The sun., 1893-05-27
Adlai at tho Gate,

The strange combination between poesy
and pork. which characterizes so much OF
the still life OF resident Chicago, is re-
6ected even In the names Of the inhabitants.
Hence 1t need surprise no one to learn that
one OF tho gatekeepers Of the Chicago Fair
10 Mr.. BYRON BACON. His first name recalls
the celebrated English bard; his surname
Is suggestive OF Chicago's vast hog prod
uct. It is taking combination. But Mr..
BYRON BACON has q better claim to the
notice Of his contemporaries than Is fur
nished by his name. He is the man who
refused to admit ADLAI STEVENSON to the
Worlds Fair on Tuesday. without pass.
This Is how 1t happened: Vice-President
STEVENSON. accompanied by Director w. T.
BAKER. went to visit the Fair. Mr.. BAKER
presented his pass and got through the
turnstiIe. but BYRON BACON refused to let
the other gentleman in. He did not know
Mr.. STEVENSON. and asked for his ticket.
The Vice-President had forgotten it. His
hotel was half an hours ride away. and he
did not care to go back for the pass. The
gsteman would not let Mr.. STEVENSON
through. because Of the strict orders issued
from the Bureau Of Admissions. Let this
gentleman In at once" said BAKER angrily;
"he is the Vice-President OF the United
States" Gateman BACON said that he would
let Mr.. STEVENSON through the gates II he
gave him o personal card. The card was
handed over and dropped into the box. and
the Vice President passed in. Mr.. BAKER
was indignant at BACON. and made report
to HORACE TUCKER. The gateman was as
tonished later on to find that he had been
discharged for accepting Mr.. STEvENsoN's
card. He explained that he had admitted
the Vice-President at the demand OF Direc-
tor BAKER. and he was reinstated.
There are two lessons to be drawn from
this event. The first is that the CONNER
cil atmosphere OF Chicago vitiates even
the strong and robust Democracy Of an all
around statesman like ADLAI STEVENSON
What was he doing with a pass2 Why
should not he. Vice-President Of the United
States. pay his fifty cents. and enter the
Fair grounds like an Independent Ameri-
can freeman? Why should he accept
the aims OF Chicago to save half q
dollar2 How much more dignified and
Democratic 1t would have been II ADLAI
had handed over a circular silver coin. and
thus relieved BACON. the gateman. and
BAKER. the director. OF their embarrass.
ment. The ADLAI of the peoples fancy is
stalwart, broad-gauge. catch-as-catch-can
statesman Of prairie dimensions. How
different he appears when revealed In an
attitude OF disputatiOn with q Chicago
gateman over fifty cents. and demanding.
or at least expecting. deadhead exemp-
ton at the great Fair which commentaries
the four hundredth anniversary OF the dis
covery Of America!
We shall not part company with ApnAI
because OF this misstep. when we consider
the proyocation which Chicago gives to
similar acts of an undlgnihed and mer-
Ienary character. 1t seems to be In the air
Al the place. But ADLAI's act was, assur-
eddy. not such as he would have been capa-
BILE OF elsewhere. 1t was un-Democratic:
and that Is the first lesson to be derived
from this surprising episode.
Tho hrmness Of BYRON BACON is to be
commended. He did not finch. He was
not ovsrswsd. He stood firm. BE was. to