The Washington herald., 1920-10-29
Politics and Pugilism.


present lively contest for the Presidency
will receive from a grateful nation for four
years full service in the exacting station oc-
cupied by the Chief Executive of any nation
salary OF 100000.
According to formal papers, about to be signed
with as much pomp and ceremony attends
treaty between two belligerent' nations person
named Dempsey is to get exactly this amount
for boxing from ten to fifteen rounds with the
French pugilist Carpenter.
The organizations of two great political parties
labored long and painfully to select the champions
in the Presidential bout The winner will be
selected by an electorate which this year may ex-
ceed 100000 voters Soue millions Of dollars
will behave been, in fact-expended in the task
OF educating these voters to a proper compre
hension of the virtues of the opposing champions
and the merits Of the political issues involved.
The victor will be installed in an office which
exceeds in personal power that OF any ruler in the
world, since the Kaiser and the Czar were over
thrown The possibilities OF autocracy is presents
are iIlimtable But with this enormous power
goes heavy responsibility. The task OF the Presi-
dcncy has so developed that it is almost beyond
the power OF 10 discharge it, unless
he have the faculty OF distributing work and
sponsiblty. This cannot be successfully done
less credit ior accomplishment be distributed as
late been task beyond the physical capacity OF
its incumbent
The man who alter election shall assume this
prOdigious task, and take upon himself the re-
>ponsibilities OF the most exalted station in the
vord, post which has thrice been vacated by
assassination, and the burdens OF which brought
one President to death, and another to a grave
nervous breakdown-this exalted official charged
with the destinies OF a great nation will be paid
by its grateful people $4,000 year for four years
The more eminent OF the two pugilists about to
meet in affray with padded gloves is TO get $780,
600; the less eminent 100000. The battle" can
not go beyond fifteen rounds Of three minutes
each.
Far be il from The Herald to question the
efficiency OF the Presidential salary. Such as it
Is it has never failed to attract Of the first
order OF ability. And we are not unaware that
with sundry allowances and pcrqusites it does,
in iact bulk rather larger than the sum which
eNpresse, the exact salary. But even with all
allowances ! falls far short OF half OF what the
eminent Dempsey is to get for his pugilistic en-
dcavors, ior hour or so. 1t may be urged
in explanation OF this that there are lots OF
men able to stand up against Jimmie" Cox on the
PLATFORM and but one able to meet Georges Car
pcnticr in the ring, but this is evading the direct
issue.
1t Is clear that ii money rewards are to be
taken standards, have long been setting a
mistaken goal for the ambition OF Young America.
What is the use OF teaching every boy in the
primary school that he may be President Of the
United States when the station OF heavyweight
champion is much more alluring? Why the
contest between the two "pugs" is expected to
bring not less than million dollars into the
pockets OF its promoters! Could Will Hays and
George White do we'll with meeting between
their two champions?
In practical age, when the colleges are all
trying to teach their students professions by
which a living may be made, why does no one
cndOw chair OF pugilism? Political science can
be relegatcd to the rear with the cultural nom
essentials like Greek and philosophy