The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-12
ON SECOND THOUGHT
BY JAY E. HOUSE.
(From Philadelphia Public Ledgsr.)

not only give us pause, they give US
pain. 1t seems to be the disposition
of the "highbrow" element of the cdi-
torial guild to make satiric Jest of the
alleged fact that both Mr.. Harding
and Governor Cox are political IN
knowns and that they were lifted from
obscurity by their respective parties.
Our usually anna BILE If not particularly
intriguing contemporary, Life, which
nearly always has flat G string,
stresses that point in a recent issue.
The objective of our laboring "hIGh-
brow" brothers seems to be that both
the Republicans and the Democrats
should have widely known and justly
famous man for the presidential nomi-
nation. The implication is that neither
Mr.. Harding nor Governor Cox is big
enough for the job. As we have noted,
that sort of flapdoodle inks us sore.
We prickle as one afflicted with
rash whenever we read it.
Roughly speaking, the justly famous
and most widely known citizens OF
Ruth, Eugene V. Debs, Douglas Fair
banks, Senator Hiram Johnson, Jack
Dempsey, William Randolph Hearst,
Samuel Gompers, Henry Ford, AF Jol-
son, Harold Bell Wright, Charlie
Chaplin and Smith Brothers We do
not pretend that this is a complete
list of the widely known and justly
famous other names might be added.
AS an instance, Emma Goldman would
be eligible to entry, were she citizen
of this country. But, for reasons that
are well known and TO which no refer
ence need be made, Emma no longer
is a resident of the United States. In
a general way, however. the list set
down fixes the meter and bounds OF
fame and prominence in this country
and serves the purpose for which it is
intended We are curious, and, we
think. justifiably so. as to which two
of these famous men the "highbrow
clement of the editorial guild would
have picked for = the nominations
Meanwhile, we shall consider their
claims to such nominations without
prejudice and without<heat.
Mr.. Bryan has run for president
three times and has been defeated in
each instance. 1t seems impossible to
elect Mr.. Bryan, 1--WE doubt that either
marty should be criticised for failing
10 tender him a fourth nomination.
The same objections hold against Mr..
Debs, who is now entering upon MS
fifth campaign for the presidency with
victory as remote as IL was twenty
years ago. Samuel Gompers has been
president a good deal of the time for
the past eight years and is barred by
the third term precedent. Mr.. Wright
has just got his divorce and is in no
position to run for office. The I'M
written law in this country is that no
gentleman shall run for an office of
major significance within six months
of the date on which his decree is
granted. Senator Hiram johnson
failed to gather a sufficient number of
delegates and we doubt that he would
be more acceptable to the "highbrow'
members of the editorial guild than
Mr.. Harding or Governor Cox. 1t is
conceded Mr.. Hearst could get the
-.
provided it were cast solidly, would
elect the president. But we doubt
either of the two great parties should
be maligned, even by implication, for
declining to nominate Mr.. Hearst. Mr..
Jolson is ineligible by reason of the
fact that he is not yet thirty-five years
of age. Mr.. Dempsey is barred by the
same accident of birth. Babe" Ruth
is under contract to the New York
Americans and has no chance of secur-
ing his release. A presidential cam
paign, too, would interfere with his
contract with the motion picture pro-
ducers and would deprive the people
of the great privilege of observing him
in histrionic roles. Knowing the
temper of the people, neither party
dared nominate the Babe" That
narrows the field to Mr.. Ford, Mr.
Chaplin. Mr.. Fairbanks and Smith
Brothers. Smith Brothers probably
would make a good president. They.
run fine restaurant in Poughkeepsie.
We had luncheon there one day not
long since We have never eaten bet
ter raspberry pie. The crust was a
little soggy, but the filling was as
nectar. But the idea of nominating
for president men who are capable of
running a good restaurant will strike
every clear thinking American as pra-
posterous and uncalled for. Anybody
proven. Running a good restaurant
requires both adapta bility and unusual
mental equipment
There are various ways of becom-
ing widely Known and justly famous
Probably the most popular way is for
the gentleman who seeks fame and
fortune to pretend he is going to do
something for the people. OF course,
nobody ever does anything for the
people. The proposed feat is impos-
sible of accomplishment If the peo-
pie can't do it themselves. it can't be
done. But it is one of the best of the
old stalls and always enlists fol-
lowing. Another way of becoming
widely known and justly famous is by
taking FOLLY. No man achieves much
distinction by talking sense, but if he
can obtain his own consent to talk
folly he will attract attention and is
likely to become famous. There are
many other routes to prominence and
leadership. Throwing a custard pie.
singing risque songs making the
cheaper motor car or hitting a home
run at the crucial moment all bring
fame to the individual performer. AS
an American citizen, We are glad that
neither Mr.. Harding nor Governor Cox
has any such exploits to his credit
Being a Republican, we likely shall
vote for Mr. Harding. The Republi-
can party seems bit more capable in
efficiently administering government.
The Democrats go into the campaign
handicapped by an administration
which blew up at a critical moment.
We lean to MI. Harding But the
spectacle of two candidates for presi-
den, both Of whom came up thru the
dirt to positions of eminence. and both
of whom trace back thru generation
after generation of clean living. clean
thinking Americans thrills us It stirs