St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-05-08
A LITERARY ARrsrocRAoY.

'1mmortals." to BIZ composed of men
eminent III science. literature aud art,
is eliciting a good deal of comment, and
opinions are various both as to the prac-
ticability of this plan and the men OF
whom the academy should be composed
in the event of its institution. There is
even some dispute as to whether the
originator Of the scheme, Gen. Lew
Wallace, is properly entitled to place
in the ranks of ''the few immortal
names that were not born to die" His
fame as an author rests wholly upon
one book-''Ben Hur." 1t is true that
this work has had a remarkable sale
the largest. perhaps, ever attained by
any American publication, "Uncls
Toms Cabin" alone excepted. He has
written one other work which has
achieved moderate success, but this is
under cloud, the author having been
charged with plagiarism both as to
plot and text.
But there are already sy mptoms of a
storm in the literary world as to the con-
stitution Of the college of immortals. 1t
is proposed that Theodore Roosevelt, the
author of a book describing how he
killed buffalo and hooked basket of
speckled trout, shall be one of the orig
inal members. while Archibald Claver-
ng Gunter, who acknowledges the
paternity of '.Mr. Barnes of New
York" and "Mr. Potter Ct Fexas,"
shall be declared. Probably half Of abe
reading men of the country have pc
rused with interest Mr.. Gunter's some
what extrayagant, but, nevertheless.
dramatic and clever works, while those
familiar with Mr.. Roosevelt's hunting
stories could be numbered on ones I'M.
gers and toes. But it has been given
out, somewhat dogmaticafly and prema-
turely,bY the promoters of the Immortal
scheme, that Mr.. Roosevelt's work is lit
erature, while Mr.. Gunter's produce
tons do not reach that level; although
for vivid realism and exciting situations
they are equal to any "tank drama"
ever witnessed on the stage. Zero me K.
Jeromeand Julian Hawthorne are said
to be sure OF calling and cleo
top, and Edward Eggleston may
squeeze in; but there will. be no room
for Ella Wheeler Wilcox. Opie Reid, or
James Whitcomb Riley. And yet the
man oil intelligence and cultivated liter
airy taste derives as much enjoyment
aud benefit from perusal of the books
or the last-named trio as from those of
their more favored brethren. There is
trace of worldly wisdom and diplomacy
in the announcement of the certainty of
the admission OF Richard Watson Giloer
as one of the original members. Mr..
Glider is the editor Of one of our fore
most magazines, and sits in censorship
upon the productions of hundreds of
authors. Perhaps if he were excluded
he might make it interesting for some of
the self.created ImmortaIs. AT any rate.
they propose to keep upon his most
genial side.
The entire plan savors OF the organi-
cation of literary mutual admiration
society. and is destitute of even the
seeming OF merit. Its design is not to
encourage progress and excellence in
literature, but to repress effort in the
fields which it's membership may cover.
There is already complaint that lit.
erary ring" controls many of tn 9 ave-
to all. A certain clique, composed of
few Boston writers, have free access to
the document room of the library Of
congress. and can obtain from 1t any
work they may desire for reference;
while authors from other sections are
denied the privilege, or are refused any
assistance from the librarian or any OF
his subordinates. This is done, it is
charged-and the accusation has been
made on the floor Of congress-in order
that the favored writer's may enjoy a
monopoly of the official data that may
assist them in preparing histories or
historical novels that are now so popu-
lar. 1t is to the credit Of the leading
publishers, however, that they have re-
fused to encourage or support this ring.
This may be due to selishness, as pub
hsbers are more or less at the mercy of
the popular writers' Of the day. and
their interests will be best served by
encouraging competition among the
younger class of authors.
But the college of lmmortals is not yet
an assured fact, and if it shall finally be
instituted it will fail OF accomplishing
its purpose. 1t will require a greater
power than it can WELD to influence the
American reading public. The book
buyer will not be hanipered by the
edicts of any body Of men, no matter
what their standing in literature may
be. Books that are worthy will re-
ceive the stamp of public approval. no
matter what the dictun Of tue Immor