Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1911-07-11
THE Big CHAUTAUQUA
COMES TO A CLOSE

every thought in it was in the line
Of high ideals. The audience was
sorry when time was called on his
jolly stories, and everybody will be
glad to have him come again.
At the evening hour, The Stroll
lers preluded for Mrs. English, and
at the close of her lecture they gave
short concert in sailor costume.
Mrs English's lecture was the
STORY of the Man Behind the Bars, -
az exposition of prison conditions
and plea for prison reform.
Through Chautauqua week Mrs.
English has carried on program
for ladies only. Various forms Of
good report have oozed out from her
work with the ladies. Her lectures
to women have been popular, and
the mixed audience was glad to have
an opportunity to hear her on Satur-
day evening. She spoke to an audi
ence that filled the big tent. She
told of her work among the inmates
CT the Nebraska State Penitentary.
Mrs. English is a pleasant speaker,
and her plea for the prevention Of
crime by bringing about better con-
ditions in common home life struck
popular chord with her audience.
Chautauqua presented strong
program for the two sessions of Sun
day. Regular services were held in
the churches Of the city. It is to be
noted that the Chautauqua service
interferes with attendance at the
churches on Chautauqua Sundays.
The question arises as to whether it
might not be better in future years
If the churches were to give up their
services entirely during the Chau-
tauqua program. In that case, a
preacher of national or of interna-
tional repute might be secured for
the morning hour at Chautauqua,
and he could preach to the united
religious forces of Webster City. Two
such sermons would help to supply a
directly religious tone which all
Chautauquas need and most of them
have had for years. Such a course
might do good, both to the local
Chautauqua and to all the churches
Of the city. A more distinctly re-
ligious atmosphere next year would
add to the popularity of the Chau
tauqua program.
Sunday afternoon the Chautauqua
tent was literally packed to hear
Frank Dixon. Mr.. Dixon was at his
best, and both he and his audience
had good time. His subject was
"The Square Deal" and he lectured
in such a manner as to help to make
his vision possible Of fulfilment. DR..
Dixon is unique man from a
unique family. In him brilliancy
sarcasm and logic. He wove spell
over his audience which held them
breathless, and the spell was only
broken when the audience would ap-
plaud. Then the spell was on again,
and DR.. Dixon's nimble wit played
again with the hot fire of sarcasm
and the cool conclusion of logic. The
lecturers delivery is like mill race,
and he sweeps his audience before
him with the power of mordant
speech. If you happen to have TO
debate with Dixon, the COLLINS of
his sarcasm will surely get you If
you don't watch out!
No mere reportorial sketch can do
justice to DR.. Dixon's lecture on The
Square Deal. He began with an apt,
witty, true and very original char
Of political conditions
and parties at Washington. which
led him to conclude that at present
he would not be candidate for
president! Roosevelt had tried
nightly to bring about the square
1eal, but his dream had failed 20
come true. In spite of ourselves, in
he United States we are developing |
The same types of privileged classes
IS curse European civil and political
life. The square deal will not have
arrived until naturally and newt
ably the criminal millionaire walks
L lock-step with the criminal pau
Der. Corporations have the same
light to exist as has any individual
that, and no more!
rhe deadly weapons of corporations
stock, discrimination, and
business in politics-must be wrest-
ID from the hands Of corporate
creed before the day of the square
lcal can arrive.
DR.. Dixon's analysis of the polit.-
al. social and business worlds was
apient and keen. Frequently he
rev applause from the big audi
nee, as, for instance. when he con-