Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-29
Ready TO Try Anything.


cannot stand prosperity" Perhaps as
good an Illustration of the Truth of the
oft-quoted adage may be seen in the
present conditions in the United States
No people in any age of the worlds
recorded progress have enjoyed such
prosperity as did the people of Ameri-
the Spanish American war. Yet with
out question. there has been no period
In the history of the American peopia
in which there has been such marked
element of discomfort as is now appar-
emf in all sections Of this country.
It is a time in which that element of
human nature, which is inherent-the
disposition 10 gamble-is largely pre-
dominant In spite of the prosperity.
which has been wide spread and gen.
eral. and advantageous conditions for
all classes, such as never has been
known before. and which none can
deny a great percentage of the people
are inclined 10 take a chance on there
being something better 1t is case
of never quite satisfied: the more we
get the more we want"
Governor Woodrow Wilson of New
Jersey is quoted as having said after
an extended trip into various parts of
the country.
Il found progressive ideas in every
section that visited Party lines were
obscured in the demand of the American
people for what they have lost. There
is a demand. regardless of previous
party lines, for recovery of that cor
troll which the people once had, and
which they have lost in the years pre-
ceding the last elections. The people
are learning to take control once
more" sfte
Yet John Kirby, Jr.. widely ac-
credited writer ON financial and indus
trial topics, in the September issue of
American Industries. says:
That business conditions in this
country are anything but active or sat
isfactory is the opinion of every one
having even a superficial knowledge of
the situation. And 1t is equally the
opinion of our business men that the
agitation for radical changes in our
form of government. and the prevail
ing tendency toward mob rule is the
sole cause of our business inactivity.
| have recently returned from tour
of several weeks in Canada and Nova
nd
all business men with whom | talked
| saw and heard nothing but evidences
of unbounded prosperity, while bust
ness men of Canada. especially, ex'
pressed themselves as of the opinio!
that a panic prevails in the United
States"
Financial and industrial interests o
the country are well aware of III
present temper of the people to tax
up with wild, exploded theories whie
are put forth by cheap politicians an
hair Drained adventurers who are nj
ways urging the populace TO try some
thing new, whether or not its util1t'
has been demonstrated. That is VIVA
is unbalaneing the business of tn
country at the present time-genera
dissatisfaction with ones lot in life
others in sight are more prosperous
than we are.
For years. every business and everS
society has been denounced by othel
elements of society as being dishonest
disreputable, etc, and such an era o.
investigations has been precipitateC
that each individual of society SEEM
10 have the idea fixed that he is tn
only honest man in the community
Thus, with each class arrayed agains
all the others. and every one looking
for panacea, we have a generall
discontinued and disgruntled publ
that is ready TO take up with almos
any suggestion, however mad ii ma
be, on the strength of the fact tina
something else might be better-an
they are ready to take chance.
A certain degree of reform is neces
sary to public progress, and the hes
of house cleaning cannot be done unit
the cleaners have been awakened by
degree Of dirtiness that has disguise
them. Political agitators and self
seeking demagogues are taking ever
advantage of this condition of the gen
eral public The reforms which al
being suggested are not only ne
healthful TO the body polite, but
most cases are bound TO be iargel
disastrous in the results which men :
Intelligence are able TO foresee.
With such an element of the Peep
ready 10 gamble on the chances of al
. sort of change. and ready. To- try 81
. political cures offered by any sort
I saoofr-taikins s2oriticai c~aafss ~as'