The Washington times., 1917-09-11

An intimate view OF the politics
and political intrigues Of the America
OF washington's time, with Alexander
Hamilton, Washington's Secretary OF
the Treasury, as the central figure,
was ably presented at the National
Theater last night, with George Arliss
in the leading role
A special local color and timeliness
make the play Of particular interest
in Washington at this time, and one
is given a refreshing peep at the men
and manners Of the fascinating period
of the FIRST Presidential AdminIstra-
tion, which adds not a little to the
enjoyment OF the Offering.
Mrs. Mary P. Hamiin and George
Arliss, authors of the production, have
gone painstakingly into the obscure
pages OF history to present the char
acter OF the man who was Washing
tons main dependence in the stormy
days following the close OF the Revo-
lutionary war.
The play is built around the effort
of Washington and Hamilton to Sc
cure enactment OF the law making
for a more centralized government.
Hamilton particularly desired the
Federal Government TO take over the
debts Of the individual States.
Opposed to him in this effort are
Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Carl
Anthony, and James Monroe, which
role is taken by Hardee kirkland. AL
lied with jefferson and Monroe, who
credit the charge that Washington is
planning to make himself king Of the
infant republic, with Hamilton as
his prime minister, is William B.
Giles, a Congressman from Virginia,
man OF much lower order than Jeffer-
son and Monroe, who stops at moth
ing for the attainment Of his ends.
want Capital In south.
Jefferson and Monroe want the
Capital OF the new country in the
South. Finally Hamilton and his po-
ntical foes come to an agreement
Monroe and Jefferson will support his
bill for Capitalization OF the debts Of
the States. and Hamilton will urge a
site on the Potomac for the new Capt.
tai.
Giles, meanwhile, connives with one
James Reynolds to blacken the char
acter Of Hamilton while Mrs. Hamil-
ton Is away in England, through COM
promising him with Mrs. Reynolds.
In the third act Jefferson and Monroe
produce receipts for money held by
Reynolds, and charge Hamilton with
supplying him with money with which
to buy up the bonds OF the States,
knowing they will grow in value
through passage OF Hamilton's bill to
have the Federal Government assume
the debts.
In reality the money given Reynolds
a. l..
through his wife for Hamilton's es-
capade. Torn between acknowledging
an affair with the Reynolds woman
and holding his political opponents to
their promise OF support Of his bill, or
permitting the exposure OF his affair
with Mrs. Reynolds, which is threat
ened openly by Giles, Hamilton
chooses to wreck, as he thinks. his
own life and career for the sake OF
his dream for the new republic.
Friends Support Him
When the whole story is published
the harassed Secretary of the Treas
ury is amazed to md friends and foes
alike in politics understanding the
situation, hocking to his side and to
his support Jefferson and Monroe dis
claim any part in the Vaccinations of
Giles. Mrs. Hamilton, who, unob-
served, overhears this scene, is won
over by the unquestioning support
given her husband in his hour of
trial, and goes to his side.
The case is well balanced, and Mr.
Arliss finds himself ably supported
even down to the negro servants,
whose dialect, philosophy, and wit
furnish comedy relief touches to the
serious and masterfuIly handled pro
duction-
In the role Of Hamilton, Mr.. ArlIss
has opportunity to display all the rare
charms OF his high art