The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-03
MIR. GARLAND,s GRIEVANCE.

assumes that distinct variety of liter
allure is produced in the West; that it
is Disseminated against by the editors,
publishers and critics of the East, and
that it is incumbent upon him, as a
Western man. to defend it. When, a
few months ago. Mr.. Garland came for
ward as champion of Western writer's
and severely censured Eastern editors
and literary purvcyors for their refusal
to do justice to the talent of the Missis-
sippi valley, his position was considered
remarkable for at least two reasons
The first was that his own transcendent
abilities were first recognized in Boston;
that he was. in fact, Boston discov-
cry, and, second. that, according to the
opinion of people perhaps as well quail
fled to judge as he. Western talent re-
ceives it's full share of recognition in
all literary centers. Out of the large
number of authors classed as Western
whose names are familiar to the public,
not one, save Mr.. Garland, makes COM
plant, and some explanation of his at
titude has therefore seemed necessary.
Some observant persons who have noted
the circumstance that his name appears
less frequently in Eastern periodicals
than was the case a few years ago have
suspected that the secret of his wrath
a recent serial story from his pen pub
lished in Chicago periodical, adds
weight to this suspicion. There is rea-
son to believe that If this tale was orig
inally offered to Eastern editors or pub
fishers it was promptly rejected. If
others like it were rendered they doubt
less met the same fate. Mr.. Garland.
being fully appreciative" OF his own
genius, would naturally feel that the
entire West had been injured and in
suited, and hence his indignant protest.
He belongs to that class of writer's who
hold that talent is hampered by conven-
ton, and that novelists in particular
should not be bound by the trammels OF
decency and morality that govern the
daily intercourse of civilized beings, but
should be free to utter their boldest
thoughts and widest vagaries. 1t is
upon this theory, at all events, that he
has acted in writing the story in ques-
ton. He is as all readers of his writ
ings are aware. what is known as
realist. with the propensity that most
so-called realists have for describing So
cial sins of the grosser sort Without
the refinement of true art. he has no
other than a coarse and brutal way of
picturing them. His theme in this in
stance is Illicit love. the woman in the
case being childless wife, the man I'M
married The subject is favorite one
with novelists of certain kind Tolstoi
has handled it with great power in
Anna Karenina," but the force and eff
feet of his story grow out of the fact
that his realism is carried further and
is more truthful than Garland's. The
offenders against the social and moral
consequences of their sin. Even lola,
who does not write to teach a moral, is
too true to nature to permit sin to pass
without penalty. Garland has evolved
theory Of conduct which does not in
c1ude this law. In the story friend
Of the wife's betrayer is made to rep
resent the world and its opinions so far
as this guilty couple is concerned. He
is an honest man. with a respect for
women, and is much shocked at the dis
covery of the conduct OF the pair. At
first he can see no palliation for it, but
in the course of the two or three
days during which the three are
shut UP together in Kansas cabin
by a blizzard his views are modi-
fed. Lying there in the dark
he came to feel. in dim, wordless way,
that this tragedy was born of conven-
tons largely. Also it appeared infini-
tesimal action, like insects battling,
breeding, dying. He also came to feel
that the force which moved these hui
man insects was akin to the ungovern-
able sweep of the wind and snowfall
inexplicable. elemental. immoral. -
He ceased to consider the question as
lying between Rivers the lover) and
Burke (the husband), and considered it
as related to Burke and Blanche.
He put himself in Burke-s place, and
concluded Burke had no claim upon her.
Why should she be tortured to make
some one else doubtfully happy? She
had her rights" In the morning, when
the storm subsidized and the clipping pair
made ready to move on. the forgiving
friend explained that he had thought
things over. Il can't exactly justify
you, Jim, but I guess it all depends on
the woman. She ought to be happy,
anyway. whether we men are or not;
so. If she thinks she had better go with
you, I amt got word to say Then
he wished them goodbye and good luck
and they went away with radiant faces
to the enjoyment, as Mr.. Garland leaves
US to infer. of contentsand happiness.
1t is but just to say that, although
this appears in Chicago magazine, and
though Mr.. Garland is a Western writer,
1t does not truthfully represent Western
or Western ideas. 1t may also
be well to add. for the benefit of any
who may have been impressed by his
attack upon Eastern publishers. that
the Western public cherishes no aninos-
ity against these gentlemen, but is will
ing to extend them vote of thanks for
finding this peculiar variety of literature
unavailable"
THE GARBAGE QUESTION.
The proper disposition of city garbage