The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-29
OUR CHEAP JOHN.

Clara Morris behind the scenes would scarcely
be worth moments attention, and was
barely mentioned in the Journal. But it
seems there was more in it than appeared on
the surface. 1t was caught up as matter of
moment and, in the form of special telegram,
has gone abroad as something of importance.
The Courier-Journal devotes quar-
ter of column to it, infinitely
describing the decorations and pardon
ably magnifying few dozen hand
.clappings supplemented by as many cat-calls
from those in the gallery who could not see
what was going on, into an ''ovation" on the
distinguished gentleman's entrance. The ac-
count goes on to say that second "ovatiOn"
was there, and was extended to Miss Morris
on the rising of the curtain, 'Mr. Hendricks
himself leading the applause" 1t is not
stated whether he stamped with his
feet or whistled through his fingers,
or whether he contented himself with merely
clapping his hands, but he '1ed the applause"
A half dozen lines are then bestowed upon the
acting Of Miss Morris. and then the following,
which we insist is enough to sicken Mr.. Hen
dricks's stanohest adherent:
'After the performance an informal recep-
ton took place on the stage, Manager Good
win acting as master of ceremonies and pre-
senting Miss Morris to the distinguished par
ty. AS Mr.. Hendricks took Miss Morris by
the hand he expressed his delight at the meet
ing, and his high appreciation for her abilities
as an artistic. Said he:
"'Your performance tonight Is the first l
have attended since my election. 1t afforded
me such u rare treat that l shall always re-
member you on each recurring national
Thanksgiving Day as the one great artistic
whose genius was 30 magical as for the time
to lift me up above and beyond the hurly
burly Of everyday affairs, and to cause me to
remember only the scenes and incidents in the
life of the character you portrayed. 1t was a
grand performance, Miss Morris, and l shall
never forget it."
His first thought as usual, is Of himself
-''since my election" What possible need
was there Of introducing this reference to
HIMSELF From this characteristic bit of ego
tism, he Stops over into the veriest gostration
and effusiveness, Listen to this mar
velously great man: Your "genius
was so magical as for the time to lift
me above and beyond the hurly-burly of
everyday affairs, and to cause me to remem-
Der only the scenes and incidents portrayed"
etc. When will this man of gas
conade and self FORMULATION cease his
monody the burden of which is ''me"
and "my electionY" We do not recall single
instance in which man elected TO The vice
presidency has bloviated, and strutted up and
down the land, and postured and played the
role Of great statesman" as has Mr. Hen
bricks And to think Of 1t all being capped
with the absurdity of "booming" an actress
and himself in one and the same BREATH If
it were Mr.. Cleveland, apology would be easy
1t could with reason be argued in defense that
he is man unaccustomed to public prom
inence, and is, moreover, no "greaF man;
but Hendricks-heaven help us!-is not only
a "grea" man, but 30 very, very great that
he holds up Indiana Democracy by the tail
and carries It's vote in his vest pocket
In all sincerity, we maintain that this man
should now stop. AS a representative man,
since ''my election" his utterances and gen
eral behavior must bring credit or discredit
upon the State of Indiana. That it has not
been the former is attested by the general
chorus of ridicule that has come
up from even the Independent and
the Democratic press all over the country. 1t
is pitiful sight to see Mr.. Hendricks parad-
ing before Eastern audiences, and pompously
arrogating to himself functions to which he
can the postmaster at Podunk. He has had
hundred fold as much to say about the Cabi-
net as has Mr.. Cleveland himself, and to
hear him talk one would think he expected to
conduct the administration in person. The
good sense of his fellow Democrats in Indiana
condemned his "monkeying"-th term is
most ftting-in the East, and now to put this
new humiliation upon his admirers and upon
the State is altogether too much. To descend
to the petty trick of stage advertising. to have
his name once more telegraphed abroad, were
impossible in almost any other prominent
public man in Indiana In the name of dig
nifty and personal pride, let MIR. Hendricks be
prevailed upon to ''let up" Indiana has suf-
fered enough.
S1@.A...--
THE Supreme Court of Illinois has already