JuLY AND AuGusT oF THIS YEAR have been off sum- 
mer months in more than one sense on the North Shore. 
The weather has not been satisfying as summer weather, 
to say the least. It almost seems as though it has been 
necessary to see July and August through to enjoy the 
summer weather the first days of September. In late 
June the Salem holocaust aroused everyone’s sympathies. 
The sorrow, suffering of this calamity were evident all 
through July. And horrors above horrors have fallen 
upon the human mind by the European conflict. The 
closing of the stock exchanges, the cessation of business 
connections with Europe, the anxiety for friends and 
relatives abroad,—all these and everything more that war 
means has made August a memorable month of no good 
repute. In the sportmen’s paradise some things have gon2 
awry. The yachting world lost the friendly contest for 
the America’s cup. In the surf, the bathers have been 
fewer than usual. Life at the clubs has been exceedingly 
dull. From Boston to Rockport it has been a decidedly 
off year. But all these are inconsiderable compared with 
the cares of the European nations. The summer season 
of 1914 will long be remembered. 
Tur Nationa, CALAMIty that has befallen us may 
may aid President Wilson in his personal ambitions. 
Save the shipping propostion he has handled the situation 
skilfully and he may even be able to put that through. 
The American people do not often change adminstrations 
in a crisis and it is almost assurred that the Democrats 
will renominate Wilson and perhaps the party will be 
able to hold enough independent votes to re-elect the head 
of the ticket. 
Wuar Ruin anv Distress would have befallen the 
new world if the stock exchanges had remained open! 
No one knows how many fortunes have been kept intact 
by the level-headed action of the board of administrators 
of the Boston and New York exchanges. 
America Cannot PLAy a Monte Cristo “stunt” and 
call the world his own because of the purchase of a few 
ships. A few government owned ships may help a little, 
but it is a long way to an efficient, American-owned and 
operated marine shipping supremacy. 
Tuere 1s A HuMAN Sipe to this fearful struggle. 
What are com'ron soldiers thinking and talking about? 
It cannot be that all of them understand. And it is 
a wonder that ranks are kept intact so well in the face 
of a withering fire! 
By AN FRrRoR IN ENGROSSING, there is a Tennesee 
law prohibiting owners of live stock from running at 
large. What a pity such “pounding” of Kaisers cannot 
be arranged. 
Tue ALLIES HAVE MAINTAINED a good fighting, 
watchful, waiting campaign. This is exasperating to the 
Germans whose line of progress is impeded, 
With THE REPUBLICANS OF THE StTaTE united for 
Hon. Samuel W. McCall of Winchester as their candi- 
date for governor, interest in the state campaign centres 
largely on the three-handed contest for the nomination 
for lieutenant-governor, in which Col. A. H. Goetting of 
Springfield, Speaker Grafton D. Cushing of Brookline 
and Elmer A. Stevens of Somerville are engaged. Many 
Republicans feel that it might have been more pleasant, 
all things considered, if Col. A. H. Goetting of Spring-— 
field, last year’s standard bearer, had been accorded a 
renomination by unanimous consent, in view of his splen- 
did run of last year, when he polled 34,000 more votes 
than the head of the ticket. Republicans all over the 
state recall his particularly strong run. They remember 
his five years’ record of efficient service in the governor's 
council, and realize that his ripe experience and clear in- 
sight of state affairs gained thereby are valuable assets 
for a lieutenant-governor. Furthermore, with the candi- 
date for governor coming from the eastern section of the 
state, the lieutenant-governor should be selected from the 
western part if the greatest strength is desired for the 
ticket. There is no stronger man in public life in West- 
ern Massachusetts than Col. Goetting. 
Wuart HAs Become of the high sounding “Knights” 
of Labor and their elaborate parades all over the Com- 
monwealth. The Boston celebration, of course, saves the 
face of organizations, but the day has really become one 
of the best of the holidays. So to speak, Fourth of July 
opens the mid-summer season and Labor Day with the 
opening of schools the same week ends the vacation sea- 
son for thousands. It is the auspicious date upon which 
Labor Day falls that makes it one of the most popular 
holidays. 
Uniti, Now, To THE ORDINARY INDIVIDUAL, the 
strange stories of newly-invented rapid fire guns, aerial 
bombs, artillery machines and other deadly instruments 
have not meant much believing as many did that it was 
but an interesting by play of science. But the destructive 
use of the murder machines in this war has forever dis- 
illusioned the most simple. 
ON THE SECOND OF SEPTEMBER, the French remem- 
bered Sedan and held the Germans. France was not 
able to obtain revenge but it was able to take the “spunk” 
out of a hilarious military celebration of the day by 
Germany. 
Tue REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES in this county will be 
of great interest. Some notable contests are on, but it is 
unlikely that an aspirant for Washington honors will be 
able to unseat a worthy and honorable man. 
Tv 1s Evipen’t THAT THE GERMAN FLExEr is not going 
to take any chances with the British line of battle. 
THE ARMAMENT ProGRAM of the American nation 
ought not to be oppossed seriously after 1914! = 
