Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1911-09-28
la44Aess.*e.*.
NOTES OF A BYsTANDER.



negie, may we'll take heart from the
example of a tiny Massachusetts,
town, Holland by name. Though the
place has a population of but 49,
and only the resources of PLAIN
farming community, It has taxed IL
self for a building and proposes to
maintain library which shall fairy
meet the needs of its people. A 1T
tie money goes far nowadays In pro-
yiding library facilities. Good read
ing matter was never so cheap. Mag
nificent buildings and elaborate
equipment are not necessary. Inc
village library can do it's beneficent
work quite well without as with
them.
Most of US will believe the presi-
dent has done, as usual, the sensible
thing. in sustaining DR.. Wiley ana
turning down those who have long
been whetting their knives prepara-
tory to taking his scalp at the psy-
Geological moment. Evidently tnat
moment has not arrived. The peo-
Dle believe DR.. Wiley to be compe-
tent and honest. The food trusts
hate him, which is Of itself pretty
good recommendation. He probably
has faults as an administrative Of
ficial. and he has doubtless made
mistakes. But they do not seem TO
he fundamental. The president Will
do well to end the pickering ana
strife which have long disgraced the
agricultural department in the mat
Ter of foodstuff regulation. We have
1ourneyed far from the good old
days when the packing-houses were
privately clipped off" q week In ad-
vance of the inspectors advent, A
good beginning has been made but
consumers will not be satisfied un-
I'll they see an equally good END.
" y
Whatever Names final policy to-
ward the liquor traffic, she will do
we'll to enforce the law without fear
or favor. It is often the bane OF
lluuor laws that they mean one thing
in large cities and quite another IN
ANAL towns. There Is no reason why
such laws should depend for their
enforcement upon the sentiment OF
the community. Either they should
be enforced everywhere or replaced
by laws which are capable of being
enforced against all sorts and con-
Tlitions OF men and communities.
Maine has probably learned by this
time in dealing with the liquor ques-
tion, as Uncle Sam has learned IN
dealing with the trusts, that a bust
ness which yields enormous profits
can not be suppressed by filming the
offender. The sugar crust can pay
millions In fines and make consum-
ara nav it all back in a month. The
average saloon could pay fine ev-
ery week and continue business at
n profit. Imprisonment at least for
repeated offenses would do the trick
rs 1t has in Kansas where put In
action.
Party lines have become so mixed
during the past few years, and Re-
publicans and Democrats have cross
ed and recrossed so often, that the
country Is not readily astonished by
fresh lncursions into party preserves
But the action of the governors in
appealing to the supreme court for
the protection Of state rights almost
makes the country gasp. 1t is sig
nlficant that the only vote cas'
against the proposition was by
southern Democrat. Governor Had
ley Of Missouri and Harmon Of Ohio
Republican and Democrat, find com
mon ground In their belief that Judge
Sanborn's decision in the Minnesoti
rate case jeopardiEes rights hereto
fore conceded to the states without
question. Both governors are o
supreme court stature Harmon al
ex-attorney, general Of the Unite'
States, and 1t is safe to expect tina
the brief they are to prepare joint!
with Governor Aldrich Of Nebraska
will contain some hard nuts for tn
court to crack, whatever 1t may fin
ally decide.
DR.. D. X. Pearson Of Chicago an
Hinsdale, ILL.,, is rounding out wha
Is in some respects the most remark
able lifework Of which we have rec
ord. Coming west as young mar
DR.. Pearsons invested heavily in res
estate in Illinois and Wisconsin
Buying cheap by the acre he sold b
the foot at prices which In thirt
- -. M, .tw tlfnao q ufllior