190 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



uals with a view to social development. New occasions have taught new 

 duties. When the idea of government in the role of Lady Bountiful is 

 a thing of the past the practises that grew out of it and were more or 

 less a part of it will have to go also. Doubtless there will always be 

 peculation and rascality in the management of the people's affairs, but 

 graft as an institution will cease to be overlooked and become disrep- 

 utable. 



In contrast with earlier practise the granting of franchises and 

 other " special privileges " is being hedged about with limitations and 

 restrictions unknown to our fathers. The new spirit of thrift in the 

 body politic prevents the fast and loose dealing with valuable rights 

 common in the flush days of exploitation. The worth of the privileges is 

 better known now and it is actually greater. The need of conserving all the 

 sources of public income is felt more and more so that there is a demand 

 for quid pro quo when a grant is sought. The work of these companies 

 in building up transportation, lighting and other general conveni- 

 ences to their present stage has made communities more independent of 

 them and the increase in demand for investments has strengthened the 

 public position. More abundant capital needs opportunities for earn- 

 ing interest, while the body of the citizens have reaped all they can ex- 

 pect from the collateral increase in the value of their property that re- 

 sulted from the pioneering done by the companies. They are ceasing to 

 give away franchises because they do not need to do so any longer in 

 order to secure the improvements and because the members of the com- 

 munity do not see a chance to participate in the resulting gains. The 

 old methods are becoming immoral. 



From what has been written it is perhaps apparent that the current 

 agitation is not a reform movement that is leading to a departure from 

 the error of our ways, but a conversion that is changing the whole of our 

 attitude toward many public questions. The spread of the population, 

 the division and occupation of the territory, the development of the 

 country in transportation and manufactures have been part of the eager 

 struggle for the treasures of a new continent in which grants of land, 

 extensions of public credit, protective tariffs, franchises and tacit per- 

 mission to graft have been prominent features. The ends sought have 

 been accomplished and the means that were formerly reputable because 

 commonly shared are now condemned. They can no longer be general 

 in their effect either directly or indirectly. When they are confined to a 

 few they cease to be benefits and become favors; and favors are odious 

 in a democracy. The old policies are passing away because the old 

 economic basis upon which they rested and from which they arose 

 has passed away. The enemies of the old order have come in like a 

 flood, not because of a particularly high moral tidal wave but because 

 the shore has subsided. What is going under water now is going to stay 



