New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-24
~ ORATORICAL GAMBLE

Thomas Jefferson is going to have the time
of his immortality on April 13. That is his
birthday-may he have many more of them!-
and TO do him honor the Democrats through
out this broad land will strive nightly with
voice and elbow. as they have always done
since the illustrious morn when he tied his horse
to the famous hitching post in Washington and
became the first exemplar and patron saint of
the political Simple Life Long may his party
feast on good viands and drink the simple
bubbling grape in his memory!
But this year is to be a special occasion the like
of which never occurred before ana may never
occur again. The Democratic Club of New-York
and the Iroquois Club OF Chicago are going to
dine and wine the fame of Jefferson on the same
day, and certain occurrences, instead of max
ing these two celebrations concomitants and CO.
adjutants in the greater glory of the political
Simple Life, have made them rivals and com
petitors Who says that competition is dead or
dying Not, certainly, in politics. There every
boy born with the blessed gift of a timber
tongue may rise to the heights open to his
fathers in the happy days Of yore, and himself
may be captain of industry in the oratorical
field and no banquet will be complete without
his output. 1t is in the oratorcal industry that
the present fierce competition exists between
New-York and Chicago. Democrats with the
most famous lungs and tongues are enjoying to
Should New-York win or should Chicago win
and either gather together all the prime orators
of the Democracy at its dinner party, a wind
trust could be created that would imperfl the
whole oratorical industry and threaten the
foundations of the freest of American insti-
tutions. free speech. But such a catastrophe
seems unlikely.
Though the Chicago newspapers boast that
the dinner at the IrOquOis Club will over
fhaf in nc nifT Tho oe
New York's oratorical show, ex-Mayor Van
wyck offers to bet $1,000 that he will cor
ner the best talent in the country. 1t is a
large sum TO wager. and should silence detrac-
tors, though, perhaps, it would have been more
In accordance with Jeffersonian simplicity to
offer the s. 900 in bets of one dollar TO any and
all takers. There is a precedent for a dollar
dinner; that's Jeffersonian Why not dollar
wagers on the oratorcal meet? Wouldn't
that be Jeffersonian, too? We hope the ex-
Mayor will reconsider before ne limits the terms
of his bet Let who are the entries who
are the teams in this great sporting event in
honor of simple Thomas Jefferson. Three ia
nous stars were sought by the managers for
the teams which should bring renown or at
| least defeat with honor, TO the great cities:
Grover Cleveland who throw the sixteen
| pound hammer Of language further than any
other man on the continent; William J. Bryan
a famous two-miler, and Alton B. Parker, who
J has lately won much distinction in an obstacle
race. New-York invited them all. Chicago in
yited them all. Mr.. Cleveland has retired and
declined. Mr.. Bryan signed with Chicago. Mr.
Parker, who goes about murmuring his favor
/ lite poem, East is East, and West is West
and never the twain may meet" first de-
clined both, then, learning that Mr.. Bryan
was TO be with Chicago signed with New York
They are the captains of their respective teams,
and may be counted on TO take the events In
| which they are entered. Chicago has too, the