The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1921-12-02
REMEDIES THAT ARE WORSE
THAN THE DISEASE

It's easy enough to find some
thing wrong with our neighbors and
the world in general The softest-
Drained radical who ever walked the
earth could pick flaws in things as
they are in any department of hui
man actiyity-philosop medicine,
= jurisprudence, theology, and every
; thing else. Not only that-he could
find real defects. The most bewhis-
kered anarchist at large could point
out imperfections in the best govern
ment in the world
It's almost as easy to suggest
remedies as to make the diagnosis.
Vendors of patent medicines who
claim that the connections will cure
anything and everything from spring
fever to hydrophobia are downright
pessimists in comparison with null
titudes of would-be reformers who
lombard the world with prescrip-
tions forthe cure of industrial, polit-
ical, and moral ills. After listening
to the claims of these reformers,
one is inclined to reflect that pat
ent medicine manufacturers are not
so bad after all; that they are mod
est gentlemen, not given to exagger
alton, ard rather inclined o.
understatement.
It's easy to find what's wrong
with the world. and to suggest a
remedy But what about the cures
It will not be denied that if one
is afflicted witha bodily i'll, it is
better for him not to take any
remedy than to take ALL the REM
edies that his acquaintance may
suggest. He may recover without
any remedy. Buff he took all the
medicines that his friends (unlearn-
ed in medicine) prescribed for him,
he would surely die.
1t is not altogether different in
respect to the Industrial, political
and moral ills of the world. Well I
meaning reformers sometimes pre-
scribe remedies for evils - remedies
that lead to still worse state of
affairs.
Recently we read an editorial in
a newspaper published in another
state, on the subject. "How to Get at
the Booze Evil The general atti-
tude of the editorial we heartily en-
dorse. We believe that some of the
suggestions are very good. But
when it suggests that special officers
circulate among the crowds at dan
ces and elsewhere to smell the
breath of the people and lock up
over night those who breath was
eloquent of booze-here the limits Of
prudence are exceeded. This might
possibly do god in some states and
in some places. tat it wouldn't
work in Oakley? If an attempt
were made to enforce such plan
here, conditions would become at
least twice as bad as they are now
That man should drink booze is
to be regretted. A man ought to
find enough worthwhile excitement I
md adventure in real everyday life I
10 satisfy him, without employing
The make-shift of intoxication to pro-
luce the Illusion of adventure. As
Emerson said, His cheerfulness
should be the gift of the sunlight,
he air should suffice for his inspira-
ion, znd HE SHOULD BE TIPSY
WITH WATER"
1t could only make bad matters
worse if a breath-smeller came
long every day to inspect us. New :
it is interesting to mag /,
ne what adventures would meet !,
uch an official His sense Of smell !,
you'd have to be very acute and I,
discriminating. In testifying 1T /,
curt, he might have to tell whether :
he breath of the offender was per- !,
umed with whisky or flavoring ex- {,
ract. The question arises whether :
would be safe for one TO drink a p,
ialted milk favored with lemon or {,
anilla extraet-one's breath Nigh. :
lake him subject to arrest. :