Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-17
Thursday, July II, 1918.
srysna a victim Of Social Customs.

had 10 leave his prayeful attention &c
the Mexican crisis and the japanese
difficulties, and few other matters of
national interest, to recoup his private
fortunes.
1t is quite probable that Mr.. Bryan
finds it impossible to live on $1,000 ii
month, but his experience in Wash
ington, his widely advertised knowl-
edge of the high cost of living, and
his native thrift should have warned
him before accepting the job.
OF course America is poor and
struggling nation. and cannot afford
to pay its servants as much as it
teaches them to spend ito uphold the
American standard of living" but
Mr. Bryan knew that long, long ago
and has told us about it in Chau-
tauqua lecture and political address.
from one end of this country to the
other. That he should not have pro-
vided enough of the rainy day variety
to last him over his public ineumbency
is disappointment. That he should
be obliged to go out and hustle to keep
the wolf from the door of the Wash
ington residence is unfortunate. be-
cause the dear people like to have
their employees push the button every
nj lni fs
respond promptly if foreign nation
falls out of bed.
Just imagine Herbert Henry As
quith or Arthur J. Balfour out for
six weeks struggle, in the hottest
weather of the year, to raise money
with which to piece out short Of
fetal salary as prime minister. Or.
for the moment, think of James G..
Blaine or John Hay giving short
weight in public service to prevent
eating into private fortune.
Perhaps you have some idea Of what
Mr.. Bryan would say about the public
utility which would attempt to cut
one-ninth from the service agreed
upon with the people.
But all these suggestions are more
or less whimsical, while true. The
chief spectacle is that of the most
important official. save one. in the
service of this country, casting aside
official cares. big and little, for weeks
at a time. to go out into the highways
and byways scattering words for so
much per day and. at the same time.
publicly announcing that he was OBJ
liged to do it because he could not live
on the official salary paid him.
Hundreds of thousands of the men
who have admired shouted for and
voted for Mr.. Bryan, scarcely earn
1000 each in lifetime Their con-
ception of Washington social life is
about as definite as that of cat con
corning heaven. That the man who
has talked 1.-The simple life" and con-
tentment in a cabin home" is unable
to live on SO 1-3 dollars day is a
revelation. 1t seems to them that
some of the costly functions could be
omitted with as much or more grace
than Mr.. Bryan's present destruction
of their confidence in his consistency.
They may be excused for wondering
if Mr.. Bryan will return to the treas
ury from his government salary of
81 1000. about one ninth of ii for the
time during which he lacked up his
public job to earn 5000 night in
private enterprise.
And while this most important gov
eminent official is absent from Wash
ington and constant touch with the
foreign diplomats and the wise ad
xisers just now in Washington, Europe
is forcing our hand in matter of
Worldwide Importance. In sub
stance. we must recognize Mexico or
intervene to save the menace of an
archy to the interests of other ma
tions.
While Mr.. Bryan is giving no corr
centrated thought or actual time to
these things, the American lack OF
policy is becoming a disturbing factor
in world affairs.
The, lives and property of foreign
ers In Mexico are unsafe because
United States proclaimed doctrine
wafns foreign powers off. and Premier
Br,an's lack of interest and govern
msRt silence, forces them to become
active to protect themselves.
William j. Bryan is wealthy man.
He owns, besides his Nebsaska prop
erty, a ranch in Texas. and a winter
home in Florida, to say nothing of
prize stock which includes $4,000
prize cow-and he has reached time
of life where all but vanity could be
satisfied with comparatively small
income.
II Mr.. Bryan's great ambition to
represent the head Of this nation is