The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-16
ON SECOND THOUGHT
By JAY E. HOUSE
(From Philadelphia Public LecgerJ

(From Philadelphia Public LedgsrJ
We find the campaign dull enough,
but one of its purely speculative
phases momentarily intrigues US. 1t
has been announced, by those appar-
entity authorized to speak. that, at the
proper moment. the White House
would align itself behind certain
presidential candidate who contem-
plates the pot from the covert reared
by a busted flush
We don't think it makes any dif-
ference and there is no hurry about it.
but when is woodrow going to the
front for Jimmy"
We easily can understand wood
rows reluctance to assume stand
ing position. Say what you will of
him, and there is plenty to be said,
he never forgot his dignity nor stoop-
ed to handy physiological bunk"
from the level of ward politics But
the assurance that he would be there
in due season with the good old word
seemed to be advised.
We never found it in our heart to
criticise the chap who plays them
close to his waistcoat- Likely he has
wife and children to support. But
we just naturally hate the guy who
squeezes his cards.
In order properly to celebrate the
news that Emma Goldman. Alexander
Berkman and their fellow martyrs are
now engaged in useful toll, Eph
Wiley's Cheering Party will give an
impromptu smoker at the fountain in
Rittenhouse Square beginning at 1880
o'clock this evening. It will be the
first of the Cheering Party's autumn
meeting, and a large attendance is ex-
pected.
The next succeeding meeting OF Mr..
WiIey's Cheering Party is indefinite
and no date has been fixed. It will
be held when somebody goes to work
in this country.
Recently" writes Jay c.. you re-
ferred to newspaper work as a not
unpleasant vocation am mildly
interested in learning whether the
carrying of the reportorial cane may
be classed as a pleasure
That, it seems to us, may be con-
strued as opening up a rather inter-
esting vein of discussion pertaining TO
the profession" At any rate, we
shall direct Jay C.'s chance inquiry to
that purpose. The reportorial cane is
an omen and a portent. 1t is, as we'll,
geographical and sectional. II indi-
Gates that the gent who carries it is
employed by a metropolitan newspaper
printed somewhere on the Atlantic
seahoard and that he has never
worked west of Pittsburgh. There are.
broadly speaking. no reportorial canes
west of a line drawn thru Pittsburgh
and Buffalo. Carrying the reportorial
cane is not so much a pleasure as il is
a rite. 1t signifies that it's owner
either belongs or has made application
for membership.
In the village in which the column
is held in fopdest remembrance it was
considered all right-it was even rated
as classy performance-for a re-
porter to carry cane on Sundays and
on the occasion of unusual festal OBJ
servance. so long as he did not show
up in his own office with it. But a
reporter who appeared for work carry
ing cane would have been sum
marily discharged. 1t simply was not
done.
The foregoing paragraphs serve to
light the way to a humiliating personal
experience which seems to be in point
We appeared at the recent Chicago
convention carrying a cane. AS a rep
resentative OF a great eastern news
paper-shali we not say the greatest
eastern newspaper it was our right
to do so. More than that, it was a
delicate compliment we owed TO that
newspaper. But when thus panoplied
and equipped we visited the political
headquarters of a certain western state
we were received with jeers and
raillery. Some of the reporters were
so bitter about it that they wired the
details of our ignominy to their papers
We trust these observations and
"reminiscences have not wearied you.
They fill space and we do want TO
get to the ball park in time to see the
first inning played. We haven't seen
first inning since 1918,
Our conjecture that Mr.. Toomey
may have banked" a friendly game
is only one of half a dozen leads that
should be followed He may have
spent an evening on a roof garden in
New York.
Or, he may have paid it out in re-.