Lane — To Edward J. Wheeler
Current Opinion
Washington, March 4, 1915
DEAR MR. WHEELER,—I am extremely obliged to you for your appreciative letter regarding my speech,1 but don’t publish it in the Poetry Department or you will absolutely ruin my reputation as a hard working official. No man in American politics can survive the reputation of being a poet. It is as bad as having a fine tenor voice, or knowing the difference between a Murillo and a Turner. The only reason I am forgiven for being occasionally flowery of speech is that I have been put down as having been one of those literary fellows in the past. Cordially yours,
Notes
1 On the American Pioneer.