Deterioration In Manners

From The Spokesman-Review, Feb 2, 1913

To the editor of The Spokesman-Review:

In an editorial in the Spokesman-Review of the 28th last, titled “Deterioration in Manners of American Men,” are two statements as follows: “But it is fair to contend that the responsibility for the regrettable result rests largely with the women” and “Reform of the degenerate behavior of men socially will come only when women insist on holding the standard of manners high.”

Our mothers, sisters and wives have fed us, clothed us, taught us and sacrificed for us in ways innumerable and inexpressable, but in spite of all their solicitude for us we are such spineless creatures and such cravenhearted mollycoddles that we cannot stand upon our own feet nor will we assume reponsibility in our manhood for our own defects.

We are still playing the despicable role of dumping our grossness upon those whom we sometimes in our childish assumption of superiority call “the weaker vessel.” And it would seem from your editorial that this barbaric Adamic trait is not yet dead.

It is true that morals and manners are not identical and that a degenerate may have a thorough acquaintance with the polite usage of society, but our lack of manners and right morals also has been laid at the door of woman. If a boy happens to reach manhood morally filthy, unmannerly, spewing tobacco and vile language like a sewer, and defective in gentlemanly traits, of course, the continuous refining example of dear daddy, uncle and Mr. Neighbor across the street has been nullified by some grievous lack in the Eve at home.

What milksops these shilly-shally men are anyway. James Grant Spokane

This sidebar appeared with the story: News of the day Headlines from Feb 2, 1913: Golden Gridiron for Taft is Gift of Famous Club Judge Shows Ire Against Editor Spokane Zoo Gets Wild Animals From Government Pennies Pay the Fines at Boise