The Portland daily press., 1900-10-04
POLITICAL CARTOONS.
PeO PIE Who Do Not Give Up the Time
to Articles Depend ON Cartoons for
Their Ideas.

| (From the ST. Louis Iilobe-Democrat.
| LESS than 10 years ago leading west
ern editor, discussing the possible future
of the daily newspaper, declared his an
tic1pation that at no distant day every
newspaper would have an art depart
ment and a staff of competent ARTISTS,
and every political newspaper would be
provided with cartoonist for the pur-
pose OF conveying to Its readers argu-
ments and sarcasm which the editors did
not care to put into type. 10 the listen
ers the predictions seemed enthusiastic,
not to say wild, but both have been
realized, and In time which, even con-
sidering the rapid1ty OF modern develop
ments, is surprisingly short.
| The demand for illustration Is one OF
the most remarkable features of modern
journalism, ana, no matter In what light
it is considered, it must be regarded as
an evidence OF progress. The demand
has created its own supply, for as soon as
it became apparent that men and women
could realize living incomes from news
paper art, they hastened to avail them
selves Of the educational facilities offered
by the art schools, and thus, where there
was one artist 10 years ago, there ara
now dozen, and still the number in
creases, for, as occurs In. every vocation
the demand creates a supply larger than
is really necessary. There is, however,
one branch Of art which will never be
overcrowded, for so peculiar AMI unusual
are the necessary qualifications that not
one man in a score, even am Ongssthe..profes-
sionel artists, can meet the demands
made upon him in this line. The polit-
ical oaricature has become a weapon Sc
formidable that few political journals can
afford to dispense with it, and those that
do are undoubtedly placed at disadvan,
tage by the omission of a feature that
people have come to regard as one OF the
most entertaining of the many epaI't.
ments now maintained by every great
newspaper
The political caricature or cartoon Is
to no inconsiderable extent, the outcome
of the haste, hurry ald rush of modern
life. We now live under such a Stress
that comparatively few people can spare
the time to read even the news comprised
IN the columns OF a daily journal, to sax
nothing of the speeches the solid argu
ments, the lengthy communications
which political leaders are won't to in
n1ct on the public during the course of &
canvass. 1t is surprising to what an ex
tent most people obtain their views al
second hand. Not having themselves The
time to read the leaders. the speeches, the
communications, they are willing TO ac
cept the statements of those having mor
leisure than themselves, and thus adopt
with or without modification, the opin
ions Of people who take the pains to IN
form themselves regarding subjects O.
public Interest In every little circle
therefore; there is usually one indiyEdua
to whom the others look for information
and opinion, and be is commonly pre
pared to furnish either or both to IN.
members of his encourage.
The political and social caricat1re ha,
not deprived OF his position this humbl
leader of thought, but 1t has tended +,
diminish his Importance, for the carica
lure has the singular merit OF enabIin,
1ne reader at glance to balance for him
sell the two sides of the controversy. AN,
assert his preference accordingly. In a.
! nature the oaricature is a summary of al
Iha5 is to be said on subject OF, concern
ing any branch Of a subject; it Is a nres
sn5a01on OF the argument in a condense,
form, and In style which enables ar,
reader TO see 1T at a glance Comnare
GlVely Tew persons are able to COM or,r,s
neno an abstract argument. still feEn-e
nave The patience to make the necessar.
enor5 or to undergo the labor deInanaa
lOr ene reading and assimilation of tn
lengthy d1squisitions which are the stool
~ Vraue OF political orators and writers