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EVENING LEDGEE PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2S 1914
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PTULABKLPUIA, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMUEH 23, 191 1
Penroscism is Democracy's Chief Asset
THERE -will bo no weeping In tho White
Hooso U Penroselsm is Indorsed In Penn
sylvania. Tho Democracy is cpilto ready to
do without ona voto In tho Sennto In return
for tho continued uso of Penroselsm as cam
paign material. It has a majority, anyhow.
Tho President knows, and his advisers know,
that Palmar victorious will not bo worth half
so much to tho party as Palmer defeated. If
th Republicans In this Stato wish to deal tho
Administration a might blow, they can do
It by eliminating: Penroselsm as an issue In
American politics.
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Intoxication of tho Fanoclus Pilaceus
NO, THIS is not a now cocktail nor u cor
dial of monastlo manufacture For the
dsvoteo of tho "glass that cheers" many and
various havo been tho substitutes devised,
but It has remained for modern science to
discover a stimulant moro potent than alco
hol and. If reports aro correct, with no after
depression. The panoolus pilaceus is said to confer
upon tho partaker thereof visions as radiant,
as exhilarating, as finely hallucinatory as
those of hasheesh, as subliminal as the men
tal vaporings of opium and a sense of super-well-being
and flt-foeling transcending that
afforded by the vintages of Burgundy or
John Barleycorn.
Tho panoelus pilaceus Is a mushroom. Its
discovery Is announced by no less a savant
than Dr. A. E. Verrlll, of Tale University.
In the current number of Science ho de
scribes the' "case of Mr. W.," a middle-aged
man, vigorous, strictly temperate and a bot
anist, who experimented with the hilarious
fungus. According to the description, tho
panoelus pilaceus is delicate, umbrella-shaped
and will grow in any garden.
Possibly with fields, gardens and flower
beds given over to a fond and nsslduous cul
tivation of the nowlj discovered fungus, tho
reign of Bacchus may be over!
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Imagination Lifts Up Posterity
WE, THE people, need to have eyes of
immrlnatlnn in orrlpr thnt wn mav Vm
I- & good citizens. A voter with sufficient ability
to see the rest of mankind and the genera
tions yet unborn will sacrifice his conven
ience, and even much more, to go to the polls.
The better we come to know mankind
the actual character and lives of people whom
perhaps we have never seen or never will
see tho stronger grows our altruism, which
Is a normal quality of human nature. Tho
literature of the magazines is rendering an
Invaluable service. It is forwarding a grad
ual reconciliation of classes and races by its
vlvld portrayal of what peoplo really are.
It is bringing our conception of "the rest
of humanity" nearer to the human reality.
The psychology that tells us clearly how
we are separated by time, rather than space,
from those who will bo affected by our acts,
is important In tho development of civlo
imagination. For every ton of coal that wi
mine, for every beautiful hillside that we rob
of its forests, for every law put on the stat
ute books by tho Legislators that we elect,
for every vote that Is cast at the polls, we
are answerable to future generations.
Without Imagination it is impossible to
comprehend our civic responsibilities.
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Yonng Men "Will Not Be Tricked
TIME was when men voted as they wor
shiped, as their fathers did before them.
Example was everything Party lines were
rigid and men voted blindly, aa they were
told, for the parties' candidates, Irrespective
of the merits of the other side.
Times are changed. That's trite, but true.
We Uvo In a different day and gent-ration.
Today the lntolhgent man who Is not tied
down by paid party service owns hla own
vote. He and his fellows have begun to
weigh men, methods and policies. They aro
thinking for themselves. Their ranks are In
creasing dally. Tou see It in the revolt of the
Progressives, In their return to the Repub
lican fold when they found themselves tricked
by their leaders and deluded by false prom
ises. These are the men who ootmt, the men who
think for themselves. Through them the
hope of scotching th snake of Penroselsm
comes.
Worth the Purchase
WHILE Congressmen aro busying them
selves over a bill frir emergent y taxa
tion, it may interest others to take a little
historical excursion back tr February IB,
17S3. On that day Pejatiah Webster published
in Philadelphia, at the very doors of the
Congress of the Confederation, an entirely
new plan of Federal Government. One of
tho basic principles involved wa3 the inde
pendent authority of the Federal Government
to levy taxes. No Federal system that had
ever existed had been armed with the power
to tax, and Pelatiah's propoiiil was without
a precedent m hUtory. In the Constitutional
Convention of 1IS7 it was adopted, though
writers of text-books have bsen in the habit
of giving the credit to other men.
"The power of taxation," Webster said, "Is
a dreadful engine of oppression, tyranny and
Injury, when ill-used, yet ... I do con
tend that our Union Is worth thin purchase."
Socialists Flirt With War
ACCOHDING to the reports of American
.correspondents, the Socialist movement in
Germany has disuprwured in those times of
war. Vorwaerts, the famous Socialist paper,
has turned patriotic and for the first time
In its history may te smIU on Government
property and even In the arm A few weeks
go the Socialist deputies in the Reichstag-
voted unanimously for the uar credits. In
France, Marcel Sembat and Jutes Quesde
Joined tho Cabinet, abandoning their part in
petty political quarrels. Qustave Herve,
called by somebody "antl-mllltarlst, nntl-par-tlamcntarlan,
antl-patrlot," asked tho French
Minister of War to send him to tho front
with the first regiment of Infantry.
In the minds of these men there Is no
Kstie now, If there over was, between so
cialism and patriotism. Only the weakest
thinkers among the socialistic groups seo an
antagonism between the two. Patriotism,
moreover, Is rooted far deeper In human na
turo than socialism, with a possible exception
In the case of the Inferior socialism of the
very smallest men. Patriotism Is ne oi the
highest expressions of the human trait of
loyalty, it Is loyalty to "all we have and
are." It Is really conservatism.
Using Childhood to Muddy the Witters
THE massed cohorts of tho Organization
were nblo by the slender margin of ono
voto to override tho Mayor's veto of tho
Munlclpat Court grnb. In explanation of this
action, John P. Connelly, commander-in-chief
of Penroselsm In Council?, declared, so the
report runs, that "It comes with exceedingly
bad grace from tho gentleman on tho second
iloor (the Mayor) to obstruct tho efforts the
Municipal Court Is making to help the delin
quent child."
Tho Municipal Court has been chlclly noted
up to this timo for helping Itself to tho funds
of tho municipality. The solicitude of Mr.
Connelly for childhood might have aroused
tho sympathy and support of all good citi
zens had they not rend elsewhere, In the same
Issue of the Evenino Lr.DOtin, the declaration
of Paul N. Furman, secretary of the Child
Labor Association of Pennsylvania, that cer
tain deplorablo conditions In tho matter of
child labor In Pennsylvania are "due entirely
to the Influence- of the Pcnroso-controlled
political machine." It Is bad enough to have
such a grab as this Municipal Court adven
ture will be, if achieved, put through, but
It Is positively nauseating to have tho re
sponsibility for It placed on children who
cannot speak for themselves.
Things That Abide In a Changing Order
TIME never halts. War or no war, tho
seasons como and go. Tho roso withers
on tho stem, and already the pencils of
autumn begin to tint tho leaves. The guns
of Europe do not stop tho sun, though they
may smash the clock. Time moves on liko
a river.
It Is a satisfaction to know that some
things are above the might of man. Tho
Imperishable forces of life abldo above tho
danger line of rust and moth and gunpowder.
Tho Rhelms Cathedral may be laid in ruins,
but tho devotion that built It is everlasting.
In tho world clash between materialism and
idealism It is well to lay hold of tho best
things the indestructlblo forces of truth,
true love, friendship and every reality of life.
Theso realities are liko blocks of granite In
a sea of changing conditions. The fact that
others have gone mad Is only another reason
why tho rest of us should remain sane.
In Reply to Gerhardt Ilauptmann
NO ONE will dispute Hauptmann's conten
tions that Germany, the Germany of
"Kant and Schopenhauer," is the great bea
con light of civilization. No one will dispute
that she has brought immortal contributions
upon the altar of art, science, Industry and
literature. But all, all who think in the light
of inexorable historical facts, will dispute the
brazen claims of the ruling class of Germany
that German Industry and the feudal ideas
of government and administration should
dominate the rest of the world. This Is not
a fight for the "preservation of German
culture." It is rather a battle for the libera
tion of German culture and oil culture from
military and financial Prusslanism. The
defeat of Germany will bo the victory of
Germany and tho victory of the entiro world.
Nefarious Political Brokerage
POPULAR government consists In the con
trol of political affairs by public opinion
bosslsm and popular government aro incon
sistent. "The boss," says President Lowell, oi
Harvard, "does not act mainly as an expo
nent of public opinion or frame the Issues
therefor. He cares little for public policy or
legislation relating to the general welfare
so long as he is allowed to pursue his trade
In peace. He is a political broker, but one
whose business relates far less to subjects of
a genuine public opinion than to private
benefits."
The reason why the boss has been allowed
to continue at his nefarious trade Is public
indifference. So declares James Bryco, whose
Judgment comes of long and closo observa
tion of American politics. How long is this
indifference to continue? How long are the
voters to overlook the weapon which lies at
hand? Unless all signs fail they are going to
use It in Pennsylvania on next election day.
Indifference to public welfare la a crime
of citizenship.
The "safety first" program is not making
much headway In Europe.
Everybody except the Interstate Commfcice
Commission thinks the railways are entitled
to relief.
Doctor Brumbaugh is confounding his
critics and he will confound Penroselsm be
fore he gets through.
New Jersey has a habit of standing by the
President. Tho Democracy gets tho credit
for Woodrow Wilson's personal victories.
Herman Rldder explains that the war U
"an expression of the acute neurasthenia
from which the nations are suffering." This,
of course, makes it entirely plain; but isn't it
stealing Mr. Wilson's psychological theory?
New Vork's UOQ.000,000 loan oversubscribed
thro times by private investors and a tidy
bit of the money from Philadelphia! We still
have a few pennies to rub together In spite
of the peeslmlstB.
It would have been a fine thing for Penn
sylvania if Mr. Knox had offered for the
Senate last spring. It would be a finer thing
If Mr Penrose would retire in his favur now.
But such things do not happen in Penroselsm
The world does move Jt seems hut yester
day that universul excitement was caused by
a successful aeroplane flight across the Chan
nel from France to Kngland. Just a few days
ago 36 British army 'planes were reported to
be making the passage from England to
France at one time.
Thirty -six thousand tons of British ar
mored cruisers are at the bottom of the North
Sea as the lesult of a submarine attack
Measured in Uullars, there Is no comparison
between cruisers and submarines; measured
In results, the little fellows hava nothing to
be ashamed of.
PASSED BY THE CENSOR
THAT Josoph HIrt, Me artist, married a
Philadelphia girl shows his good sense!
that h was chased a couple of thousand
miles by an earthquake Is Indicative of hls
ability to dodgo trouble. It began in San
Francisco, where HIrt was more or less busy
drawing cartoons for a dally paper. It so
happened that he was not busy on tho night
In question, that Is, not until tho earthquake
started then he became extraordinarily bo.
In fact, ho never stopped being busy until
ho reached Oakland In safety, minus cloth
ing and money. For three weeks he lived In
the refugee camp, awaiting a remittance
from his family In this city. Then, dis
gusted, hp became a passenger de luxe on a
freight train for Los Angeles. Hut work and
money were even scarcer there, and so ho
continued In haphazard fashion until Chi
cago was reached.
There he became chef in n quick lunch
room for a week, but, having higher aspira
tions, ho started once again, this time for
Buffalo. There, too, work was unobtainable.
For two weeks he managed to eke out a de
cidedly precarious living. One ilny, just by
chance, ho sauntered Into the postofflco and
Inquired at the general delivery whether any
mall had been forwarded to him via Los
Angeles, Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago,
etc. There was, said tho man. In the letter,
which was from home, was an express order
for $200.
HIrt suys that ho dined thnt night and the
after effects of that dinner will bo his death
some day, but ho doesn't care now, for ho
Is wed to that Philadelphia girl and has
more orders than bo can fill.
I HAVE no desire to claim credit for
the discovery, but I have found tho
champion fisherman, and he halls from To
ledo. Ills name is Howard Wclgle and ho
dates his fish story from Frankfort, Mich.
According to this modern Izank Walton, ho
wont fishing near Frankfort during his va
cation In 1913. in the course of tlmo he
hooked a huge pickerel, which, after a long
struggle, got nwny. This summer Welglo
went to the same stream and dropped his
lino Into the hole left In the water by tho
dropping of the escaping ilih. A cast wns
made, a bite and Wclgle had caught tho
same fish, so he says. In Its gill was fast
ened the selfsame bait which Wclgle had
lost tho previous summer. Which proves
that, after all, some fish arc honest enough
to return things which do not belong to
them.
TAKING breakfast with a real, live Presi
dent Is undoubtedly un honor, but some
times there are drawbacks, n In this in
stance. I had been In Johannesburg, South
Africa, for well nigh a year, when William J.
Leyds, Secretary of State, invited mo to par
take of a frugal morning meal with Presi
dent Kruger. So to Pretoria, the capital, I
went by stage coach, 35 miles In six hours,
and called upon the Staats-Sckretacr.
"I suppose 8 o'clock Is the breakfaBt hour?"
I asked.
"The President has a Cabinet meeting at
4 In the morning, so you'd better come half
an hour before that," replied Doctor Leyds.
Regretfully I retired, sleepily I arose,
dressed and went to the little cottage which
served for the Boer White House. It was
still dark, but tho President, surrounded by
Generals Joubert, Do Wet, Botha and Doctor
Leyds, was awaiting my coming. For ten
minutes Oom Paul cross-examined mo on
America; then Vrow Kruger brought hugo
bowls of steaming coffee and black bread,
covered with real creamery butter. And at
4 o. m. Hharp the Boer Cabinet went Into
session with prayer.
DO YOU recall that when you went to
school you were Induced to learn some
thing about Peter the Great and Catherine
and how wicked and cruel Catherine was?
Well, she wasn't so bad as you imagine,
for Diderot, tho encyclopedist, says she was
not, and he knew. Desiring to provide a
dowry for his daughter and not having tho
means, Diderot decided to sell his magnifi
cent library. It came to Catherine's ears
and she sent for Diderot.
Then she showed how cruel Bhe could
really be when the occasion offered Itself.
She bought the library at Diderot's own
price, mado him tho librarian of her new
purchase and
Paid him CO years' salary in advance!
IT IS a considerable step from Presidents
and Empresses to a mere Mayor, but
there was ono Mayor who was as autocratic
in his way as was Oom Paul or Catherine
the late William .1. Gaynor, whose last offi
cial words were, "1 have been Mayor." In
contradistinction to some of his predecessors,
who were mere tools of Tammany, Mr. Gay
nor was recklessly fearless In his outspoken
opinions. He cared not whom he hit nor
what the consequences might be. Ono Inci
dent shows this clearly. He had been In
office two days when a friend called on him.
After the usual preliminaries, Mr. Gaynor
commented upon previous administrations
and their lack of common sense.
"My predecessor In this office was tho
smallest man who ever sat In tho Mayor's
chair!" thundered Mr. Gaynor, bringing his
first down on his desk. That predecessor
was George B. McClellan, son of the Little
General, who fought Tammany furiously
and was crushed beneath the claws of tho
tiger. Not that there was ever a breath of
suspicion of wrong against Mr. McClellan,
but ho played politics Instead of governing
the city and paid the price.
0NCK upon a time there was a political
boss in Philadelphia, and there are more
of them now. A reporter asked him one day
whether Jones, which wasn't his name, would
be nominated for Congress.
"If WE think our opponents will win,
Jones will be nominated; if WE think WE
will win, then I will be named."
Jones was nominated. If this were a short
story or a play. Jones would have won, Just
to make a dramatic climax. Hut this being
a true tale. Jones was everlastingly licked.
BRADFORD.
CURIOSITY SHOP
Tho famous Salio Law is a chapter in the
Saltan code regarding the succetsion to Sdlio
lands, which were limited to male heirs,
chielly because cortain military duties were
connected with the holding of those lands. In
the fourteenth century females were excluded
from the throne of France by the application
of the Salic law.
"Jerusalem" Whalley walked from Dublin
to the Holy Land and back in one year, on a
wager of nearly $100,000, a large sum In the
days of 178S-89 Being aBked in Jest where
he was going, he replied "To Jerusalem" and
then and there the wager was undertaken,
the condition being that the Journey b made
on foot, save where It wan necessary to take
a ship. He started in 1788 and finished In
June of tho following year, winning in addi
tion to tho money, the sobriquet of "Jeru
salem," ''Fleet marriages" were so common In Eng
land at one time that between October 19,
1704, and February 12, 170S, there were con
tracted 2954 marriages In Fleet prison, Lon
don, from which the ceremonies derived their
name. Twenty to thirty couples were wedded
In a day, their names being concealed by pri
vate marks upon payment of an extra fee.
The first marriage act of 1753 stopped this
Abuse.
Tho English word "lullaby" Is thought to
have a strange origin. It Is said that Llllth
or 1.1111s, tho first wlfo of Adam, according to
the legend, haunted the abodes of men, seek
ing to kill their children. So when mothers
lulled their babies to sleep they exclaimed,
"Lllla, nbll" ("Begone llllth"), this being con
verted Into "lullaby."
IN A SPIRIT OF HUMOR
Why Exchange Editors Die
With a daring worthy of a better cause, tho
editor grasped his shears, adjusted his eye
glasses, and from tho heap of newspapers
before him extracted the following gems:
Adalbert Fuller Is back at home front Pltts
fleld, where ho attends school on account of
Illness.
Miss Vera Castner returned to the hospital
In Grand Rapids after nearly, two months'
vacation.
G. R. Clifton, Thlul, and Lowell Bonowell
have gone to Grand Rapids, Minn., for a visit
with those who have gono before.
But Not for Father
LOTT-HARDDR
Caption of Purfalo weddlns report.
Tair Warning
Maid at Country Hotel "IMcnse, sir, will
you use the hot water soon, ns there's an 'olo
in tho can?'1 Loudon I'uncli.
Internal Strategy
For idiotic strategy why not have the
French name ono of their towns Ipecac and
let the Germans take It? It would bo all up
with them. Chicago Tribune.
A Burning Question
Patke Ih your house iusuicd against fire?
Lane I don't know. I've just been leading
over the Insurance policy. Life.
For Home Industries
"What is your opinion of our foreign rela
tions?" asked the patriotic citizen.
"Thoy don't do you any good, replied the
local politician. "What you want Is a lot of
relations right hero In your own country
that'll voto tho way you tell 'cm to. Wash
ington Star.
Wedded Persiflage
Miss Fluff Mr. Deepthought, do you think
marriage is a failure?
Mr. Deepthought Well, the bride never
gets the best man. Judge.
International Diet
It is reported that the animals of tho Ber
lin zoo have been killed for food, which
may oxplaln why the Germans havo latelj
taken to eating crow.
War Fever
I used to think that Jones was strong
Within the law's domain,
But now I know that I was wrong
His forte's Alsace-Lorraine!
And Smith. (another sudden blow)
His hobbles, I was sure,
Wero golf and cigarettes, but no!
They're Brussels and Namur.
And Brown, so reticent before,
Now keeps waylaying mo
To mobilize whole army corps
Of words on strategy!
And Green, who thought the one best bet
Was peace, is now alas!
Continually storming Metz
Armed with a demi-tasse.
And Johnson but enough of spite!
Tho worst of all I am,
For on a tablecloth last night
I drew a diagram!
New York Times.
The Inquiry Courteous
Exasperated telephone subscriber (having
found six different numbers engaged)
"Well, what numbers HAVE you got?"
London Punch.
The Horrors ofWar
Ethel (In apprehensive whisper which
easily reaches her German governess, to
whom she Is deeply attached) Mother, shall
wo have to kill Fraulein? London Punch.
To Cover the Ground
The great American novel that
The nation still expects
Will have to be, experts agree,
In 40 dialects.
Louisville Courier-Journal,
A Man and His Money
A Scot of Peebles said to his friend MacAn
drew: "Mac, I hear ye have fallen in love wi'
bonny Kate McAllister."
"Weel, Banders," Mac replied, "I wis near
verra near dacln' It; but tho bit lafslo had nao
allltr, so I said to maeelf, 'Mac, be a mon.' And
I wis a mon, and noo I jist pass her by." Ar
gonaut. The Retort Frosty
"I suppose, captain," said the Inquisitive
ocean voyager, "that the passengers make
you dreadfully tired with the questions they
ask."
"Ves, indeed," replied tho captain. "What
else in it you want to know?"
Funny
Turkey protests against the Jests In
American newspapers at her expense. If
Turkey will stay out of the war she will not
be a Joke. Washington Post,
Super-Optimist
"What a cheerful woman Mrs. Smiley Is,"
"Isn't Bhe? Why, do you know, that wo
man can have a good time thinking what a
good time she would have If she wero hav
ing it." Boston Transcript.
STAIN NOT THE SKY
Y gods of battle, lords of fear.
Who work our Iron will as well
As once ye did with sword and Bpear,
With rifled gun and rending shell
Masters of sea and land, forbear
Tho fierce Invasion of the Inviolate air!
With patient daring man huth wrought
A hundred years for power to fly,
And shall e make his winged thought
A hovering horror In tho sky,
Where flocks of human eat'les sail.
Dropping: their bolts of death on hill and dale?
Ah. no. the sunset is too pure,
The dawn too fair, the noon too bright!
For wings of terror to obacure
Their beauty, and betray the night
That keeps for man, above his wars,
Thu tranquil vision of untroubled stars.
Pass on, pass on, ye lords of fear!
Tour footsteps In the sea are red.
And black on earth your paths appear
With ruined homes and heaps of dead,
Pass on, and end your transient reign.
And leate tho blue of heaven without a ttaln
The wrong ye wrought will fall to dust.
The rlKhi ye uhlelded will abide;
The world at last will learn to trust
In law to guard, and love to rulde,
The peace of God that answers prayer
Will fall like dew from the inviolate air
Henry Van Dvke. in the Ntw York Independent.
DONE IN PHILADELPHIA
AN INSTITUTION that enters upon Its
91st year of activity, it Beems to mo,
might very well bo called venerable,
but knowing the enterprising character of the
Franklin Institute as I do, the term vener
ablo does not exactly fit. It Implies weakness
along with respectability; It seems to echo
tho past. But, whllo 90 years ngo the Insti
tute was tho most progressive organization in
Its own field In this country, so It Is tho very
last word In modernity In sclcneo applied to
mechanics today.
And I write this Just because I had my at
tention called to tho reopening of the schoolt
of the Institute lost week.
I BELIEVE that probably half the popula
tion of Philadelphia, If asked, would con
fess to a bolief that the Institute wns founded
by Benjamin Franklin. I do not know how
this Idea got abroad, but I find there Is a
strong Inclination to attribute to Franklin
even more numerous achievements than no
claimed for himself. But when It Is realized
that tho Institute Is only now entering upon
lis 9tst year It will bo needless to assure any
ono that the Immortal Ben had no haid In
Its organization.
However, I feel sure that it was out of
compliment to the valuable contributions to
science made by Franklin thnt tho group of
young men who formed the Institute took
pride In associating his name with their
movement.
IN 1824, when the Institute was formed, an
Inspiring movement among young me
chanics spread over the eastern part of the
country. It led to tho formation tf mechanics'
Institutes. I believe there wero several of
them In this city at the time. But it wns
rather exclusive. Because of tho stringency In
their qualjficatlons for membership, the very
names of these organizations aro forgotten,
but tho name of tho Franklin Institute Is
held In high repute by scientists all over tho
w orld.
Samuel Vaughan Merrick, afterward one of
Philadelphia's most noted Ironmasters, found
himself, ns he once mentioned, tho owner of
a workshop at 21 years, but without a mo
clmnlc.il education or with scarcely a me
chanical Idea. Ho believed he could Improvo
himself in order to properly superintend his
foundry If ho could become a member of a
mechanics' Institute, Ho applied for ndmls-
slon to ono of them. But Mr. Merrick was
promptly blackballed, because he was not a
mechanic. Ho was nn employer.
HE COULD not say In 1S24 what a man In
a similar position today could say; he
could not tnko his rejection lightly and turn
Ills steps to a. technical school. If ho could
not sharo the Information with these young
mechanics, he must settle himself to learn
his trade and Its secrets by tho slow process
of observation In his own foundry. Mr.
Merrick did not choose to do that, but deter
mined to Interest others In the establishment
of an instltuto that would bo founded not
only upon more democratic principles, but
also would considerably expand the original
Idea of mechanical Institutes.
THERE aro not many young men of 21
with the force of character or the neces
sity Initiative for organizing such nn asso
ciation. But young Merrick managed to
Interest such men as Matthias W. Baldwin,
who, It muBt bo remembered, had not yet
built his first locomotive; James Ronaldson,
tho typo founder; Dr. James Rush, who
founded tho Rldgway Library; William H.
Kncass and Samuel R. Wood, among others,
In his plan.
Consider tho method by which theso
organizers obtained an audience for their
meeting. Thoy held It In what we now allude
to as Old Congress Hall, at Sixth and Chest
nut streets. They selected and sont Invita
tions to a list of 1G00 names taken from tho
directory. Unless you realize that in 1824
there was no postal service such as we now
enjoy, you cannot appreciate the magnitude
of this attempt.
The meeting was attended by a largo num
ber of young men, and within two weeks
there wero enrolled between 400 and COO
members.
IN ITS declared object to promote and en
courage the mechanic arts the Institute
even in Its Infant days was true. It hold tho
first Industrial exhibitions in this country.
Small as these were at the start, they grad
ually became more Important, and for many
years were continued annually, attracting
manufacturers and inventors from all parts
of the United States. The exhibition the In
stitute held In 1874 In the old Pennsylvania
Railroad freight depot, on the slto of Wnna
maker's, Is remembered with pleasuro by
many Phlladelphlans. Tho Electrical Exposi
tion which the Institute held at 32d and Mar
ket streets In 1SS4 was the first universal
showing of tho mysterious new force that
the world had seen.
THERE aro half a dozen medals and pre
miums at the service of tho institute to
bestow upon inventors and discoverers, and I
need not tell you that thoy are prized far
above their monetary value by their winners,
who are not always Americans. They aro
not bestowed until a committee thoroughly
examines the claims for the invention or dis
covery entered for the prize, and the award
in Itself Is proof everywhere of the value of
the Idea that is accepted.
In the weekly lectures and meetings of the
various sections of the Instltuto each winter
the visitors will hear the last word on tho
latest contributions to tho mechanic arts.
I know of no Institution that Is so young
and modern in spirit and feels so little the
effects of age when passing its 90th birthday
as the Franklin Institute.
QRANVILIE.
Ethics and Politics
From the New York Herald.
Statesmen of past generations always sought
to conceal the hand of the tax gatherer, but
our Washington solona of today, having cut
down the levy concealed In the tariff schedules,
seem determined to let every citizen know and
feel where the Federal Govrnment pinches him.
It's good thics. But Is It good politics?
THE IDEALIST
Every display of valor, from football to
warfaie, brings out a curious trait In the
human make-up. Shortly, the feeling, the
discussion, the enthusiasm incident to the
present conflict will resolve themselves into
a very definite human desire a desire as
old as time.
The mob wants a hero!
A contest proves listless unless it un
covers an Individual star. A battle is only
a free-for-all unless a hero emerges
Few folks realize the tremendous part this
instinctive mob-craving has played In the
eruptions of history. The Individual, calm
and cool, away from tho crowd, well knows
that Just so long as the laurel wreath la
plaiCl7nU?orV tne, brow ,r th0S8 tha' malm
and kill, Just so long will blood be spilled in
war. And he abhors the reflection.
But the mob spirit altera him. He be
comes a weakling.
We have succeeded In educating the indi
vidual at tho hearth or his Home to the nf.
found wisdom of peace. Wo still hava k
our hands tho tk of .educating a collect!,
of Individuals, the mob. ""lection
Europe's; detugo of blood and pain win
develop only ono true hero. Ho will be i
tnnn who changes It to peace. "9
THE IDEALIST.
VIEWS OF READERS
ON TIMELY TOPICS
Contributions That Reflect Public Opin.
ion on Subjects Important to City
State and Nation.
To ih Editor of the Kventng Ledger:
Sir England did not envy Germany her well
earned commorco, nor was she Jealous of Jer
inany'a army for defense, nor of Germany's
small but efficient navy.
But Germany violated tho neutrality of Uei
glum, and England, all at once, became horrl.
fled nt such a breach of International faith
and declared war on Germany or rather ori
Germany's commerce and navy, primarily, and
on her army, but with less alacrity nbout
iacing u. wny couldn't u'rance, Russia and
her (England's) numerous other allies face the
German cannon? She would rather they
would, for Englishmen would rather play
cricket nnd football than faco cannnn ln any
cause. '
Does England forgot the world does not-her
own crlmo at Copenhagen, In' Napoleon's time
which the Japanese nation used as a precedent
to excuse Its attack on tho Russian fleet with
out a declaration of war or other warlnng?
Has. England forgotten, too, her part In ths
Paoll, tho Cherry Valley and tho Wyomlnr
Valley massacres, and in the battle of th
Cowpens, where no quarter was given the
wounded Americans, still brave, but too weak
to resist their slaughter In cold blood?
And hns England further forgotten her
pilson ships ln which many brave American
patriots worn doomed to starvation hnd death?
And Is it, as a memorial to England's own
past good faith with other nations, that ths
Hollander, tho Belgian and tho Frenchman
her nearest neighbors aro allko always ready
to exclaim, with feeling of contempt, "oh
thou perfidious Albion!" '
READER.
Philadelphia, September 21, 1914,
ENTITLED TO APPROVAL
3o the Editor of the Evening Ledger:
Sir Since tho first issue of your paper I
have taken It each ovenlng and studied It with
Interest. Tho opposition that is made In your
columns to Pcnroio and all that ho represents
is of Itself enough to earn the approvnl of
every right-thinking citizen in this boss-ridden
State. GEORGE Z. ILLINGTON.
Philadelphia, Soptomber 21. 1914,
STATE IS TIRED OF BOSSES
To the Editor of the Evening Ledger:
Sir In my view tho State of Pennsylvania is
tlted of Boles Penrose as Its representative
In tho United States Senate, nnd moro tired
of a corrupt Stato Government known as
"Penrosolsm." Patriotic citizens want to de
feat both. The Evening Ledoek will be a
powerful aid In that righteous work.
T. KITTERA VAN DYKE.
Harrlsburg, August 31, 1914.
WILL NOT VOTE FOR PENROSE
To the Editor of the Evening Ledger:
Sir I have been a lifelong Republican, but I
won't voto for Penrose! And there are a lot of
us who feel tho same way. It riles me when I
got out of tho Stato to hear tho choice slurs
that are cast at tho quality of Pennsylvania
Republicanism which will nomlnnto Doles
Penrose for United States Senator. But I lma
to swallow tho pill and reply, "Ho Is not olected
yet." L. C. DENISE.
New Kensington, Pa., September 21, 1914.
An International Police Force
From the Richmond Tlmes-Dlspatch.
The war of nations In Europe has revived
tho talk of a combination of tho forces of the
nations to police both land and sea, and keep
the peace among nations just as our present
police forces keep tho peace among individuals.
Tho idea is an old one, but has never made
much progress until recently. Now oven so
conservative a writer as Henry Clews accepts
It, saying in his. latest report that Its adoption
is necessary to permanent peace. It Is hardly
to bo supposed that so radical a change In cus
toms nnd tho point of view will be brought
about soon, If at all, but It is certain that
without practical disarmament there can never
bo a permanent peace In Europe. If the war
result in that consummation, it will have been
worth whllo. If tho Powers that win Insist
upon It as a precedent necessary to the end
of tho war, those Powers will have justified
their entrance Into It. If they do not, they will
have to fight another war at some futuro time.
Let the President Alone
From the Xow York World.
This war Is not our war. Wo did not make It
and wo cannot end it. If we mind our own busi
ness, however, wo may be ablo to smooth the
pathway to pence when blood and iron have
determined tho main Issues. If we do not mind
our own business, wo shall be regarded as
Impertinent meddlers and shall have no Influ
ence for good whatever.
The President has been petitioned enough and
nagged enough. Ho knows the situation better
than nny of his self-appointed counselors. HIj
motives are quite as exalted ns those of his
volunteer advisors. Let him alone.
Looking Toward Peace Sunday
From the New Haven (Conn.) Journal-Courier.
We may well be thinking during the coming
days how we are going to make of "Peace Sun
day" something better than a perfunctory per
formance, something Infinitely finer than mere
lip-servlco. To add to our supplications for
happier days an offering for the relief of
afflicted nations will put our religion to
practical and blessed use.
Asking Too Much
From the fit. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Apropos the Incident of the steamship Robert
Dollar, It may be remarked that, with all due
respect nnd regard for England ns the land of
Shakespeare, we really cawn't, you know, old
chap, admit that tho Atlantic Ocean, or any
other, is an English lake.
NATIONAL POINT OF VIEW
Mr, Roosevelt la correct In announcing that
he Isn't a candidate. But wait until 13U--Sprlngfleld
Republican.
The railroads can hardly be so bad as they
have been painted, if President Wilson be
comes one of their advocates. Baltimore Even
ing Sun.
In comparison with tna present European
war, Caesar. Alexander and Hannibal were
guilty of nothing more serious than disorderly
conduct. Kansas City Star,
The. Government ousht to show its appre
ciation of what Ambassador Herrlck has dona fj
and avail itself of his capacity for further
service of the same general kind. Charleston
News and Courier,
Reports of the first football Injuries, broken
collar bones and tho like, cause, small thrill or
protest this year. There are too many wori
things going on behind the veil of the Euro
pean censorship. Springfield Republican.
One small, Imagined Blgh from sweet Cor
delia, one fancied smile upon the lips
Imogen, one fleeting dream of Juliet ftom he'
window leaning, brings England closer to th"
land of ours, than Kipling, Plnero, Pole,
Bridges and-all that list of authors ever could
Chicago Herald.
The President's remark upon tha activlUe'
of certain professional jingoes who ore now
crazy for peace that their program Is "u""
practical and sllly"-ls mildly true. What he
might havo said If he had been In Ill-humor
would have been much more to the point er
York World.
Senator Burton's brilliant struggle has bee"
amply repaid, and the admirable rules and cu
tonu of the Senate which made his stand Yor
Justice to the taxpayers possible have ye3
abundantly Justified. New York Sun.
The British navy has done nothing- so d"
Inz as the onilnll nr tha (Itrram submarine'
One of the oldest lessons of human hist
Is the folly of despising your enemy -J'
York World. I