The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-09-09
"A Spoil of Office"
HAMLIN GARLAND's NOVEL OF THE
GRANGE, THE ALLIANCE, THE
PEOPLES PARTY.

GRANGE, THE ALLIANCE, THE
PEOPLES PARTY.
This story is undoubtedly the most
powerful and truthful study of the
great industrial revolution being
carried on by the intelligent farmers
of America which has appeared in
fiction. 1t is not a campaign book,
but in many respects it is more i'm
portant, as it unfolds the spirit of
the new revolution in manner which
appeals TO the essential manhood
and womanhood of every reader,
enlisting his sympathy before he is
aware of the fact. Thousands of
people will by this book be led into
the new movement. who could not be
induced to read campaign book for
the Peoples Party; hence the wider
its circulation the better for the
cause.
AS a story, it is strong, clear,
powerful, and above all, truthful. 1t
opens with the Grange period and
describes exactly how the Patrons of
Husbandry rose and fell, and the
relation of the Alliance to its great
forerunner, the Grange. 1t next
reveals how naturally and inevitably
the Peoples Party came as q logical
outcome of the Alliance movement.
1t deals with western farm life, and
wonderful indeed are the studies of
the farm. 1t gives glimpse of
school days; it portrays state and
national legislation with startling
fidelity the shallowness and hypoc-
risy. the corruption and dishonesty
of money.controlled and lobby. engi
neered legislation were never more
truthfully pictured than id GA Spoil
of Office" 1t shows the reign OF
special legislation and furnishes
vivid prose etchings of congressional
life.
Mr.. Garland travelled more than
10000 miles in order to make this
story vital and true to actual condi-
tons. In Bradley we have the evo-
luton Of western boy, from an
ignorant farm hand to an incorrupt-
ible representative of the people in
Congress. He is not hero; he is a
man. 1t is a noble creation and will
prove an inspiration to thousands of
boys. Bradley often reminds one of
that truly noble, clean, and thought
full, but basely slandered statesman,
Jerry Simpson. with this exception:
Bradley failed to make any great
impression during his first term, and
Mr.. Simpson has aroused the alarm
of the capitalistic press of the nation
by his brave, manly, wise and states
manlike utterances and suggestions
in Congress. Bradley came two
years too early to get a chance to
strike at entrenched wrong. His
success lay in keeping unspotted
from corruption. When he goes
back as the peoples representative,
be will not be dominated by the
Gar of the House. Ida WILDER, the
heroine, is also noble study, type
of the splendid womanhood which
this great movement of the people is
calling to the front. The west today
is alive with Ida Wilbers, strong.
brave and magnificent heralds of the
dawning day.
"A Spoil of Office" as a story, is
strong and of absorbing interest.
Every member of the family will be
charmed with it. AS an art creation
it is one of the most notable works
of recent years, and is the first and
only story by leading literary man
which deals with the present great
uprising of the people in America.
The story is handsomely printed in
large, clear type, and contains almost
four hundred pages. 1t is published
by the Arena Publishing Company,
of Copley Square, Boston, Mass.
Price. paper, SO cts; cloth, $l.00.