One for my self to read over and over.
One to be placed in the local barber shop, to catch the eye of a waiting
customer.
One for Dartmouth College’s reading room.
One for my farmer friend, with the request that he lend it to his
neighbor.
As nothing succeeds like success, please inform your readers of it, from
time to time, for the cause is quite as much ours as yours.
* * * * *
_D. T. Mitchell, Woodlandville, Mo._
I have always been an admirer of Tom Watson and am yet, as I am of W. J.
Bryan. But while I am an admirer of these men I have no faith in their
proposed remedies for the ills, both political and social, from which the
proletariat of this great nation are suffering.
They both lean, and in a certain sense lead, in the right direction, as I
think, but, alas, stop short of any effective measures for the permanent
and general well being of the great mass of wealth creators in this great
big trust-governed nation.
The leaning and leading of these men that I admire is in the primer of
Socialism. But there it stops, and as long as it stops there it will,
in my humble judgment, eventuate in no permanent good to the great body
of our citizenship today so sorely in need of deliverance from the
wealth-absorbing institutions and processes of these U. S. of Trustdom.
Equality of opportunity to grow and develop the very best there is in
each child born into this world ought to be the certain inheritance of
every American born child, and that you can never have with our present
system of inheritance. Every worker ought to have free access to nature’s
store house of wealth and then be guaranteed in the certain possession
of what he brings therefrom and this can never be had with individual
ownership of land.
Yours for Truth and Justice.
* * * * *
_George R. Murray, Greenwich, Conn._
I have been reading your Magazine since your first issue and I can assure
you it is like good wine—it improves with age. You have got the right
spirit of independence and you are putting practical issues before the
public in a manner never before attempted. Keep up the good work and your
efforts will soon be appreciated by the toilers who have been blind to
their interests in the past, and kindly devote as much of your valuable
time and space to organized labor and their interests as possible, and I
can assure you it will be highly appreciated by a large number of your
admirers, “union men.”
Yours for Right and Truth.
* * * * *
_John S. Iszard, Georgetown, S. C._
I have been reading your Magazine for three months and I find it is the
best one that I have ever read and I will continue reading them. Of all
the magazines that sell for ten cents, give me TOM WATSON’S.
* * * * *
_Mrs. George Peters, Prescott, Ariz._
I have just finished reading in your valuable Magazine, “Is Money to Rule
Us?” a subject that greatly interests me. What is money? It is nothing
more than a little glittering dirt, taken from the bowels of the earth
by man, rolled in little flat round pieces, and given the name of money.
And we, who consider ourselves civilized, allow that glittering dirt to
influence us far more than principle.
* * * * *
_A. D. R. Hamby, Ava, Mo._
I have one of your first copies and would not enter any serious
objections, but as to my own taste there are some of the fictitious
articles that are not conducive to good information and might be
substituted with better literature. I believe that the people have too
many fancy fictitious falsehoods and long and tedious explanations which
could be reduced to plain and simple facts.
I am a native of Georgia and I like the name Tom Watson and the cause he
espouses a great sight better. Here is my motto: “Unity, Unity, Unity,
Unity.”
* * * * *
_Robert Heriot, Little Rock, Ark._
I have read each number of TOM WATSON’S MAGAZINE since its
publication—buying it at the book store.
Being a Democrat in politics, of course, I think it is the most
interesting periodical published in the United States. I don’t know which
to admire most—the principles it advocates or the brilliant manner in
which they are presented. I hope some day to be able to read “The Life of
Napoleon,” “The Life and Times of Thomas Jefferson,” and “The Story of
France” by the editor of the Magazine. I will say though, that I believe
if all the reforms advocated by the Populists (who are nothing more or
less than real Democrats) and the best plank in the platforms of the two
old parties that do not conflict with the former, were adopted into law,
that the condition of the lower strata of society would be benefited very
little.
The reasons therefor would take up too much space in this letter but
they are ably set forth in “Progress and Poverty” by Henry George, and
in chapter nine, Social Statistics. In one of the early editions by
Herbert Spencer, George’s remedy, explained in a few words, provides
for confiscating rent for the purposes of governmental expenses and
abolishing all taxation on labor. If anyone thinks the above change
would hurt the farmer, he should read what Tom Johnson, the Mayor of
Cleveland, O., has to say on the subject. A perfect monetary system and
a transportation system run at cost, would only make much more wealth to
be absorbed by the earth owners. The writer has been a loyal member of
organized labor (Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers) since 1872, and he
has come to the conclusion that no permanent relief can be expected in
that direction even without taking taxation from productive effort.
* * * * *
_M. C. Read, Tampa, Fla._
All your editorials are well suited in style to interest the masses—all
stubborn facts beyond contradiction. If the masses could be properly
politically educated the great difficulty would be removed. In the way
of reformation there are many obstacles to change our governmental
affairs by a vote of the people. They seem to be hypnotised by the great
money power of corporations. The press is almost entirely subsidized.
The reader gets but one side of the question discussed by writing or
orations. Each candidate of his party makes his speeches without joint
debate, generally, and the result—but very few have but a vague idea of
present conditions. Today is my birthday. Born the 9th of January, 1820,
but I hope and trust I am to pass another Presidential election and I
assure you, sir, it would be the grandest desire of my long life to see
you seated in the Presidential chair in 1908.
* * * * *
_From T. E. W., Ohio._
In the January number of WATSON’S MAGAZINE, among the items of home news
from November 9 to December 7, I notice that the Standard Oil Co. raised
the price of refined oil ½ cent a gallon. That is equivalent to 21 cents
a barrel. That was only one half of the story. They dropped the price of
Crude Oil at the same time 3 cents a barrel, or from $1.61 to $1.58 per
barrel, and not a paper or a magazine in the country as far as I have
seen has a word to say about it. I do not think it of any use to comment
on it to you. I have no idea you knew of it, or you would have been after
them with a hot stick.
On page 268 in commenting on John D., you say he is the man who compelled
the railroads, etc. It has always been a surprise to me that some of our
statesmen as well as Ida Tarbell, Tom Lawson and other writers, talk
about the Standard Oil Company compelling the railroads. I have had
twenty-five years’ experience in the business and I say it is nothing of
the kind. _The railroads are the Standard Oil Co._ Rockefeller, as far
as the oil business and the railroads are concerned, is only a _stool
pigeon_. If you want proof of it look at Pullman. When Pullman was alive
everything was Pullman. When he died it was found he had only a one-sixth
interest. If he could make the money he did on his one-sixth interest,
what must the gang back of him have made? Now oil can be carried cheaper
for long distances by rail than by pipe-line. What is the use of talking
about the railroads being compelled? I do not believe this country has
any more idea of what it is up against than a lot of babies.
I should like to see you. I know you are in New York often. Some time
when I am in the city I will call at your quarters and see if you are
there.
* * * * *
_Reddin Andrews, A. M., Tyler, Tex._
I have read every number of WATSON’S MAGAZINE. It is immense. There is
nothing like it in the whole realm of literature. It is the only magazine
dealing with political, social and economic questions, that tells the
whole truth. It is the only one that is in position to afford indulgence
in such a luxury as telling the whole truth.
It seems to me that WATSON’S MAGAZINE has met with greater favor than you
could have anticipated. I wish that it had a million subscribers. I do
not now take time, nor tax your patience by reading further, to mention
some special excellencies of the Magazine.
* * * * *
_A. C. Ditty, Appleton City, Mo._
Am still a Populist, but Populists are few here. The most of them got
such a dose of Bryanism in ’96 that it killed the most of them and that
was just what Bryan and his bunch wanted, and it worked well in these
parts; yet some of the fools say Bryan is a good Populist. If Bryan is a
Populist, I am not—no, not by a d—n sight! He stands for anything to get
a big name and make a big blow. That’s all, and if the Populists ever
expect to do anything they must let such cattle as W. J. alone. Nothing
in him but wind and not Pop wind either. He is plumb full of plut. wind
and that isn’t good for a Populist; or that is my view of the orator from
the Platte. I hope to see a new revival along Populist lines in the near
future.
I will try to convert some of the old fellows. They all admit we are
right, but yet they still vote the old ticket. That is mighty poor logic.
The great trouble, as I see it, is this. The prejudice that grew out
of the War still sticks in the people, and as long as the Democrats and
Republicans can hold the reins, just so long will that prejudice remain
with the people either one killed. I was a Confederate soldier but I have
no love for either of the old parties. I claim it was the war Democrats
that licked us Johnnies—no, not licked, but overpowered us.
* * * * *
_H. N. Holmes, Hemple, Mo._
I am one of the charter members of your Magazine and I have been handing
it out to some mighty good men for them to read. I am forty-eight years
old and have read a heap and I believe that I will be inside of the truth
when I say that there is more good sound sense in one of your Magazines
than in all of the newspapers that I ever read outside of the _Missouri
World_ and the paper that you used to publish. I took it as long as you
ran it. I have followed you ever since you were in Congress. I got a
couple of your campaign books at that time, voted for you every time I
got a chance to. I would rather cast ten thousand votes for Tom Watson
than one for the sainted Bryan. I wouldn’t give Tom Watson for all the
Bryans that could stand on Nebraska soil. I don’t think he is good stuff
for reform, or for the plutocrats either. I will close by saying that I
think TOM WATSON’S MAGAZINE is the finest in the world, and I have never
seen anything that would equal it for an educator. Give it to them, Tom.
I believe the boys are leaning your way.
* * * * *
_J. L. Reynolds, North Augusta, S. C._
I thought enough of your Magazine to send you a renewal of my
subscription which will carry me through to April, 1907. I have always
admired Mr. Watson as a writer, and as long as he writes as well as
during these last two or three years I shall continue to read his stuff.
I admire some of his politics but am not a third party man, nor am I
populistic in my views. I am an independent, I presume, or “on the fence”
ready to fall in line with an honest party, one foreign to the present.
I see no reason why the Magazine should not reach into the millions. It
is good enough, fair enough, bold enough, and honest enough to give each
and every one a fair deal. Tell Tom to hit Roosevelt and he’ll please me.
* * * * *
_F. C. Gibbs, Waterville, Minn._
You are doing splendid work with the Magazine. I was chairman of the
State Central Committee of this State in 1896, the year Bryan ran the
first time, and the year he destroyed the People’s Party. When he
swallowed the gold standard, Parker, gold telegram, boots and all, he
lost the last vestige of respect I had for him. He has been weighed in
the balance and found wanting.
* * * * *
_S. A. Hauser, Winston-Salem, N. C._
I have never stated to you my position on the money question. You say
“Mr. Hauser seems to think that there is substantially no difference
between the Socialist position on money and that taken by the Populist.”
Yes, there is some difference. The Pops are wedded to the legal tender
system which is the only sane system, too safe and sound and just
for the exploiters. I am a Socialist and my position is this on the
money question. I would have legal tender only till the co-operative
commonwealth is established. Then I would use labor checks to denote the
price of a given article. For instance, if it took John Smith 30 minutes
to make a hat, 30M. would be the cost in labor, and hence would be the
price of the hat. So Dick Jones, who labors 30 minutes and makes a pair
of shoes, could take his time check and exchange it for the hat. In Rev.,
18 chap. and 11 verse, you will find this: “For no man buyeth their
merchandise any more.” That time is coming and it looks as if it was
nearly here. The Ethics of Socialism are the same as the Bible and are
therefore right. Therefore Socialism is irrefutable.
I know the Pops and Soc. ought to unite, but whether they will or not is
the question. If the Pop Party represents the workingman’s interest then
the working people in that party and the working people in the Soc. Party
should harmonize their differences. When they become sensible enough they
will. The capitalists have laid the example for the workingman. He must
do or be done forever.
* * * * *
_Charles R. Long, Bedias, Tex._
I want to work to get all the plain people to concentrate forces
regardless of party lines.
Hurrah for Tom Watson, Tom Lawson, Tom Paine and Tom Jefferson.
* * * * *
_A. M. Brannan, Guy, Ark._
I reckon the Lord only knows how much I rejoice while reading the
_Missouri World_ and WATSON’S MAGAZINE, and in each of them see that we
yet have men who have the wisdom and ability to turn on the light and are
not afraid to do it. Yes, men who are veteran patriots, worthy of all
the honor that has ever been conferred on them and to whom this American
government will owe lasting praise and gratitude for its salvation.
Now, sir, I don’t believe I have said too much so far and what I say
more than this is real. I now feel like repeating the words of Paul
Jones when asked if he was not ready to surrender, “I have just begun to
fight,” and I tell you the truth when I say that I have been saying this
for thirteen years. But let me tell you, and all who may see this, the
meanest, dirtiest thing I have done politically in all these thirteen
years. Right now some of the Old Guard are ready to say “He voted for
Bryan and Fusion.” Well, yes, I did. The fact is I didn’t know as much
then as I do now and I wanted relief, and I got it. Yes, got relieved of
a chance to vote for reform until the last Presidential election when I
got to vote, and not only to vote but work also for the election of our
gallant, patriotic, country-loving, people-serving and never-surrender
Thomas E. Watson. And if it is the Lord’s will I pray that he may not, as
our brave L. L. Polk, fall before the great battle is fought, or rather
finished, but that he may live to see his ambition realized and all the
down trodden and corporation ridden laborers and producers once more free
and enjoying the fruits of their labors, and this government once more in
the hands of the people.
I have just returned from Foulkner Co., a county south of where I live,
and while there I met one of my old Populist friends and he began to tell
me about receiving one of Watson’s Magazines, and, said he, “It is the
best thing politically I ever saw,” and, “In a short while after that
they registered my name as a subscriber and I have been reading it ever
since.” He then went on to say that Dr. Snoddy of Saltillo has received
the November number, and said the doctor says it is the richest and
ablest political magazine he ever saw. So I see how much good we all may
do by sending out Populist literature among the people.
Ed. J. Chastain, and I went to work and got 5 subscriptions for that
champion of the people’s cause. If I was able to I would send, or
have sent, TOM WATSON’S MAGAZINE to 20 men here in this country. Yes,
and I believe if Congress was creating money and regulating the value
thereof as the Constitution says they should, I would be able to do
this. Yes, and not only that, but 20 men would have the money if we had
a just division of the wealth that we produce, but when I ask a man to
subscribe for the Magazine he says, “I would love to have it but I am
not able,” and so it is. So now, you poor man, see where we are at.
The money changers and money creators have got us now where we can’t
afford to spend a little of the little money, we can get for something
that will tell us how to find where we are at. I believe the day is now
dawning on our American land. Our great chiefs and hypocritical leaders,
who have been looking across the briny deep with pitying eyes, are now
beginning to feel a little muddled and puzzled at the turn things are
taking on this side, and I feel like the dirt will be finally scraped
off deep enough so that enough of the deceived wealth producers, real
government supporters, can see the greatness of our (Populist) claims and
the injustice of the favoritism that does now exist as shown up by our
noble watchmen, and elect men to steer the ship of state once more so as
to save this one glorious American government to the people who pay the
tax to run it. And now, in conclusion, let me say that it seems like we
are doing nothing here in Arkansas; at least it appears so to me. Yet I
think if we had an organizer to go ahead, that many of the bewildered
Democrats, and Republicans too, would fall into line and march with us
to victory. I see that Benty has been appointed national organizer. If he
should see this I hope he will let us know when we may expect him in our
part of Arkansas. I live in Van Buren County.
I am aiming to take and read and study the inestimable TOM WATSON’S
MAGAZINE just as long as I can raise a dollar to pay for it, and I am
going to get all to subscribe for it I can, and sometime in the future I
want to write something for the benefit of preachers, as there is much
depending on them just now.
* * * * *
_Owens Miller, Gatesville, Tex._
I have been purchasing the Magazine from our news agent since the
publication began, and have all the back numbers up to and including the
November issue. I can’t afford to lose a single issue as I desire to keep
them for reference in the future. Our news agent sold all of his December
supply before I called.
I quit the Democratic party when Cleveland demanded and compelled
a Democratic Congress to finish the Republican financial policy by
repealing the Sherman Silver law, and selling bonds to supply a gold
reserve in the treasury, and I have been a Populist from that day to this.
Of course, I have been left almost alone since W. J. B. and his followers
appropriated the bulk of our platform timbers and in that way captured
and allured thousands of our good reformers back into the so-called
Democratic fold, and things have looked gloomy and lonesome around the
old camp-fires most of the time, but I can’t get my consent to undertake
to keep up with the shifting peregrinations of the Democratic band-wagon
under its latter-day leadership. So I am content to remain with the
faithful mid-roaders who have had the courage to resist the allurement of
the fleshpots of modern Democracy.
I am by profession a lawyer and while I voted the old party ticket and
supported all of its nominees, regardless of their fitness for the
positions they were running for, I had a good patronage and was doing
fairly well, but when I threw off the shackles and refused to obey
the party lash, scores of my old friends withdrew their patronage and
suddenly concluded that I had lost my influence with the courts and
juries of the county, and joined in a hue and cry to ruin my business
and by this means to force me to at least be quiet in reference to my
political convictions. Some of my ancestors were Irish and some Scotch
and I was born and grew to manhood in Kentucky, and of course the blood
that runs in my veins and the atmosphere that I breathed in my young life
combined has developed a disposition that revolts at coercion in matters
of conscience and the right to speak and vote as I see the right to be.
However, I have lived these things down in a measure, and am still
earning a living for myself and family in spite of persecutions, and I
enjoy the privilege of occasionally reminding the hide-bound Democrats
of their inconsistencies and of asking them what position their party
occupies today and what its position will be in 1908. Of course they
don’t know just where they are at now and no prophet could afford to
predict where they will be even next year, and so they are mute and can
only reply by a sickly smile.
I often wonder how much longer this rotten fabric can hold together. Of
course a party with no fixed principles or common policies, can never
succeed in gaining control of the government machinery and they ought
not to, for no one can foresee or even surmise what the results would be
with such a mass of inharmonious elements undertaking at the same time
to steer the course of the ship of state. The Populo-Democrats would
pull hard on the oars in one direction and the Republico-Democrats would
strive to pull the vessel in the opposite direction, and of course the
results would be “confusion worse confounded.”
I can see but one way of hope and that comes from the wide-spread
disposition to condemn crimes in high places, and to break away from
partisan bossisms throughout the land. This may be the breaking of old
party chains that will ultimately result in independent political thought
and action, and culminate in an era of honesty in the administration of
public affairs and also in private dealings among men. At least I hope
so.
[Illustration: PUTTERIN’ ROUND.