THE COURIER
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At the recent republican state convention thoro were at least two
prominent candidates for office who belong to tho newspaper frater
nity, T. J. Pickett, of Ashland, and Will M. Maupin, of North Bend.
It is perhaps unnecessary to add that neither was successful. News
paper men seldom get anything in politics beyond a post office now
and then. Editors are all right in their place; but when thoro nro
offices to give out it is the politicians instead of tho newspuper men
that draw tho prizes.
"Is eloquenco dead in Washington?" inquires our clever contempo
rary, Town Topics, prompted by the almost unvarying dulncss of
the democratic congress, and ignoring altogether tho "boy orator of
the Platte," whose ilights somehow do not attract tho attontion they
did a couplo of years ago. MoBt pcoplo will agreo withtlio following
expression:
"Can anyono remember a singio phrase in the hundreds of speech
es that have beon escaping from our senators and representatives
during the past several months? I beliovo not. I beliovo that in
addition to being tho most dishonest crew of legislators that has
ever blocked tho halls of congress, theso men that aro now skulking
to their homes aro tho least gifted that tho country has seen since
wo became a republic. And tho good cause of President Cioveland
has suffered inexpressibly from this thorough absence of tho rhetori
cal talent among his supporters. A really great statesman a states
man of the character, forco and eloquenco of Charles Sumner
would have risen in the senate on one of those tedious days this
summer and Hailed tho recreant crew that was tluttering and jab
bering there liko crows over carrion. Ho would havo set forth tho
shame of that body in such terms that tho whole infamy of the war
against the president would have been made clear. But there was
no such genius to lift a voice. Blank incompetency, next to organ
ized corruption, was tho characteristic of tho senate of this session.
The champion of Cioveland was David B. Hill, an avowed enomy of
the president's who indulged in a mildly sarcastic defense of tho
administration on ono or two occasions, providing amusement to
tho republican side of the chamber, whoso members laughed merrily!
while tho country went on its way to ruin. Thoro was not a strong,
dignified and effective speech from beginning to end mado for or
against tho Wilson bill. The bill was manipulated, haggled over and
mutilated by schoming, speculative politicians, that had not the
moral forco or the mental fertility to speak nobly and eloquently.
The president has been extremely unfortunato in his supporters in
the Benate. They were weak, dumb and useless. Tho loudest voico
of all, the voico that came through tho turgid dulness like a buzz
saw through a board, wbb the voico of Gorman. And that roared
out insults to tho president, as a Billingsgate flshwoman roars when
trade is bad. Tho Gorman senate is ono that we shall not caro to
remember."
Today, if the program is carried out, W. J. Bryan becomes editor
of tho World-Herald, the congressman and his groatest admirer,
Mr. G. M. Hitchcock, coming together in a quasi-partnership.
When a man achieves a certain amount of notoriety nowadays some
body usually makes him an offer to go into tho nowspaper business.
The proposition made by Mr. Hitchcock to Mr. Bryan is on a parity
with tho offers made by various newspaper proprietors to J. J.
Ingalls upon the lattor's rotirement from tho United States senate.
Mr. Bryan enjoys a razzlo dazzlo reputation very much liko that of
Ingalls, only in less degree. If thoro is littlo .substance in tho ex
pressions of tho so-called "brilliant" Kansas republican, thero is a
liko predominance of tho purely showy qualities in tho young demo
pop who now becomes an editor. Wo do not know of any special
qualifications possessed by Mr. Bryan that lit him for tho dischargo
of tho duties of an editorial position; but there is an idea abroad
that anybody can becomo an editor, liko anybody can become a sew
ing machine agent.
It doesn't seem to bo generally known, but Mr. Hitchcock, tho
proprietor of tho World-Herald, relinquished tho editorial manage
ment of his paper a year or so ago, to tako tho direction of affairs in
tho business office. Mr. Metcalfe, familarily known as "Met," or.e of
tho best posted men on democratic and populist politics in tho stato
has, to a considerable extent, shaped tho editorial policy of the paper.
Mr. Bryan, with his other duties, can hardly give any attention to
tho details of tho business, so that thero will be littlo if any change
in tho present forco of tho paper.
Wo do not liko to put any discouragement in tho way of Mr.
Bryan; but wo are afraid his experience in journalism will bo dis
appointing. Talking to an oxcited and impressioiablo multitude,
with tho oxorciso of tho professional stump speaker's arts anil blan
dishments, is ono thing, and speaking to tho public througn tho
medium of cold and clammy types that havo a provoking way of
killing tho tiro and sentiment that may animate tho writor, is another
and entirely different thing. Tho samo things cannot bo said in an
editorial that aro worked in so effectively in a stump speech. Ono
can resort to almost any extravagance of speech when ono is speak
ing to one's own friends and admirers; but porno caro has to bo taken
in writing, editorially, for a public composed of all kinds of readers;
and wo r redict that Mr. Bryun will (lnd himself much hampered in
tho editorial sanctum. Tho mind that has been wont to appeal
with a master's skill to tho emotions of men, from the rostrum, und
that has fed on tho rapturous applauso of a delighted audience, is
likely to bo unsatisfied with tho return from his editorial expressions.
But here's wishing him luck!
It is told of Mrs. Kendal that at a reception given by Mr. und
Mrs. Georgo Grossmith, in London, Mrs. John Wood and Mrs.
Bancroft (Miss Mario Wilton) wore occupying a sotteo und talk
ing over old times and reminiscences of old days. The statoly
Madgo entered tho room, und space was at onco mado for her
between tho two ladies. After a few commonplaco remarks,
Mrs. John Wood remarked, "Madge, dear this is the first timo
wo threo have sat together Binco wo wero all in tho front row
of tho ballet." Beforo Mrs. Kendal had timo o reply, Mrs.
Bancroft struck in, "And do you remember tho troublo you had
with your legB, Madge dear?" This was too much, and with a
"Willie, dear, it id bo warm here I must leave!" tho pair de
parted, and tho two old comrades had a huge laugh to themselves.
It was an unkind joke, as Mrs. Kendal, li'te Lady Henry Sumer
set, has a rooted objection to iiving pictures and tho oxposuro
of feminino understandings. Sho is said to bo rather weak in
that department herself, and to bo so particular in her Har
Ioy street home that even tho supports of chairs, tables and
pianos aro decorously clothed, and Willie is not allowed to uso
tho family bath tub unless ho is completely enveloped in a
bathing-suit of Asbury Park severity.
Haverly's Minstrels will bo seen at tho Lansing theatro Septem
ber .1, und on tho 5th tho attraction will bo "Mr. Barnes of Now
York." On tho 7th and 8th Lincoln J. Carter's "Fast Mail" will bo
presented, and on tho 10th, 11th, and 12th, Ed Church and John
Griffith's "Faust" company will hold tho boards, Other attractions
booked for the 6eason of "01 and '95 at tho Lansing are: Tho
Lyceum Stock Company, "Devil's Auction;' Robert Downing
Sidnoy Ellis in "Derby Winner," "Gloriana," "Jane;" Corso Payton,
"Star Gazer," "Chip of tho Old Block," "Hustler;" Conrcye and
Fox, "4-11-44," "A Trip to Chinatown," Fannie Marshall. "Investor,"
"Friends;" Charles A.Lodor, "Silver Wedding," "Shenandoah:"
II. O. Graham, "County Fair," "End of tho World," Bobby Gaylor,
"Tallow Candle," "Bunch of Koys;" Donnelly and Girard, Thomas
A.; Seabroder, Katie Emmett, "In Old Kentucky," "Zozo," "A
Railroad Ticket," "Captain's Mail." "Tho Girl I Left Behind Me;"
Sol Smith Russell, Hermann, "Von Yonson," "County Circus;"
Ward acd James, "Baggage Check;" John L. Sullivan, "East
Lynne;" J. K. Emmett, Wm. Brady, Barlow's Minstrels, "Charley's
Aunt," "Spider and Fly" "A Temperance Town;" Tim Murphy in
his new comedy, "Pulso of New York,"kWhitnoy Opera Company
in "Robin Hood" and "Fencing Master, "Stairs of Gold," "Eight
Bells," "Paul Kauvar," "Pawn Ticket 210;" Russell's Comedians,
"Struck Oil," "Little Speculator," "J492;" Marie Jansan, "Superba."
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