The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-12
Ralph Faxon Writes on the
Subject.
ROASTS- THE SPEAKERS
Contends That Original Ideas
Have Been MiSCOnStrued.

]
that the Chautaqua today, and the old
original one a. outlined by Bishop Vin-
cent and which had its inception at the
famous lake in New York, are TWO separ-
ate institutions. wholly al variance.
The original Chautauqua assemblies were
intended as educational institutions. They
were sufficiently religious in their char
acter to permit the active cooperation
and interest Of intelligent cultured church
people; had enough OF the idea OF study
and work along educational and ntellec-
tual lines TO attract educators and schol-
ars and students, and enough Of recrea-
ton 10 furnish a delightful outing 10 peo-
pie of all stations and classes who might
be attracted by a season of advertisement
which should include pleasure study, re
ligious thought. As such an institution.
the ChaUtauqua assemblies were from the
first successful TO a high degree. Relig-
ious persons, thcologians, scholars, ora
tors, writers, wealthy persons, poor people
all are interested in the institution and
it flourished amazingly. OF the good done
in the earlier years Of these assem- bIes,
there probably is no measurement The
parent Chautauqua of New York radiated
from it the enthusiasm and the work,
and as result OF the dissemination. as
semblies were formed throughout the
country, and became a regular fact in
each state and section, during the early
portion of each summer.
However. the deterioration was to begin
later. Nowhere today, unless it be at
the parent institution. does it appear that
the assemblies are pursuing the o.d-fash-
Toned means 10 successful issue. and per-
haps nowhere has the deterioration been
more marked than in Kansas, particu-
larly within the past year or two.
These reflections upon Chautauqua as
sembles are gathered from a close obser-
walton Of the character of them in Kan
sas this year. When one goes over the
list and endeavors to find some trace of
the o;d-fashioned institution, he finds
very little TO satisfy him. What seems
TO have been the leading idea through
out assemblies In Kansas this year? To
attract crowds of an indiscriminate ma
ture, and to gather in money The re
ligious idea is well-nigh lost sight Of;
the educational factor almost entirely
grown, but in a Questionable way.
Take the attractions advertised for
Kansas Chautauquas this year. The lead
ing features seem to have been: Sam
Jones, Madame Tsilka, Richmond Pear
son Hobson and Senator'S TiIman and
Burton. Compare these with the men
and women formerly engaged by assem-
blies in Kansas, and the comparison is
not at all favorable
Sam Jones il and always has been a
cheap, boorish egotist and demagogue.
There is nothing in him to attract a per-
son of fine sensibilsues. possessing some
religious traits and a desire for intellect
ual attainment Jones is a clown. lie
IS disgusting. His language IS uncouth
and united for the ears OF any but Doors
There is no intellectual pabulUm to be Oh
tanned from listening to or aSs5ciaduS
with him. lie gives forth 10 idea with
food or thought for reflection. Lis NOR
ais" if by strength OF imagination they
can be called such. are too cheap and too
offensive. Yet he has been widely sought
by Kansas Chautauquas The past season.
Ottawa and other places had Madame
Tsilka. \ few years ago she was not
known Of and had it not been for an
elderly. notoriety- seeking American worn-
an. she never would have been heard of.
She accompanied one Ellen Stone upon
an expedition which was very question
able. and savored OF the search after no
toriety and money. The whole Bulgarian
episode has long since been shown up in
what is likely its true light by declara-
tons from American statesmen ana Off
Gals of the department OF state at
Washington. There cannot be great
doubt as 10 the supposition that the stone
woman lent herself 10 the Bulgarian
"brigands' Tor the sake of creating sen
timent. awakening righteous "indigna-
ton. and securing funds from either
the government Of this country or the
sympathizing religious people. Madame
TsiIka. a native woman. was fortunate
enough to be with Miss stone on her
expedition. and equally fortunate enough
In having a child born % her during the
time Of captivity" and is now making
money while the san shines. She carries
baby ENeuchia and her husband along
with her and in their impulsiveness the
American people have mad over he-
to q degree which the most fas,i3io1s
would desire. SO naturally. fl the newer
ard later ChautauQua regime, Madame
Tsika became q NJ attraction.
Captain Richmond Pearson Hobson IN
doubtediy performed a great feat OF brav-
cry when Re sank the MeITimac in the
waters OF Cuba and assisted in blocking
The channel 50 Ear as the passage Of
Spanish ships was concerned But ike
many other brave men. he was not con
tent tnodes;ly 70 permit his fame TO live
hut Tanned II 20 a white heat. and then
IL had 10 de down. q course. He took
TO The lecture and ChaGtauQua feds, as
he OF course had a perfect rirht 10 DO.
bat even while IN The service O. TIE gov
eminent. he neglected his oiscial duties
20 run about and tau his experiences and
show I'd his heToism. which h did Mt
have a right 10 co IS a public oficer
He finally was forced 10 resigu. q u
give AZ least some attention 20 duty He
chose 10 resign. Ills disgusting episode
in Kansas CITY and other PAGES VIII
ssr-1irinity cheapened him. and now. with
heroism gone. he. too. has desenerated
into Simply an attraction. and Kan
sas Chautauquas have properly mad
over HIN the past season.
The Negro question Is most acute l.
bids fair 20 overshsdow many Others OF
q political and social nature IN this coun-
iry the next Few years. = Is Z probI-n
which has worried and hsrassed the
south. and nov comes TO the north. which
cannot escape IL. but It does not seen