The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-17
World Art for America.

World Art for America.
Most of the greatest pictures in the
world that can be purchased will find
their way eventually to the United
Rene Avogh Trotti. of Paris. widely
known for his knowledge of antique
works of art
He is an Italian nobleman who. after
years of study of the old masters be-
came head of the firm of Trotti & Co.,
in the French capital And he has come
here to consult with some of the Amer
lean clients.
COLLECTING early pictures of the great
schools of art" said Comte Trotti, has
now firm hold on the American peo-
pie. 1t has become passion with
them and it will prove ineradicable.
The desire to own great art works of
the past is in the blood. / predict that
it only will be a question of time be-
fore America will own most of the inn
portant old paintings now held in pri-
vate ownership abroad. In Europe, of
course, museums and public institu-
tions will retain their treasures, but
the demand for masterpieces will be
so strong in this country that wealthy
Americans will at last have nearly all
Of them in their galleries that can pos
sibly be bought from private owners.
There are already important collec-
lions in the United States, yet the gath
ering of artistic property has only just
in years to come. In Europe the col
lections already have been formed; in
this country the passion for gathering
the important eanvases of early paint
ers has been SO developed that from
now the United States will be acquir-
ing the finest examples that can be OBJ
tanned. In. the United States is the
taste which inspires such acquisition,
supported by practically unlimited
means."-New York Herald.
The Arizona Language Question.
Language questions, which have
been so troublesome in the politics of
various other countries, as witness
Austria, Hungary, South Africa and
Finland, have not been altogether un-
known in the United States. though
they may not have been raised in
quite so trying form as they now are
in the prospective state of Arizona. 1t
is announced that the constitutional
convention there has adopted a pro-
vision to the effect that nobody shall
be a voter who is not able to read the
constitution in English The result
will be, if it is finally adopted. to de-
prive of the franchise a large part of
the people, including many native
born Americans of alien ancestry who
have retained the speech of their fore
fathers and have had either no op-
portunity or no inclination to learn
the English language, at any rate be-
yond mere speaking acquaintance.
It is not improbable that that is
precisely the result which is desired
and intended. Incidentally no doubt,
the provision will debar from the fran
chise those who can read no language.
but its primary purpose seems to be
rather to discriminate against men of
an alien speech, no matter how well
educated hey may be.-New York
Tribune.
"Bellboy'' T1lirty-six Years.
A tourist arrived at a hotel near the
Grand Central station yesterday, and
when the bellboy, in answer to the
clerks call, stepped forward to take
the hand baggage to the room assigned
to the new arrival the latter looked
quizzically at the boy and said, You
look enough like the boy who took UP.