The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-29
RAG-TTME AND REASON.

A correspondent wishes to know if it would
not be justihable homicide to STAY the person
who huns, whistles plays sings that glori-
Gus rhapsody OF the rag-time worshipper which
assures the listener that every one is engaged
ia the self-same practice.
The correspondent states his case in a man
ner calculated to arouse sympathy. He says
that he is awakened in the morning by hurdy-
gurdy playing it. daughter Of The house
tbumps it on the piano between meals,
medical ttdeft across the JIugies II
mandolin, The office boy whistles 1t. The
bookkeeper huns a snatch of it between entries.
The stenographer clicks it out her type
writer The little alarm clock in his
ticks 10 the rag-tme rhythm OF the maddening
refrain He wakes in the middle OF the night
TO hear the engine of automobile, which has
stopped beneath his window and the tune that
it sings is that everlasting never ceasing, world
without end melody.
The correspondent mas raised weighty ques-
ton. There is little doubt that il he is driven
10 desperation and homicide and tells his story
TO an ordinary jury in plain, straigh forward
manner he would create very favorable i'm
preston and at least be recommended 10 the
mercy OF the court He might be acquitted on
/ the ground OF self-defense. and it Is possible
that a plea OF justnabe homicide might save
him.
! Still after all It would appear best not to
proceed to extreme measures, matter how
great the provocatlon. Under no circumstances
N - II titt4ng ana proper FOR 1aw-abIdTng citizen
who does not play. whistle, sing or hum riot
provoking tunes 10 take the law into his own
hands Nor is it advisable TO attempt irony
ard proner the offending person copper coin,
unless the offender be an itinerant street plan
list In the latter case this may be safely done,
but otherwise II may lead to disastrous results.
Nor 1t is always wise TO sneer openly at the
mental standard. capacity attachments, oF-'s-
'tellectual greatness of person with propen-
sity to indulge in popular rag-time. pair Of
puckered lips may disguise a promising white
hope,
Therefore 1t would seem to be best for the
unfortunate correspondent who asks indirectly
for advice to consult, first OF all, an alenist,
n that is not satisfactory he might smile, not
patronizingty and ptttngly. but brightly and be-
nignly on those who hum. whistle. sing or
play the irri tating. lingering refrain lie might
add TO their enjoyment by reciting Mary $
Little Lamb" for them, or that other little
rhyme of childhood's happy days. Baby blye,
here's fy let us swat him you and l." Any
one who reyels in time is really OF sufficient
mental callber TO appreciate the crudest sim
pest form Of verse and prose-Th -s+ateasst+i
may be doubted, but it be set down for a
fact without fear of storm OF protest
i II can be said on the authority of an eminent
composer George Cohan. that lovers Of rag
time are not, generally speaking, undesirable
citizens They are naturally OF a pleasant
3 hrht-hearted disposition who should only be
ended fer their merry little thoughtiess habit
o. doing that which docs not require great
deal OF solitary reflection