The Washington herald., 1910-12-30
GOVERNOR'S POETRY
BORES CANAL ZONE
''Has COrns on Every Foot,
Says Novel Protest.
WRITES IN GOLDEN MOONLIGHT
Complaint Asks that Something BE
Done 10 Make Maurice II. Thatcher
stop Reading His Verse To Sub
ordtnRtes who Like Him as an Of
aeIal, but Cannot stand Poems.

Members Of the House Appropriations
Committee. who are charged with the
duty OF recommending appropriations for
the construction OF the Panama Canal
yesterday received copies Ct a circular
letter from the Isthmus OF Panama. peti-
6oning that something be done to make
Maurice n Thatcher, the governor Of the
Canal Zone, stop writing poetry. A note
accompanying the circular states that
eopies Of It have also been sent to Presi-
3eut Tart and other high officials Of the
government in Washington
1T is not that We who are helping TO
Dig the csnai have any objection TO real
poetry sGid the latter. 'Q0ite on the
contrary. But Gov. Thatcher's poetry
has Germs On every foot. despite which he
feels it his duty 10 board incoming
steamships and read a rkymed address 10
the most distinguished visitor on board
he cid this il the case Of The late Presi-
dcne Nontt Of chile. and the poem was
50 warn IN its eulogy Of the Chileans as
The most enlightened people on earth that
IL is a wonder diplomatic relations be-
tween the United States and all other
South American republics were not alb
ruptly suspended, pending explanations.
Something should be done al once by
those in authority in Washington.
just WOOes the Muse.
1t seems to be the accepted view on the
isthmus, judging from this letter that
when the scared sides Of Culebra cut are
all adrip with golden moonlight and the
lazy, spicy tropical breeze rustes among
the clustered palms, Gov. Thatcher.
armed with a battery Of fountain pens.
seeks the veranda Of his government
mansion on the slope Of Ancon Hill. over
looking the broad reaches of the Pacific,
and woos the muse. The next day he
summons his subordinates before him and
reads them the results.
Gov. ThaJcher's latest outburst, accord
ing 10 the circular. is called Scene at
Ancon, and ripples along thusly;
Drift. clouds. drift far Ger the western seai
Rift clouds. rft in loveliness for me;
BLOW, WINDS hl0H.
Flow. tides, hOW.
Gid all with glory, sm, We ask Of thee!
''smile hills. smile Ike the peaks os By-and-By;
Pie hills pile till thou pierce the tTOpic SKY;
Rise. islets rise.
this is Paradisei
A paradise Of beauty than never die
Parody on His Poem.
This wouldn't be so bad" the letter
continues. were it not that a gifted
hard, VINO operates q steam shovel in
the daytime. has written a parody on
Inc governors poem. which he calls
Heard at Ancon.' This is it,
Grow. cocks, crow from sunset untl dawn;
Bark, dogs bark in torture unto ne.
Moo, coas, moo
Cruak. fIuFs. cruak.
Make night hell, this TO yel
'-Toss, martyrs toss like the sinner by-ausi- BY;
tlle, pillows, pie til ye sthe every cy.
Rise. sufferer rsa
And fn1m out this paradise
Auri the Drickbat or the poem that never der
But the most weighty count in the
poetic indictment against Gov Thatcher
seems to be with reference to the Chilean
poem.
The governor. says the letter, boarded
the vessel carrying the Chilean President.
and before the formal introductions had
been made recited his especially prepared
poem.
Recited This One, Too.
This is what Gov. Thatcher, who gets
$1,000 q year. a house to live in. and
pickings. hurled at the Chilean Presi-
j.
Who are loyal strong, and braYey
Tie Chiielns. ar.
Who are masters Of the WaFsl
The Chileans sir.
Who laugh at danger and the sraFBY
Who gladly die, their Land 70 sagey
Who rule where mighty waters laFe3
The Cdileans. sir.
Then, here's to Chile. h1Ee and uuei
Aiay she the eagles strength renew
Nay She b baIhed ia heavens devil
May she 1le paths OF night pursue
Aud gov as only nations do
That seak the light and md IL tooi
Cod guide and guard her eser."
An humble but inspired worker on the
canal, says the circular, who runs
cement mixer eight hours day, read
Chile and was moved to write a re-
ply. This is the first verse:
who kpovs how IN yerse TO rzEel
Tha governor. sir
VINO Is the subject OF this staVeY
The governor, sir.
who's laughed at by gay and gravel
Who IS dotty. We 'belsyer
Who should seek some distant cavel
Tho governor, sir
Asks for Relief.
The circular closes with the appeal that
IAN in authority read these effusions,
understand our position. appreciate our
difficulties. and give US relief We do
not ask for the governors removal. He
is a well-meaning man, though misguid-
ed. But we do demand that he stick to
prose. leave heavens dew and iron
blood and things like that to others, keen
out Of the moonlight and not inhict
verses on his helpless subOrdinateS.
Life down here is bad enough at best.
With Gov. Thateher's poetry it Is unsup-
portable"
Ocean Steamships.
New York, Dec 9.-Arrfyed OCT: Teutonie. a.
Southampton
Sailed frum reign ports; ST. Paul frun CuneTr
tn6n; Minneapolis nom Londnn.
t-~--a-Ss---s--s-~s.-
/ Making OIL