46 THe West AMERICAN SCIENTIST. 
Editorial. 
Tur sixty-filth issue of the Wrest AMERICAN ScreNTIST appears after 
more than a year of silence. The failure of a prominent bank in San Diego, 
eontemporary with failures abroad; explorations which called the editor to 
the plains of the Colorado desert; the death of a man who had been both 
father and comrade to the writer of these lines; and the formation of closer 
ties in marriage, are all incidents which have occurred since the close of 
our last volume. 
The work postponed month by month is at last resumed, just as another 
fnancial crisis is reached in the nation’s history. The temporary closing 
of national and state banks marks a critical period, but the hope is univers- 
al that the crisis is passed. Commercial activity receives a decided check ; 
eredit is shaken; but the episode must point to safer lines of finance, and 
prove a national educator to the masses. 
Our education is yet singularly defective in what pertains to national 
ethics; and the public in its actions shows either gross ignorance of princi- 
ples or indifference to its duties, and seldom do two opinions concerning the 
moral duties of the nation agree. 
The failure of our banks casts no stigma upon our bankers, who, as a 
class, are philanthropic by nature and seek to enhance the nation’s prosper- 
ity. But defects in the national banking system are clearer to the masses 
and to bankers as well. Though many are poorer, yet there is no less 
wealth among us. By means indescribable, yet none the less keenly felt, 
the savings of the poor dwindle, and the giant fortunes of the country con- 
tinue to increase in a corresponding ratio. But upon whom rests the 
blame? We hesitate to indict any class. . 
The unbiased student sunst admit, however, be he of whatsoever polit- 
ical party, that the American government no longer has as its chief aim the 
vood of the masses, put, rather, the protection of corporate interests and 
the advancement of private fortunes receive greater consideration. Neither 
the ‘‘gold bugs’? nor the ‘‘silver kings,” in seeking to establish monometal- 
lism or bimetallism, are advocates. from disinterested standpoints. The 
public press seldom finds occasion to use the word principle, except when 
policy would do as well, and more correctly express the issue at stake. 
But the pessimist should have no place in society; we should rather 
look forward to better things, and aim to exert our influence in the direction 
‘of improvement. The present crisis and concurrent evils will work their 
own relief and lead to greater prosperity and good to the human race. 
We have to thank our cotemporaries who have, with scarcely an excep- 
tion, retained us on their exchange lists. We aim to preserve not only 
complete files of scientific journals,,but local newspapers as well, particular- 
ly those of Southern California. 
The West American Scientist. «smut ent rop 
An Illustrated Monthly Magazine. No. 365 21st street, San Diego, Cal. Annual subscrip- 
tion, $1.00. Single copy, 10 cents. Advertising rate, per half imch, per month, $1.00. 

