The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-04
FROM OTHER PENS
THE UNr1NsELED c1Rc11s

AI1G OTVl1Nf5ELED CIRCUS.
The spangie has been taken out of
the circus. This is the word which
comes from the east. Color in plenty.
but the glitter, the spangle, the eye
dimming, shining radiance of cos
tunes are banished from the greater
aggregations. Americans are bold to
the point Of blasphemy. Who but one
under the influence Of the fever to
blast vested rights woufd dare to in
suit tradition in this way. Can these
circus proprietors have any concep-
ton OF what a circus is, or what it is
Tor! A tremendous amusement they
give us for the small sum Of so cents,
the half of a dollar, but If they think
they can palm Off a dull finish as an
improved article of glorious galaxy
they are mistaken. me public hath
Its victories no less than show trusts.
Possibly this is the final phase OF
tnat disease caused by poison per-
ago. This. was the entrance Of tum-
blers and acrobats who wore street
and evening clothes. They came to
misplace nob1er group of artists,
men and women like Grecian statues,
graceful and proud Of their craft.
ana tnen came the fIyang lady, who
olo trapeze turns, wearing skirts and
sailor hat. And one season there
was ringmaster who had the irnpu>
oence to appear with a short Jacket
ana leggings. Now we have this gray
smell OF a one-time marvel of pris-
mahc, picturesque paseantry. One
can but hope for a revuIsion, a pub
lilo protest that will hurt the "bie
boss" where he will feel 1t most. Then
snail we forget again the hardness of
the seats and cease to speculate on
why the west side Of a tent can get
so hot. We shall see once more the
tinsled tragic queens Of equestration,
the cute, clever clowns and the spec
tacular dash of the diving daredevils
from Dahomey, specially imported
at enormous expense.-Cleveland
Leader.
LAWYERS AND CHARACTERS.
The criminal recklessness with which
lawyers often assail character through
the medium of conventional petitions
or amdavits Is still, as 1t has been for
many years, an almost incomprehensi-
pie 1ault OF a profession that should
safeguard reputation, not wantonly
destroy it. For example, the attorney
who. In divorce petition, used the
name of Miss Julia MarIowe now ad-
mits that he has done the actress a
gross Injustice. Even the most care
fui legal counselors may make serious
mistakes, but the gravest things said
against the legal profession could not
be said II due regard were shown for
the truth-and nothing but the truth
In preliminary proceedings. In this in
stance the, attorney says: After a
closer investigation and a more care
full sitting Of the evidence, I am con-
WINGED that the source of Mrs. Won
Herrman's Information is wholly un-
reliable" Yet this source Of informa-
ton was accepted by the attorney as
sufficiently reliable to make a charge
in formal court petition that
brought not only the most acute mental
distress, but also serious illness to the
atress. The lawyer also declares that
his client is entitled to a divorce ION
grounds of which he was in ignorance
when he took the CASE
What do high minded lawyers think
Of a member Of their profession who
would make such charges as these
without the closest possible investiga-
ton and the most careful sitting of
the evidence, or without knowing all
the grounds on which the proceeding
could be based? It is no answer to
say that lawyers guilty of such reck-
lessness or worse do not represent the
profession. The fact is that II the
profession as q whole did not stand for
such procedure-if 1t would immedi-
ately disbar members guilty Of maxi
ing loose charges against private char
acter-these assailants of reputation
could do little harm.-Kansas City
Star