The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-21
"rgE NAV wirnour rnE NOE.
An Unusual Oppbstunity for True Poets
Prizes of AAAO. RaOO md aIOO.

Three weeks ago citizen OF New York.
whose name and standing arc known TO US,
In lstterto THE Sun. signed Responsibility. "
| onered first prize 81 $500. second prize OF
$500. and third prize Of 500 for the three
best poems In q general way antiphonal to Mr..
Edwin Markham's we'll known verses entitled
The Man With tho Hoo" Our CORRESPOND
ents ideas in making this unprecedented
generous offer to genius were defined by him
| self az follows:
Whata about the man without the hoe no who can
not get work. or. having the opportunity to labor
won't do III There are thousands Of young men in
this country who have been educated UP 10 the point
where the honest and healthfu occupation Of their
fathers In the held has become distAsteful to them
and. in many cases. they have grown TO be ashamed
ofh and Of their parents In European countries,
particularly. there are multitudes OF young men.
the younger sons Of titled people, for instance who
nave been taught that common labor work in the
trades Ia beneath them. and they sink their indiyd
uality, their manhood and their future In the ranks
OF tue army and In petty GOVERNORS positions.
They must have money, but they must earn II only
In "Renteel" way. These are the with ut the
hoe-the real brothers to the OK who shall tell
their storyS Who shall best sing the bitter song
OF the incapables who walk the earth driven hither
and thither like beasts By the implaca able sentiment
OF false social education suffering the tortures Of
the damned and bringing distress upon those de-
pendent on them because they have lost that true
Independence Of soul that comes TO him who dares
mater Of his destiny.
He accordingly invited the poets to try their
hands at poem worthy OF the theme here
suggested. "brevity. strength OF sentiment
and expression. aud literary grace and merit to
be the factors Of merit " in the award.
Since then we have received nuns rous poems
on the subject OF The Man Without the Hoe.
ana still more numerous Inquiries as to the
conditions OF the contest. the gcnuineness OF
the proposal. the responsibility Of the person Of
fering the prizes. the style Of treatment de-
sired. the length Of the verses. the preferable
metre. and so forth. Applications come from
bards have never heard OF Mr.. Markham's
poem. and desire us to furnish them with
copy OF the same or TO explain to them its
meaning. in order that they may be In po-
sition to compete intelligently. We are even
favored with specimens OF verse on other sub
jects. In order TINT We may render an opinion as
to the probability OF the uthor's success Is this
competition.
great many OF our friends seem to think
that this is a competition instituted and man
aged by THE Sun. We beg leave. therefore, to
say that THE Sun cannot undertake to engage
In correspondence respecting Responsible
tvs" offer with poets intending to compete for
'ne prize. 'ur part IN the matter Is limited TO
these functions
!. To guarantee the good faith and entire
responsibility of the gentleman Offering the
500 in prizes, and the strict hilfllment OF his
promises. This we do without hesitation or
reserve.
2. To receive at this Office and transmit to
the responsible person manuscripts offered in
competition. or communications referring to
the contest. This we shall do with pleasure.
1t will probably be our privilege to announce
soon the names Of the judges. and later the
result OF the contest.
Manuscripts Intended for this competition
will be received until Oct 10. Poems may
be sent either with the name and address OF
the author Openly attached. or accom- panied
by name and address In scaled envelope to be
opened after the award. In every case where
the return OF the manuscript is desired q
stamped and addressed envelope should be
enclosed. All manuscripts or Communications
should be addressed as follows:
" THn MAN WITHOUT THE HOE COMPETITION,
Care OF THE Sun.
New York City"