The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-12
A SPUR FOR GENIUS !:
Minneapolis, Authors Heartily In
dorse Booth Tarkington's Plan.
DIR. DENTON WOULD GO FARTHER
He Would Have the Federal Gov
ernment Establi a Depart
ment of POesy.

cTA"cAl ESlHDA1SA ii DcpAEN.
ment of Poesy.
The determination of Booth Tarking-
ton, the Indiana author and candidate
for the legislature, to introduce bill
appropriatirg annual prizes to the
amount Of. $500 for the reward of literary
achievement in the hoosier state may or
may not be approved by the Authors
club of Minneapolis. Yet the plan re-
ceives the appreciation of DR.. Lyman w.
Denton, the local litterateur, author OF
Under the Magnolias'' and of the ad
mired poem, "Twilight, who is intuen-
tial in the club.
"Tarkingtons proposition said DR..
Denton yesterday, sis step forward.
Something should be done for our ma
tional poets. But have been intending
to bring the matter before congress. We
should have at Washington an academy,
bureau CT department of poetry, with
representative poet in charge, sort Of
American poet laureate; who might be
styled, let us say, the secretary of poetry.
The proposition may seem novel: Yet
1t is really matter of serious import
to the nation. What does not the world
owe to poetry? What would the home be
without it's verses of fidelity? Imagine
love without u poem?" (the speakers fine
eyes glowed.) "Redect how poets, and
poets only, from the days of the Israel
itish bards, have been able to voice the
genuine spirit Of religion! ,-
Your poet, indeed, is the grand force
Of the nation. 1t is he that inspires the
school child to the emulation of great
deeds, and in the recollection Of a half
forgotten verse the man and father finds
encouragement for persistence towards
high ideals, despite the sordid cynics Of
a mere material life.
But America has been lax. Our
country has neglected her poets. Before
1t is too late, this error should be rem
edied. Tarkington's plan is a rallying
cry, but its laurels are mere buds. Re-
wards more commensurate with our i'm
portance as a world power should be set
forth before the Homers and the Pindars
of the land.
Eyes, have long thought of urging the
establishment Of bureau of poetry.
Harrington has merely reminded me of
my Intentions. I've been going to confer
with Representative Fletcher upon the
subject, but / have feared that he might
be too busy, while here, with the neces-
sary triyialities of politics.
In connection with the bureau there
should be national magazine Of poetry
to be issued monthly under the supervi-
sion of the secretary of poetry, and to in
clude all American poems worthy of
preservation. In selecting these poems
only literary merit Should count. Ele-
ments of popularity should not be con-
sidered.
"Publishers, Of course, are actuated by
different motives. They neglect the
be popular. But the national magazine
under governmental and enlightened con-
troll, could embalm for all the future, ir
the archives at Washington, the master
pieces Of those genuine American poets
VINO are now we'll nigh ignored
Authors Club to Discuss 1t.
able outline his plan before the Authors
club at its regular meeting Tonight. j.. Al
the same time the Harrington project will
be presented to the authors by another
earnest member of the club, DR.. Uriah D
Thomas, the poet and novelist. The dis.
cussion is likely to be fruitful.
| DR.. Thomas kindly interrupted MAJ
yesterday afternoon at his study in Eas
Twenty sixth street, to, take cognizancf
of the Indiana bounty. DR.. Thomas wa!
much interested.
Docs 1t apply to authors outside o
! Indiana?" he asked. "Ah-well, l didn'
know. Indeed, I never heard of the mat
ter before. ! live somewhat secluded
But other members of the club are doubt
1eos lully lulollHeu. LHlSnt Say, lnOugn
that I lived in Indiana a long time Yes
I resided at Richmond, Ind, for some six
teen years, and I did great deal Of lit
erary work there.
This plan of Tarkington's, however
may or may not be a good thing for liter
ature. Is there to be a sort of prize con
test? No? So much the better. Tha
would be injudicious. But reward TO
the most worthy achievement that
iOrht oio
"But who is to make the necessary de
cisions? A committee Of the legislature
Certain state officers? or more compe
; tent Judges to be designated by the legis
lature? Whoever they will be, the judg
will have delicate task, very deli
cate task.
, "Now, who could name with precisio
he most admirable achievement of tn
: literary year in Indiana? Shall it be
novel? or an essay? or poem?' an
2 which is the more meritorious, histor
or ballad? Solon, Solomon, Daniel mus
l come to judgment.
2 But perhaps the intention Is to awar
q prize for the best work of the year
D each class. Such decision would demar
an acumen less divine and the priz
8 might encourage some genius awaiting tt
j.: worlds snail like recognition. Tarkinl
I ton might thus associate his own nan
!, with that of some far greater man.
t II shall call the subject up before tt
y club. The regular meeting, you kno'
takes place tomorrow night. I shall s.
cure the clubs opinion. We shall defil
e itely determine the merits of tn
I scheme
DR.. Thomas, whose study was whi
y with manuscript many being apparentl
unfinished poems, said that he is no
y writing but little verse" "Yet I sha
soon issue my collected poems. I h
- not thought of doing so until my frien
insisted And now I am making s.
h lection, small volume merely. But n
poetical work has been so extensive tn
l have had to enlist the services of {
= assistant so that he may help me to CT
out the verses that most merit perm
nent setting.
meantime I am busy on my historic
novel. I have already written about t.
thousand words, but of course it will
much longer. I cannot give 1t to n
publishers this year"