Word: menckenism
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When William Bradford Huie took over the American Mercury two years ago, he promised to "recreate" the magazine in the great tradition of its first editor, Henry L. Mencken. But Bill Huie, who has been in hot water before with his books and articles (TIME, May 30, 1949 et seq.), found himself in trouble again. Almost at the start, he fell out with his backer, Manhattan Millionaire Clendenin Ryan. Five months ago the Mercury owed so much money that Huie was ready to close down. In time's nick, Huie found an angel: J. (for John) Russell Maguire...
Mercury's editors Martin Greenberg, 34, and Gunther Stuhlmann, 26, resigned. Said their joint statement: "It had been our understanding that the magazine would strive to represent dynamic and sophisticated conservatism-in Mencken's words, 'Tory, but civilized Tory'-and that was the direction in which we sought to guide it." But in view of [Maguire's] lack of sympathy [with these views], we feel it impossible to continue...
...instance, there was the spring day in 1926 when H. L. Mencken strode onto Boston Common, and in the presence of 2,000 cheering students, his two attorneys, and the Boston vice-squad, accepted a marked half-dollar from the Rev. J. Frank Chase in payment for the "Hatrack" issue of Mencken's American Mercury. The police and Chase's Watch and Ward Society had placed the issue under the ban because the short story "Hatrack" concerned prostitution in a small town...
...Mencken, in a subsequent trial, was cleared of all charges, and the subject was a source of glee to him ever after. Other booksellers have not been so fortunate...
...said the President, "what about that account I've read of Fillmore's stopping off in Cincinnati . . . ?" Said Hassett regretfully, "That's all in Mencken." "But I've seen a paper the American Medical Association drew up . . ." said the President. Hassett gave Mencken credit again. The President shook his head. "I'd swear those A.M.A. fellows didn't think it was a hoax...