The Song of Cleveland

It was the mark of a new era when the peoples of the world undertook the business of government. There were often bloody revolutions when the Third Estate took the ascendency in the councils of nations from nobility and clergy. Is the time near at hand when the Third Estate will be displaced by the Fourth Estate? And will there be a bloody revolution? The trend of events points to a shifting of the ascendency, whether sanguinary or bloodless.

When the Republican National Convention assembles at Cleveland next June, there will be 1,109 delegates, "representatives of the Republican electorate" crowded on the great floor of Public Hall. But in the best place, immediately before the platform, and especially accommodated with desks, will sit 529 representatives of the press. On other parts of the floor, will be 500 other members of the Fourth Estate. The "line up" will be--Third Estate 1,109; Fourth Estate 1,000 (approximately). Almost a parity.

To be sure, the Fourth Estate will not vote. Its only conference chambers will be offices of the press associations and telegraph companies in the basement. But from one standpoint it will wield a far greater power than the Third Estate, the power to "make" or damn policies and men in the eyes of the country.

A thousand reporters to tell of the labors of a thousand politicians--it is a tribute to the importance and thoroughness of the press. But it is also a sign of weakness. One Homer served to immortalize the story of 100,000 Myrmidons before the city of Troy. With less reduplication of news, a few men of marked ability might sing the story of 1,000 politicians more coherently and more enduringly than the small army of correspondents who will sweat next Summer in Cleveland.

One thing is to be said for the Fourth Estate--it has the good-will of the representatives of the Third. Three members of the Republican National Committee assigned to the newspapermen the 1,000 best-placed seats.