The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-21

tion Eugene Chapin, twice a standard bearer, said his party was in the cam paign to win, and Frank Hanly him self, the prohibition nominee, talked on the same line. But Hanly has had a great deal of political experience, having been elected governor of Indi- ana on the republican ticket, and after the convention enthusiasm waned, he came to his senses and said the most he could expect to accomplish was to increase the popular vote of the prohi- bition party, which had never crossed the 300,000 mark.
 He is almost sure to double his party's vote in Indiana, where he is still strong political factor. Nearly every vote he gets in his own state above the 19,249 cast for Chapin in 1912 will be taken from the republi- cans, which will make it that much easier for Wilson and Marshall to roll up decisive majority.
 The prohibitionists have more ex- tensive platform than usual but the great moral issue" will continue to be paramount, of course.
 n PROSPECTS, for the theatrical sea- 1 son in Birmingham this year are exceedingly bright. The New York sea- son is already in full swing, despite the heat, but August openings are out of the question for this part of the
 country. Bir- Good Prospects for mingham's lead Theatrical Season ing theatre, the
 Jefferson, s already booked list of first class at fractions, including many of the re- cent successes which the south is inn patient to see. the Bijou will also make a strong bid for patronage with dram atic offerings and elaborate musical shows, having been leased by some of the best known and most successful amusement people in the country and placed on their southern circuit. It will be like old times to have George Sidney, Hap Ward and other favorites again appearing at the Bijou.
 The Lyric will of course continue to present vaudeville and will lose none of it's popularity during the winter months. During the summer it has en- joyed a large patronage. Perhaps some disposition will be made of the Majestic, now closed. It is one of the prettiest theatres to be found any where and should be kept open.
 It is encouraging to note that east ern managers have become chary of sending indifferent companies to the south. They tried that policy for years and for while made money out of it, but playgoers grew weary of paying first class prices for second rate shows and the practice ceased to be profita- ble. The larger cities of the south, in cluding Birmingham, will get the best road shows. In fact, with possibly a few exceptions, Birmingham has the same grade of shows that are seen in Chicago, although we don't have so many in single season. It is not un- usual for a New York success to be presented in Birmingham before it is seen by Chicago audiences.
 VAT HEN Thomas Jefferson founded w the democratic party he made it enduring by imparting to it broad philosophy and profound human in- terest. Principles, not expediency, dis tinguished it in the early days of the republic, just as they give it strength
 today. In the Democratic Party as na ure f a Constructive Force things tn e
 mocra ii c party was always the party of the people, and all men who felt an inn pulse to champion the cause of the weak or the oppressed found them selves in the ranks of this party.
 It never lacked for able leadership, but when in power an absence of llar- mony sometimes prevented it from writing constructive laws on the statute books.
 During the eighties and nineties the democrats may have had little to their credit in the way of epochal legisla- ton. But if they were not always es- teemed among business men in great financial centers it was because the party was not in Complete control" and was thereby without the oppor- tunity for showing what it could do.