reality be one OF the most magnanl-
nous and free-hearted of your asso-
ciates. but Is aiming at certain results
which II might profit you to emulate
Many times frugality is mistaken for
cheapness; and dare say many of us
do not know what constitutes the diff
fercnces. If union people would be
Just as frugal on the one hand. and as
generous on the other. as are our more
fortunate friends (?)-only in the
reverse order-it would not be long
until a very different story could and
would he told In other words, spend
no money foolishly. live within your
means, even if It does pinch" some
times. pay your dues promptly and