The herald., 1897-12-07
WHERE THE LAUGH COMES IN

Our grave and reverend contemporary,
the Times, reads The Herald a curtain
lecture because of our undue levity and
worldly -mindedness in discussing Secre-
tary Alger and his little advertisement.
Nothing could have been further from
us than envy of our Republican neigh
bors in their enjoyment of this morsel
of government patronage. Let us see:
| At commercial rates, this advertisement,
published six times in The Herald, would
come to Sc and no cents. Does it seem
likely that The Herald would shed edi-
torial tears over such a trifle? Perish
the thought!
No, The Herald never expected it and
was not disappointed in not getting it;
but we> did enjoy an equal advantage
with our contemporary in publishing it
ahead of time gratis If Statesman AL
ger had only given us the tip, we would
have gladly paid him Sc for the privilege
of making the first exclusive publication.
However, to print it on any terms was
glory enough for one day.
AS to Secretary Alger's attitude in the
premises, we may or may not have mis-
judged him. Perhaps he is incapable of
taking so small a revenge on Republi-
can papers that have ventured to criti-
else him. Perhaps he does not publish
anywhere more detailed specifications
than he does here. We can only wait un-
til the facts develop.
But if The Herald, together with the
community at large, had diversified the
magnitude of this advertising PROPOSE
tion, Statesman Alger is largely respon-
sible for the msconception. 1t was some
time last month, we believe, when
Statesman Alger began to experience
grave doubts as to whether there We're
any available funds for publishing this
advertisement. He kept the country in
breathless suspense for a week or two
while he parleyed about it. The ques-
tion was referred in all seriousness TO
| the comptroller of the currency or some
other high official, and the availability
| of the $4,000 left over from the former
| appropriation was discussed. Mean
while the newspapers of this coast be-
| gan to grow anxious. The San Fran
cisco Examiner, with it's usual reckless
ness, telegraphed to Statesman Alger
that it would publish the advertisement
for nothing, and then with marked COM
placency proclaimed the fact to the
world. The Express, more careful in its
business methods, wired to the secre-
tary that it would publish and wait on
the government for payment! The
Times also proclaimed willingness not
to be hard on Uncle Sam in the matter
of collection. Then capitalists began to
pop up in various places and offer to
foot the bill.
But all of these magnanimous offers
We're waved off by Statesman Alger Il
cannot have the government placed un-
der obligations to private individuals"
he said.
Il WILL PAY THE BILL OUT OF
MY OWN POCKET!"
Now is there any wonder that, after
all this rigmarole, The Herald fell into
the error of supposing that the adver-
tising for proposals was quite an under
taking?
| Since the little ten-line chick has de-
veloped and we look back at the fuss and
feathers involved in it's incubation, the
whole thing becomes too funny for ex-
preston. 1t would make a bronze statue
laugh. 1t outshnes all the cxtravagan-
zas of "Pinafore" and the Pirates of
Penzance' The mountain has been in
labor
ct nascitur ridicuus mus
We hope that our dignified neighbors
on the other side of the political fence