St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1912-12-25

A44W &0g 4O4&
TEEN notoriety. above reputation,
to live in the world instead OF in
the home. In women it makes
them disdain the nobility Of moth
erhood and the duties of the house
wife, to look upon marriage not as
an institution but as qualification
to put beauty of appearance above
beauty of character, to mistake ex-
element for pleasure. In both it
makes selfishness supreme and aids
the immoral and inspires the extra
VACANT.
1t is a tendency to be combatted
both in ourselves and in those
whose well being we hold dear. And
it is best combatted by that insti-
tuition known as the home. The
more attractive the home, the less
attractive the street. The greater
the home influence, the less the In
fluence of the world. The more
comfort, the less desire for luxury.
If you could trace the lure of
the lights to it's source you would
find it in part at least in the rented
house, the home that is occupied
without the sense of proprietorship
or permanence, the home that is a
physical convenience instead of
mental refuge.
The real home, the home that will
keep the daughter out of the cafe
and the son out of the resort, is
the home that is owned. And the
father who builds a home builds
more than a house. He builds char
acter in his children and Compel
ence in his age. He makes himself
happier, his children better, his
town bigger and brighter. He per-
forms a greater service to the
world than he can in any other
way.-[Bel Falls Times.
Fair Play For Mellen
Over-abuse of President Mellen
of the New Haven railroad by the
newspapers on account of the
Grand Trunk deal and the general
policy pursued under his direction
may create a reaction in the mans
favor. Without doubt he is not the
monster pictured by the frenzied
journals. One may seriously ques-
ton the attitude of the New Haven,
as a matter of public interest, and
still not hold Mr.. Mellen to be the
arch-criminal of the age. 1t is
doubtful if Mr.. Mellen is personally
to blame for all the accidents that
occur on his system. SURPRISING or
twisting the findings of investigating
commissions SO as to make it ap
pear that the road is culpable, when
in fact It is exonerated, will not in
the long run produce the desired re-
suits.
The city press exhibits the most
-, /,
matter. Purely in self-defence Mr..
Mellen has been compelled to pur-
chase advertising space in the news
papers, and those who there read
his statements will speedily come to
the conclusion that there are two
sides to the question, and that Mr..
Mellen is being personally condemn
ed without due warrant. 1t is but
another instance of the American
proclivity to cry down anybody
who arouses opposition and to do
it without giving the person a hear
ing.
The New Haven president is un-
doubtedly trying to serve the in
terests, first of all, of the company
that pays him a salary. If he
breaks any law or rule of public
conduct, he ought to be held ac-
countable like any humber indi-
vidual, but not until In his ar
rangement with the Grand Trunk
he seems to have followed business
prudence, from his company's
standpoint. He is willing to tell all
he did and all he knows, but those
in charge of the prosecution won't
let him.
The Grand Trunk-New Haven
deal came about, it is plain, because
both parties were convinced that
their interests lay in working to-
gether, rather than engaging in
the fierce warfare and destructive
rate cutting that the public, with
equal selfishness, hoped would
ensue. These two railroads may not
conspire in restraint of trade, it is
true, but, on the other hand they
cannot be compelled to grapple in
ruinous rate cutting while their pat
irons look on in glee and profit
thereby. Even a railroad has some
few rights left.
The Grand Trunk got a charter
to build into Boston and Providence,
expecting to do so, but it did not
bind itself to do so and cannot be
compelled to, that we see. The pub
lie, if it finds conditions oppressive
at any time, has it's remedy through
the interstate commerce commits
sion, which has never lent an un-
willing ear to well-grounde1 COM
plant.
Until such time as the govern