OCR Text |
Show THE CITIZEN 6 ' But with his usual facility for adaptation he comes forward with a proposal that a government publication be employed to protect and preserve the presidential primary. The government, he says, can fix limitations and prescribe qualifications', and then at public expense lay before the voters the information necessary to permit an intelligent choice. Many of our big newspapers, he adds, arc merely adjuncts to Has Mr. Bryan' any business and make deception their trade. guarantee that the newspaper he proposes would not be, as it was in the earlier centuries of printing, an adjunct of government and that it would not make deception its trade in behalf of the party or It hints at an old, discredited order of things. He would decide when to publish the paper and when to suspend. When duck shooting was good in Texas he could take a vacation for a few months. The presses would Stop and all the sub-edito- rs the clique in power? , Lest we might imagine that the proposed publication would be .published only for a year or so prior to each presidential election, Mr. Bryan informs us that the time is ripe for a bulletin dealing exclusively with government business. Of course, if such a paper is to be established, Mr. Bryan should be placed in charge, for. so far as we are able to determine, he is the only one in the country who knows how to run such a paper without admitting into it any polluted publicity. We assume, of course, that he knows,, although he is a little vague on details. It should furnish editorial space, properly divided between the parties, for the discussion of the questions at issue, so that every voter would be able to sit in judgment, he says. Such a bulletin issued at intervals between campaigns and more frequently during campaigns, could be used as a substitute for the literature for which candidates now spend their own money or the money of their and bulletin collectors sent home. When he returned from Texas or Palm Beach he could go about getting a new force together and perhaps a million would spring to arms between daylight and dusk. An even more delicate task would present itself during the period of the presidential primaries. He could then decide whether a certain Leonard Wood or a Hiram Johnson Should have as much space as a Mr. McAdoo or a Mr. Palmer. And after that had been determined he would be called upon to say whether Senator Hitchcock, was entitled to a paragraph next to the weather report. Perhaps some roistering blade oj a politician from Skow Crossing, who considered himself the great and only Commoner, would demand as much space as had been assigned to Wood or Johnson. But all this would be a festal diversion as compared with the grave task of deciding what names the candidates would be allowed to call one another, the critics and rank outsiders. If one of the candidates furtively bought up a few black and tan convention delegates would another candidate be permitted to point it out in the official bulletin? Or if some old letters of a candidate revealing him, in a sensational light should bob up would the bulletin print them and, if so, would the postoffice department exclude the paper from the mails? And if the bulletin libeled the candidate who would pay the damages? Would the official bulletin, without the slightest responsibility, be permitted to assassinate character and ruin reputation? As a substitute for the bulletin we suggest a government joke friends. book. Just a little thought will show that Editor Bryans task would be important. He would decide just how space could be properly He would resist the rude clamor of partisans who thought divided. they ought to have more and their rivals less space. Moreover, he would determine just what questions were at issue and how much. . In extentuation it may be said that the slush funds are made up of thirty-ce- nt dollars.. Even one term in Mexico appears to be unconstitutional. SWANSON THEATRE CIRCUIT PRESENTING THE PICK OF THE PICTURES AMERICAN GEM FOUR DAYS BEGINNING SUNDAY The classiest Theatre west of New York. One week starting Saturday its established policy to present only the biggest and best attractions on the market, the AMERICAN THEATRE presents STRAND Saturday and Sunday. In line with Beautiful WANDA HAWLEY'S drama of love and forgiveness. of the ages brought down to modern life. problem ANITA STEWART First Starring Vehicle "THE WHITE DOVE and MISS HOBBS Featuring the eminent actor EARL WILLIAMS Adapted from the celebrated play by Jerome K. Jerome, author of The Passing of the Third Floor Back and other notable successes. Altogether irresistible, the adorable Miss Hawley is surrounded by a cast of exceptional merit, includ-in- g Harrison Ford, Jack Mulhall, Helen Jerome Eddy, Walter Miers and Juiianne Johnston. H. B. WARNER A soul-stirrin- A g with excellent supporting cast . Written by William J. Locks, author of Beloved Vagabond, and other Septimus, known books. A Philharmonic Orchestra, Ted Hendel, Conductor Gordon Bretland at the Organ. in The well tense, emotional drama. It will make you think It will make you wonder. COME EARLY AND AVOID THE CROWDS Snub Pollard Comedy, ALL DRESSED Pathe Review. UP Last Times Saturday, Blanche Sweet in SIMPLE SOULS Reservations for parties of any size on the parlor floor. Orchestra. 9 THE JUGGERNAUT Written by Donald I. Buchanan and Ralph W. Ince. Edited by Mr. and Mrs. George Randolph Chester. The crash of trains through ting timbers; The crash. of souls in a hopeless struggle against wrong These are the elements of this UNUSUAL PRODUCTION Comedy. YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU BOUGHT A TICKET rot- Big V Comedy |