The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-14
Is 1t the Editors Fault

Washington Post.
In the January number of the Booklov-
ers' Magazine Julian Ralph severely ar
raigns the magazine editors of the country
for the prevailing femininity in the current
literature of America. He laments the alb
sence of the virile note and lays the blame
at the door of the sanctum. Men, he thinks,
have not been given fair chance, and re-
lection is apt to be the portion of an offer
ing possessing real strength. On this point
he says:
''Our literature is an Adamless Eden full
of sweet girls and never single robust
man, or adult woman, either Our maya
zine editors are to blame, If blame them we
can, for a course impelled by the necessl-
ties of their situation as employees or part
ners in cautious capitalistic ventures begun
in days when we were simpler people
dominated by more puritanical and more
hypocritical conventions These editors
Numbered our literature out of all its
strength and sent forth books as neuter-
gendered as our dolls. They were the war
dens of the gates of Bookdom, and applied
the rod to all who came with showing of
muscle, blood crude manhood, passion. or
sin among their wares.
Mr.. Ralph is not far from right In de-
scribing the condition of American Htera-
ture. 1t is true that the highest praise to
be accorded the average story in the mag
aZineS is to say that 1t Is clever. But is
the 1ault entlrely the eOltOr 5! vi lHis
point there is ground for respectful diner
ence of opinion.
Mr. Ralph speaks of the fate of manu-
scripts with showing of crude MANHOOD,
passion, or SIM" What other fate did they
deserve? The magazine goes into the home.
1t is read by the young. The father can
tell by glancirg at a new book whether II
Is fit for his children to read. He buys the
magazine on it's previous reputation, with
no more than a curSory view OF the table
of contents. He wants nothing about pas
sion and sin," or if he does he will find 1t
in a book which he can read himself. He
would feel that the magazine editor had
treated him unfairly If he had printed a
story based On such themes, and no one
realizes this better than the much-abused
editor of the magazine.
The stories written by women are usually
wholesome. They are not, as rule strong
and frequently they are not even clever.
In harmless and entertaining way they
deal with phases of life which will shock
no one. Few of their short stories will be
remembered until the appearance of the
next number of the magazine. Again, the
stories by women authors are carefully
written. They seem to be capable or TAX
ing more pains than their masculine COM
peers. and the magazine editor, essentially
a critic, pays more attention to tecbnical-
tiles of style than to uniformed strength
If men would seek to regain the position
which women have won they must pay
more heed to the wants of the magazine
When it comes to choice between enem,
macy and decency decency will win, and
we are glad of 1t. Crude power also is
very well in it's way, but careful work Is
Just as much in demand.
If Mr.. Ralph will discover some young
masculine author of power who will base
his work on clean, wholesome themes. apt
who will turn out polished product, we
believe that no magazine editor would dare
apply the rod to him.