MR. BRYAN'S "TURN."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1853, 12 September 1913, Page 7

MR. BRYAN'S "TURN."

PRECEDED BY SWISS JODELLERS. By Telesraph—Press Association-Copyright ("Times"—Sydney "Sun" Special Cables.) Now York, Septembor 10. Mr. W. J. Bryan (Secretary of State) lectured at Salisbury. A troupe of Swiss girls jodelled beforehand, but thoro were no other vaudeville turns. Not a few editors have been gravely concerned over the possible loss of dignity which tho office of Secretary of State might sustain by, the actions of the present incumbent, observes the "Outlook" in the course of an interesting symposium of press opinions on Mr. Bryan's decision to augment his income by lecturing tours. The New York "Evening Post" (Ind.) thii9 describes the manner in which Secretary Bryan was "billed" for Emporia. Illinois. According to tho "Post," his advent was thus heralded "Ten Big Days," runs the sevencolumn advertisement in William Allen White's "Gazette," "Afternoon and ' Night, Twenty Eich Royal Sessions. Nearly every session a double programme." "Literary" all this is to he, and "musical, entertaining, instructive, devotional, inspirational, and life-building.'' Agrceablo as this is, wo wish for details. And hero, right in the first column, they are: New York City Marine Band Avon Sketch Club English Opera , Quintet Neapolitan Troubadours William Jennings Bryan Sears, tho Taffy Man Such advertisement as the preceding moves the New York "Tribune" (Rep.) to remark: "The Secretaryship of State Li one of the great offices of the land. ■ Sinco tihe declino in the prestige of tho Speakership it may fairly be said to rank second only to tho Presidency in . importance and dignity. For tho occupant of that office to exhibit himsrff as a lecturer for hire is ; to cast every consideration of dignity and decency to the winds and turn tho Government of the United States into o. travelling side-show. Secretary Bryan cannot retreat from his impossible stand too quickly. If ho needs assistance in realising the soundness of tho country-wide protest, that _ assistance should be rendered by President Wilson without delay." Such, too, seems to be the general opinion of the foreign press, if wo are to judge from tho brief cabled reports. The "Pall Mall Gazette," London, says: "Tho combination of tho roles of Cabinet Minister and professional entertainer is the most bizarre imaginable to British ways of'thinking, and we shall be surprised if even American opinion can reconcile itself to tho incongruity." ! If tho matter were left to a majority vote, we believe tlhat tho consensus of opinion would favour commending to Mr. Bryan's attention Thomas Jefferson's opinion concerning the duties of a public official. Wo find it quoted in the NewYork "World" (Ind. Dem.): "In a virtuous government, and more especially in'times liJco these, public offices are what they should be, burthens to those appointed to them, which it would be wrong to decline, ■ though foreseen to bring with them intense labour and great private loss."