davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-09-12
IT'S TRUST ME,
II NOT KACT."

4ASAs
~ vas an un ttle The
small force of sold ayrisonod
the fort r~etreated in oe o,,o,
whelming numbers. woe
captured and while prepa ere
being made to turn the gun
on the ~retreating forces, thet
the well-f9d chief of the comm
department who was dining 3
choicest mOrsels in the store
while the battle ragged the fierce
Waving his hat he shouted "HurraH
for me boys, for I have won a great
victory to-day"
It was another unequal contest. The
small forces that defended the anti
stronghold gave way before
Overwhelming numbers. The primary
advocates had no difficulty in captur-
ing the committee and the opposing
forces reiterated before the ~grape-shbt
and canister Of public sentiment
About this time there appeared TIE
chief talking delegate Of the poIitic
department. who had, fl
years, been dining on the choicest moi
sells in the political storehouse. Thu
great warrior, N. c. Blanchard, VIVID
meditating and incidentally dining
while the battle was being won, waved
alOt the little hat, that in some mar
velous way had managed to cover that
great head Of his, and shouted, HpF-
tab for me boys, for'
But what's the use to say more.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-09-12


IS brrs SIS
sis og-goas
81 t5as have
,lir bro8ebt tse convention rvsaa
into disran,te
rhs strength 81 aas PRIMARY ssnE-
nans was based u6on tbe unwilHa
ne of Gle voter Is have their ISL
aess bartsred away IS delepatas
tias Is convention Vet. unless I'd.
signs faii. we are soonto Be treasea q
sbe 3 bnniBat5g and diag,,steg
spectacle of candidates tbemsei5es
radine 81 tbeir aiepas and mbBs
ters and entsri8r into. aekle.Me
and-pn-ackle-you agreements be
only urpos Of which can IL h a..
liver votes 10 certain ipdividuss n,n-
bort ii no other wav obtaibaBl4 ana
the Certain effect Of which 8 ~
ha to 81 4 peryersion IF tb6 hubble
viii. unless the indebendabt semocrs-
tic electorate Of Louisiana taksa the
Bit in its teeth and rspndiates ali
such unBolv ba4gains nv nassing i,dg.
o1ent upon easb and every candidate
otlv according 70 b;s ow, msrit.
totally divorced from the oonfnaing IN
dueboe Of those with whom he NAV he
associated
we firmly believe chat there will
soon 81 laid before the VOTERS Of this
state an entire and perfeot slate that
has been some two wears ii the build
ine-a slate that win present few
features Of merit ezcept the doubtful
one Of geographical balance gate.
carrying an aggregation Of individuals,
not a single man 81 whom could hoDe
to win before the people by himself
but which ID nevertheless expected to
triumph because the combined POOL Is
believed to be able to deliver. n to
the other, sufficient votes to wip-but
because he claims to be able to deliver
a block Of votes where they will do
the most good for the slate. Il Iooks
as though Blanchard viii head this
log-rolling chunk-swopping crowd: and
if we expect to defeat this clever poli-
tician, we must realize at once that we
not only have his influence to over.
come but the pull of some half dozen
other ambitious patriots, who have
tied their fortunes to the tail Of his
bita oDd ,,ndortovo, L.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-09-12
-nUR CANDIDATE.

CUR CANDIDATE.
With the object Of defeating the
blanchard aggregation and making Of
The PRIMARY in fact what i in theory;
ihe friends Of W. II Price are pres
Bg him for the gubernatoria nomina-
on. III opposing Blanchard with
Pica, We hope chat every voter win
decide between Che two with a strict
regasd q other than their own per-
sonal qualifications and merits. Let
4hia issue Be pot olouded By the fact
that this O that other man win be
benefited or injured by the success Of
the moss deserving. blanchard and
his whole career IS Objectionable to
she people ofthis parish-and he must
Rqt r. T-coated BY the support Of
hird district people who hope 70 profit
eesbE
~. q, Price is 9 man thoroughly
Identified with every industry, hope
nd aspiration Of our people-the pros
and happineas Of his home sec
b mems his own growth and success
sna the development and expansion
e every thing in which he is inter
ested-consequently he is inevitably
bound UP with the future Of South
Louisiana, wherefore South Louisiana
can make no mistake in committing
her future and fortunes to his care in
% Ear as She Governor ezerts an nau-
ence thereon,
By nature and breeding a gentleman,
md endowed BY agenerous progidencs,
With more than an average mental
Equipment. and Of a kindly open
hearted nature. W. H. Price has lived
5 successful life-aI fet that has brought
own r9wards nthe esteem and good
Wll 81 hia neighbors-a life that leaves
9ha world better for having been. AS
sueh he Is presented to the electorate
aLouisapa to-day as the peer Of any
mtnin che race. True his lines have.
nos 4elen among politieians-so much
Che better many VIII say-but the
work Chat has come his way he's been
ven done. His has been the labor of
retrieving the old and f%ashioning the
new South; his has been work similar
p chat falling upon the shoulders Of
every sober substantial cftizenof the
State, The contribution Of brain and
genius that has converted this country
from g desolate waste in to q veritable
garden gpob Of happiness and plenty.
While politicians talked and schemed,
be- together with thousands Of others,
hpt their chergies to the material re-
asmpsioR and development Of their
este.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-09-12
For Sale.

On terms to suit the purchaser Two
handsome residences in the town Of
Houma, a short distance from Court
House. Houses large and comfortable;
outbuildings etc, and good sized yards.
TO, II. NJ BOURG,
Attorney at Law,
Ohce-0yer FraisR Drug Store.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-09-12
Il IN "a CLAIM--

FALSE CLAIM
accompanying g great beating Of.
tom and blaring Of tgumpets, our.
ears are sailed BY the noisy shouts.
Of Che Blanchard strikers that the great
and only intellectual son Of Louisiana.
already elected Only incline your
ear to che olarionn note ofJared Sanders,
the duloet tones Of Bob synder and
the seductive whisper of Harry Smith,
and there only remains the admnistra-
zion IF the oath and the assumption Of
che purple followed BY the sorrowful
funeral Of Price Jastremski and other
Who dare plant themselves in the path
Of this gentleman's JuggeTnautic am
.bition.
Mercy On Us, why all this bluster
and windy swirl5 They have lost
their acheming heads and temporarily
enthroned their own credulity, which
in turn essays the grand stand procla-
nation that the primary victory is a
blanchard victory. Blanchard and
primary are to them Synonymous
terms.
Why bless yours sweet souls don't you
know that the woods are full Of pri-
mary people who would stay at home
before they would vote for your Caddo
pet ?
Don't you know that Price had
Of friends who voted for pri-
Don't you know that your mar was
the very last candidate to commit him
self upon the primary question ?
Don't you know that gallant old
Gen. Jastremski was the one who
forced the issue to the front I
Don't you know that in SO far as this
campaign is concerned -Jastremski and
not Blanchard is entitled to whatever
prestige accrues therefrom?
Don't you know that your willy
friend didn't have time to express an
opinion upon the CONTROVERSY until
he could catch the direction of the
wind2
And don't you know that at the
time he had ample time within
which to prepare and deliver an elab-
orate address to his admirers at Grow
Indeed We would like to know when
this wondrous general was invested
the command Of the primary
Where was he when McLaw-
-ason organized his primary league ?
was he when Bob Snyder fled
lis now famous statistical arrangement
If the Gubernatorial patronage of this
State ? Silently pursuing the even tenor
If his way upon the Supreme bench oil
his State and nightly pulling the wires
he expects to land him a winner
a April next. Blanchard has BEEN
tanning for this race for two years.
Lis forces were organized and his run
ing mates in most instances selected
uring the session Of the last legisla-
IRE. If such close and minute at
Jon could be given to organization
friends it strikes us as a triAe
that no thought could be given
position Of method of nomina-
question was then the sub
ganeral~ discussion and ignorance
d is existence can not be pleaded
Why thnwas it that June ofthis year
till founayhis statesman without an
opinion theson and without time to
'Frlve at an express one before the !
adjournment Of his COURT The con-
4uslon ls plalLthat he hadno opinion,
nd was slmpl waiting to fall on the
Winning side. AN the world hates ]
trimmer. WheI the people shall finally :
xpresS themseles upon the merits of
Ion Newton G it will be found
nat there is a vSt distinction in
le public mind between his claims
nd the primary idea. we confidently
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-19
The Actors Responsibility.

Next to the creation OF n dramatic lit
erature free from the faint Of servitude
to realism. ! think the largest RESPONSE
bility for the reform OF the theater rests
with the actor. Personal experience
leads me 20 believe that, in many i'm
pOrtant respects, the actor is as great a
factor as the play writer's: for he has
his freedom to reject play that is
not thoroughly artistic. But the fact that
actors study what the public want
shows that they, too. have made the
fatal compromise which tends TO lower
the influence OF the stage as a moral in
stitutiOn. And for the most part he finds
that realism suits the spirit of r.le age,
ami realism, therefore, he will give his
audiences
The consequence is, acting tends to
become affected. strained. and unnatural
In word. impersonal. Compare with
this the acting Of Booth or Barrett.
which was thoroughly imbued with their
own personality: IL was sincere earnest.
even noble. We meet here. on the
ground Of the actor, the same problem
that we met on the ground OF the play
writer-the problem OF realism and
idealism.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-19
An Expensive Item.

me most expensive repair item in the
modern stage costume is what the dress
makers call the chiffon froufrou. which
Is the full plating that gives the 6ar,pg
effect to a skirt. These are renewed
constantly. and the wardrobe mistress IA
liable to draw anywhere from s25 to s50
for her days shopping.
1t is her duty also to see that the
clothes go In time TO the cleaner. and
she sometimes sends out from twenty 10
forty dresses 81 once. Theatrical clean
ers have process suited to their needs.
and gowns taken from the theater after
the performance or very early the next
morning are delivered In time for the
next performance The laundry work IS
gathered up twice week. including the
linen worn by the chorus men. and any
costumes that viii endure the stress Of
the tub.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-19
Genuine Dramatic Literature.

The first condition Of Improvement
is. Of course. the production of a gen
uine dramatic literature. built upon the
best models. rejecting the ideal OF
beauty, and yet representing life: a
literature that shall not be ashamed OF
comparison with the classics. and at tho
same time be true to its own psyche
logical and sociological climate; a liter
ature that is sufficient as art and at the
same time concrete enough for practical
purposes; a literature that by its very
spirit and diction tends 20 dignity the
actor in his own sight and raise the
taste Of the public that witnesses its
Interpretation.
That such a literature is lacking Is
10 be accounted for, primarily. by the
fact that the motive 10 its creation Is
lacking. Tho practical playwriter IN
deed, doubts II such a literature can be
produced in our time. He argues that
a play should not aim at literary per-
lection, nor seek 20 convey moral i'm
pressions. II should simply portray life
as il is and leave the judgment of the
observer to condemn or approve it's
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-19
Keep Close to Lifel

Another step which would greatly and
the recovery Of the moral functions of
the stage is the cultivation OF closer re-
lations with other institutions which
have direct bearing on the education Of
public taste.
The weakness Of the stage is due
largely to its isolation; it often lacks
the interest which comes from close con-
tact with the lie Of the people; modest
and sensible people often think OF it rs
a sort Of dollhouse where nothing but
exotics are raised. How true this judy
ment is is seen from the biographies OF
actors. which, for the most part, are
melancholy reading.
Let the stage and the dramatic pro-
fession keep close TO the life OF men.
Let them rot despise any institution
which shapes ir any way, however small.
the tastes Of the public. The stage can
learn something for its cwn good from
the church. the political meeting. the
struggle Of the democracy for supremacy.
and from the world movements whieh
stir the heart OF humanity In these
DAYS.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-19

tress. II the rent is small or there ia
need of only a hook. and eye. or a bow.
the dresser makes the repair during The
performance. If more work Is needed
the gown Is taken TO the sewing room on
the gallery floor. where It is repaired
the next day. This room is lined with
hooks and sheets OF unbleached muslin
so that the dresses may be hung N or
Derby array, and be covered from the
dust
Here. too, are machines, dress forms
and long. narrow work tables. One man
does nothing bat spangling. and be is
narrow-necked. pale-faced foreigner.
who sits silent among the bevy OF sew
ing women who put on fresh accordion
plating. new lace. or passementerie.
Whenever a girl leaves the company he-
successor must be fitted. and often tho
costumes are made over. 50 that tho
wardrobe mistress must be able to di-
rect htters as well as repairers. Her
weekly salary in the workroom varies
from $50 TO 800. the girls being paid
Dy the day and employed only when
needed. All supplies. such as thread
tape. hooks, and eyes. are bought IN
quantities.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-19
America Is Still Crude.

We are. esthetically, a very crude
nation Our taste is still decidedly imi-
tative and sensual, fond of show-spec-
tacular. 1t Is also true that we are dar-
ingly experimental, and use every means
to familiarize ourselves with the ma
terials and possibilities of art We GER
tainly have a great future, especially in
dramatic and musical art.
But at present the initiative and the
sensual have the boards. The bulk of
plays recently produced on American soil
are light, realistic. mirthful. represent
ing no special philosophy of life; they
are written to charm and amuse, not to
impress US morally.
Even the dramatization Of successful
novels. which has recently usurped the
place OF independent creation in dramat-
ic literature, has only operated to con-
finn this tendency. The practice is
leading to the confusion Of literary
forms. For the novelist today must con-
slider the chances he has of having his
work reset for stage purposes. and this
tends TO turn the novelist into a play
writer. On the other hand, the play
writer tends to become the mere adapter
of other meas creations, and so the free
com Of creation is curtailed. In either
case the stage suffers in It's morale.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-19
The Voice of the People.

But there is another and final condi-
ton Of reform-the education of public
taste. The responsibility for the degene-
rate tendencies OF the drama does not
rest wholly on the play writer and &C
tor. The people the great public-whose
infallibility is not so unquestionable as
certain French critics would have US be-
lieve-quite as often fail to appreciate
the better kind of play through lack Of
dramatic education and overwork The
latter cause.-the fact that people are
TIC tired in these days for serious
drama-naturally creates the demand
for amusement rather an instruction;
though think this demand Is greatly
exaggerated.
We still remain, however, pathetically
blind to the glories OF Shakespeare. and
conventional and unintelligent in re-
gard 10 grand opera. Whether this
state OF things continues depends some
what upon the question whether the
strenuous commercialism OF modern life
continues. and whether we shall settle
down to new and more worthy Ideals Of
social evolution after the present acute
phase Of progress shall have been pass
ed. Whilst IT lasts the public is un
fitted, by its habits of life. to enter into
the higher and nobler elements OF the
drama; amusement is the chief need of
our times and natures.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-19
A Sign by the Way.

The effect Of these things on the taste
Of the theater-going public is not alto
gether beneficial A play like THE Lit
tie Minister" for example, considered
in itself, can have only good influences
on an audience; but, after all, is IL art?
Is the dramatized novel creative stage
work or only adaptation
For moral effect a novel may be
staged; but for the highest dramatic
effect the dramatized novel is never any
thing more than a temporary and partial
success. such plays fail of permanence
-and will continue to fail-because the
artist creates at second hand. A more
serious fault lies in the fact that when
the novel becomes a play Il steps out
OF its own legitimate field of the i'm
agination and ceases to be art, in order
TO become a sensuous reality.
Only a nation that reads practically
nothing but novels will accept it's plays
thus at second hand. This is a sign OF
our crudity in matters of art II is
more than doubtful II the Russians or
Germans would value a play like Hall
Gaines The Christian" or even "Quo
Yadis." as staged among us.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-19

art studies into our schools. colleges
and universities. The drama has not
yet come in for its share Of attention
but 1t surely Will, as soon as our teach
ers are as wise as Froebel and Pesta-
lozZi. Surely the time is not far distant
when mans education will include so
much knowledge of art as will enable
him to Judge what is good drama, or
to come to IL able to feel highly. and
judge its nobler qualities. An intelli-
gent recognition Of the equality of
esthetic with ethic and logic as a "cul-
ture interest" is a step which is as
inevitable as the progress of human
thought. and 1 cannot see why this ster
should not be taken soon. What is
needed is money to endow chairs" in
our universities devoted to the study
and teaching OF matters relating to tho
culture of the feelings. Here is, in
deed, new and attractive field for our
millionaires. Pious founders in the
past gave their money TO endow chairs
OF logic, metaphysics. and theology
There are, perhaps, enough of these, at
least for the present. But art is hardly
even recognized in the modern univer-
sity, and we wonder at the low state OF
the public tastei
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-19

suming, through sympathy, a perfect
moral identity with the part they play,
and think, after this relation has been
established. of how to transmit their
ideals to the audience; technique is sec
ond only to Interpretation.
The true actor thinks first of his own
ideals of life and character; ii is his
task Ito create the part, "a work in
which he may often go beyond anything
dreamed OF by the play-writer. Now. this
is great undertaking. and the way It is
done is the sure index to the conscien-
tious work of the actor. for he has not
only to make others realize the interior
character OF his impersonation. but ne
has also to conceive and carry the organ
ism Of the play and the preconceived
dramatic goal of the composition in his
mind as we'll. He has 10 do this with
out devitaliZing either side-a task
which requires not only a well-trained
esthetic intelligence. but moral insight
OF the highest kind as we'll.
Now, on the decomposition of realism
the actor need not trouble himself about
these complex questions. All he has to
dc is to hold UP life as it is. to sink his
own feelings; his part is a mask" not
literally a face" l have already point
ed out the error of this philosophy-its
superficiality; and to It We may trace
the absence Of great actors on the stage
today, True actors have invariably been
idealists; that is. they have been artists
as well as actors. Such do always impart
al element OF idealism. a dignity and
moral value to any part they interpret.
because they bring to it, not only good
training. sound technique. but also sin
cere purpose, large interpretative imagi-
nation. and a feeling for fitness Of things
OF the stage.
The educative influence of the stage is
so great that the loss of the ideal side
OF the actors art is missed more quick
~ there than anywhere. Actors must.
therefore. lay this lesson to heart. that
IL they would elevate the taste OF the
people. If they would change the mode
OF judging life. it must be by the in
fuence Of a nobly played part. The
actors mask should actually be a
face" in which the observer, his senses
kindled and captured, sees the play of
conflicting standards. and. by what he
sess. is pleased and instructed-led. in
a word. TO form a healthy and sound
judgment OF art and life.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-19
d. GOSSIP OF THE DRAMA FROM MANY POINTS OF VIEW :D

morals. The controversy over "sapho"
showed this.
There are. as the playwriter knows
limits TO this view which have been de-
fined in our law books and beyond which
he dare not step without punishment.
And I take exception with him on stin
deeper ground.
The error Of realism. from which our
drama is suffering, consists in emitting
from its view the higher nature of man.
Now it is safe TO say, / think. that no
artist can create a work Of enduring
merit by limiting himself to this
higher" nature. or by studying only
moral effect. The contention OF realism
is true so far as it goes; the material
OF art is life, life as we know It in it's
length. breadth, depth. and height; but
life. the realist often fails to see. can
be interpreted only from this, the vacu
ity of realism becomes so obvious that
the pOnderous claim about life as it
really it, becomes nothing but an IL
fusion. The prick of sensation in art
as Prof. James says. is the intrusion
of the personal. and the essence of per-
sonality is moral struggle If, therefore.
the playwTiter would create a dramatic
literature that truly interprets life, he
so much affected in his practice and
depict life as a conflict of character,
or moral idealism.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-19
The Personal Debt to Art.

Finally, we should form the habit Of
attending only the best dramatic per-
formances and exert our influence
against any and all forms of the degra-
dation of the stage. If people of intelli-
gence and culture were more positive in
approving good plays, bad ones will be
more easily crowded out. The moral ele-
walton of the stage depends upon the
encouragement offered to the best I'm dra-
best able 10 Judge are not outspoken IN
approval where there is merit. how shall
the public know what lead to follow?
These are but the merest hints in this
great problem, but think that If they
were followed the stage would grad
of 1t, the outward and visible token Of
which would be, first, an independent
dramatic literature bearing the marks
not only Of patient labor. but of inspi-
ration; and, second. a new type of acting
completely worthy of the best traditions
OF the profession. At present, II is 10
be feared, other influences prevail
though the outcome can hardly be IN
doubt. for art can never die. 1t springs,
phoenix-like. out of the dead forms ri
unproductive periods, and, with fewer
inventions OF beauty, resumes it's pris-
tine influence over men. So surely will
IT be with the modern stage when it's
moral mission is fully appreciated by
the play writer, actor, and public.-The
Critic.