The Say of Reform Editors

UNTIL the people who want reform get together in an organization all of whose members are substantially agreed, and with this organization elect a President and Congress, they will never get from under the heel of monopoly. Nothing can be done in a party which contains the monopolists.—The Missouri World.

The United States produces 319,000,000 metric tons of coal a year, worth at the mines $485,000,000, and costing consumers nearly a billion dollars.—Exchange.

That little item of 515 millions, absorbed mostly by the big corporations that own the railroads, is the people’s tribute to Our “Chevaliers d’Industrie.” When you come to think of it, aren’t we a nation of bloomin’ chumps?—The American Standard.

Teacher—Johnny, how many legs has an octopus?

Johnny—Seven.

Teacher—Why, Johnny, you ought to know better than that. The meaning of the word shows that it has eight.

Johnny—I know it used to have, but that was before dad was elected to the legislature. I heard him say he pulled a leg off the octopus.—Wetmore’s Weekly.

Under government ownership alone will it be possible to make railroad rates which shall be just to all the people, and this is now being generally recognized.—The Augusta Tribune.

What means this general onslaught, all along the line of the plutocratic press, upon one William Randolph Hearst, Democratic Congressman and late candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency? Republican and Democratic advocates of plutocracy vie with each other in the work of sticking pins into Mr. Hearst. Have these great newspapers been informed that Mr. Hearst is sincere, is honest, in his fight against the trusts? If so, their spontaneous and unanimous attempt to disarm him can be accounted for. The man who attempts to tear down the screen which is held up, mainly by these great newspapers, between the people and their despoilers, is sure to get the vials of their wrath poured out upon his head.—The Dalton Herald.

One of these days there will be two Republican Parties: one for government ownership of the Kansas oil refinery and one against it. Which are you going to stay with?—Smith Center (Kan.) Messenger.

People of similar interests should flock and work together, regardless of party name or of past differences, either fancied or real. The railroad people work together for their own interests; and their party affiliations have been and will be according to railroad interests, regardless of party name. So with corporationists in general, capitalists, etc. Then why do not the people unite according to their interests? The people of New Zealand did, and routed the capitalists.—The Medical World.

During the big coal strike, when Saint Baer was obdurate, Mr. Roosevelt threatened him with government ownership if he did not give in to the strikers.

The threat was a regular pivot blow to Baer, as good as any Professor Donovan will teach Mr. Roosevelt. Baer cried foul, but he went down and out all the same.

The lesson from America of how to knock out an obstinate coal-mine capitalist was not lost on the German Kaiser. Germany, too, has its coal-mine Baers, and a big coal strike is now on.

The Emperor has not only threatened the owners with government ownership of mines, but has gone to the extent of asking his bankers if Germany would have any trouble in floating the $250,000,000 in bonds to make the purchase.—Wilshire’s Magazine.

Emancipate the farmer from the thraldom of manipulated markets and the advice of his dear friends who know so much better than he does what he ought to do.—The Southern Mercury.

Bishop Berkeley’s poem being translated into Japanese, they pondered for awhile on the words: “Westward the course of empire takes its way,” then the little cherry blossom worshipers shouldered their knapsacks and started after the setting sun. At last accounts they had got as far as Tie Pass. None of them showed any intention of stopping there. How much further their empire will take its way nobody knows.—The Nebraska Independent.

That labor and culture should go together, that sweat and science should walk hand in hand, that art and harvest work should know each other for brothers, or that the sense of beauty and the capacity to dig a ditch should unite in the same personality, seems impossible to all those whose capacities are of the hothouse variety, and who feel “lifted up above common things by reason of their refinement.” But the changing order, which is making or shaping a world of reality to take the place of the world of seeming, is bringing just this thing to pass; and the time is not far distant when the gardener’s shears and apron will be in the possession of the man who writes art criticism, while the man who paints masterpieces will often be seen building fences. The “superior person” will then be chiefly interesting as an exotic, to be studied and duly ticketed as “rare” by those who have blood in their veins. Work is the very soul of life; and the idler, cultivated or other, has not lived in the past, does not live in the present, nor will he live in the future. When art and work are one and indivisible we shall not even ask for philosophers to compensate us for the illusions of life. Then the common, transfigured, will satisfy our every need.—Tomorrow.

No real battle between public rights and special privileges ever comes on in simple or unmistakable form. The crucial question is always so complicated with other issues as to bewilder men of the best intentions and of good judgment who happen to be interested on the right side of those other issues. It is upon bewilderments like these that conscious advocates of privilege depend for dividing the forces of their enemy when such a division becomes vital to them.—The Chicago Public.

It was an ill-advised move when Oklahoma joined the crusade against Standard Oil. Mr. Rockefeller may decide not to give her statehood.—The South McAlester (I. T.) Capital.

Recent reports of big industrial concerns show that they are having a good business year, thirty-seven companies paying dividends in March aggregating $24,000,000, compared with $21,800,000 last year and $19,800,000 the year before.—From weekly circular letter of Henry Clews, Banker, No. 35 Wall Street, New York, dated March 4, 1905.

Yes, the trusts are doing well. It is easy for anybody to make money if he controls the buying and selling price of an article the people must have. It may be a little surprising, though, to some, to learn that the trusts are faring even better now than heretofore.—The Missouri World.

We wish well of every public man who resolutely tries to do his duty. It matters not what political party he may affiliate with, if he is a friend of the people, we give him our word of encouragement and Godspeed. Among Democrats we find some notable examples of progressive statesmanship and some advocates of reform. The Republican Party is not without some public men whose works and words give evidence of a desire to stand for the best type of popular government. Yet every reformer in the Republican or Democratic Party has to spend too much time, energy and ammunition in fighting the enemies within the ranks of his own party. Mr. Bryan will wear his life out in trying to overcome his enemies in the so-called Democratic Party just as John P. Altgeld wore his life away. Governor La Follette always has war on his hands with the corporation element in his own party. And now that Mr. Roosevelt has outlined a radical course, he is beset by powerful opposition from high-up Republican politicians who represent special interests. He will not succeed in accomplishing much so long as all his energy is taken up in fighting the enemy at home. The very logic of events will force the radical reformers all into one party, and then the people will have something to hope for.—The Kansas Commoner.

Politeness is the external part of gentility, but it is often the principal weapon of rascality. A rude rascal is never as dangerous as a polite one.—The Seattle Patriarch.

Kansas will find it a big job fighting the Standard Oil trust, so long as the trust is in the national banking business and controls the means of transportation. Still, the people of Kansas, co-operating through their state government, can make it hot for the trust. The state can put $20,000,000 into the fight, and with this sum can build railroads, lay pipe lines and establish dozens of oil refineries. Twenty million dollars is a big sum, but is no more than the people of Kansas pay in national taxes every two years.—The Missouri World.

The magazines and big dailies are doing the country a great service. They have writers of ability; apparently these have long chafed under the galling chains of party manacles and are now glad to be free—glad to try their strength and exercise their taste and talents. Populists should secure every advantage possible, strengthen their organizations, keep these patriots closely in touch, and at every possible point be ready should a reaction come.

Again and again we have seen great waves of reform sweep over the land, and again and again we have seen the monopolists catch a second breath, spit on their hands and tie these good men down with party thongs and convention rules and resolutions.

Once we felt sure of McKinley and Garfield. Tom Ewing, Carlisle, McLean, Voorhees, David Davis, hundreds and hundreds of the brightest men in the land came to the front for a time and then dropped back when a reaction came.

Some of this reaction is due to the lack of true patriotism, to a lack of courage, fortitude; but whatever the cause may be, Populists should be prepared for the back-set and save as much advantage as possible. At the present every man is our friend. Almost without an exception the great statesmen and editors are with us. For the time being party lines are wiped out, Democrat or Republican, North or South.

Populist, put your best foot forward! You have pointed the way, the crowd has taken the road, now be kind, be true, speak carefully—do your level best.—The Joliet News.

The President does not want to injure the “System”; he only wants it to “tote fair.”

But the “System” does not want to “tote fair.” Its authors did not create it for any such commonplace purpose, and they will resist to the bitter end the endeavor of the President to halt the exploitation of the people by the trusts and combines.

What may grow out of this resistance by the “System”?

A split of the Republican Party into two factions—into the “square deal” Republicans and the “System” Republicans.—Berlin (Pa.) Record.

As long as boys read every week that John Doe or Richard Roe has made a fortune in one day cornering wheat or corn, or some other commodity, the gambling instinct in the young will hardly subside. Take away Mr. Doe’s profession by law.—The Smith Center (Kan.) Messenger.

THE MILEAGE ROLL OF DISHONOR

VOTED AYE

MEMBERS TO RETIRE

Republicans Democrats Union Labor

Daniels, Cal. Bell, Cal. Livernash, Cal.

Davis, Minn. Breazeale, La. Wynn, Cal.

Hunter, Ky. Dinsmore, Ark.

Kyle, O. Dougherty, Mo.

Morgan, O. Emerich, Ill.

Smith, N. Y. Foster, Ill.

Spalding, N. D. Griffith, Ind.

Van Voorhis, O. Hughes, N. J.

McAndrews, Ill.

Miers, Ind.

Richardson, Tenn.

Rider, N. Y.

Robb, Mo.

Robinson, Ind.

Shober, N. Y.

Shull, Pa.

Snook, O.

Wilson, N. Y.

Total 8 Total 19 Total 2

MEMBERS RETURNED

Republicans Democrats

Adams, Wis. Aiken, S. C.

Beidler, O. Broussard, La.

Bishop, Mich. Davey, La.

Brandegee, Conn. Fitzgerald, N. Y.

Brooks, Col. Goulden, N. Y.

Brown, Wis. Hill, Miss.

Brownlow, Tenn. Hunt, Mo.

Burke, S. D. Legare, S. C.

Cromer, Ind. McDermott, N. J.

Crumpacker, Ind. McNary, Mass.

Cushman, Wash. Maynard, Va.

Draper, N. Y. Pujo, La.

Dresser, Pa. Rainey, Ill.

Fordney, Mich. Ryan, N. Y.

Gardner, N. J. Sullivan, Mass.

Gillett, Cal.

Graff, Ill.

Grosvenor, O.

Howell, N. J.

Howell, Utah.

Hull, Iowa.

Humphrey, Wash.

Jones, Wash.

Knopf, Ill.

Lorimer, Ill.

Loudenslager, N. J.

McCleary, Minn.

Mann, Ill.

Marshall, N. D.

Martin, S. D.

Minor, Wis.

Overstreet, Ind.

Patterson, Pa.

Rodenberg, Ill.

Sherman, N. Y.

Smith, Iowa.

Snapp, Ill.

Southard, O.

Southwick, N. Y.

Sterling, Ill.

Sulloway, N. H.

Tawney, Minn.

Wachter, Md.

Weems, O.

Total 44 Total 15

DODGED

Republicans Democrats

Harrison, N. Y.

Scudder, N. Y.

Total Total 2

Birdsall, Iowa. Adamson, Ga.

Bonynge, Col. Bankhead, Ala.

Conner, Iowa. Bartlett, Ga.

Dovener, W. Va. Brantley, Ga.

Hamilton, Mich. Gilbert, Ky.

Hemenway, Ind. Goldfogle, N. Y.

Kennedy, O. Hopkins, Ky.

Lafean, Pa. Ruppert, N. Y.

Landis, Ind. Sims, Tenn.

Miller, Kan. Stanley, Ky.

Zenor, Ind. Stephens, Tex.

Wiley, Ala.

Total 11 Total 12

GRAND TOTAL—GRABBERS AND DODGERS

Republicans 63 Democrats 48 Union Labor 2

—Collier’s Weekly.

The industrial barons pay the same sum for a large as a small cotton crop. Just enough to keep the planters’ help alive.—The Appeal to Reason.

Alarmists who are forever crying about “the dangers of Socialism” remind one of that Scripture that tells of the fellow who “fleeth when no man pursueth.” There are comparatively few Socialists in the country. And if certain reforms are consummated there will be a less number. And there are mighty few Socialists who are “dangerous.”

In this connection may be noted an incident that occurred during the Cooper Union lecture course at New York City. It was claimed that the audiences, judged by their applause, were Socialistic. So a vote was taken. In one audience of 1,200 people there were less than twenty Socialists. Then this question was put to the audience: “Those who believe the time has come for the community to assert a larger control over the public enterprises, such as the trusts, railroads and public utilities, please rise.” The entire audience arose.

There are no “dangerous classes” in such an audience—a typical, intelligent public gathering. “The people will wobble right.” The people are discovering the wrongs in government and they are finding that they themselves are largely to blame for these wrongs. They find that they have neglected their rights. They have conferred special privileges. They have permitted aggressions. It is largely their own fault. They are beginning to see that. They want to correct their mistakes. They will correct them.

And those who cry “wolf” when the people are trying to get back their own are more dangerous than any others.—The Buffalo Times.

“Populist” is from the Latin word populus, meaning the people. “Populite,” which is used to a considerable extent in the South instead of Populist, is also from the Latin word populus. The original meaning of the words “populist,” “democrat” and “republican” is substantially the same.—The Missouri World.

Without vision a people perishes. The need for “seers” is greatest in a democracy where autocracy fails and the people must fall back upon broad instincts, intuitive reasoning and average intelligence. The poet-seer is the highest type of the visionary. His message comes in the form of rhythmic speech which has the widest carrying capacity. Poets, however, do not come into the world by accident. The poet comes only after preparation is made and reception is assured. For support he can depend no longer upon an indulgent king or upon patrons. Today the people stand in place of these. But as yet the collective mind has not worked out the problem of protection in spiritual properties. This is one of the main problems America has to meet: to create and sustain a race of poet-seers which will stand in right relation to the people and move in these broad lands as broad as they.—Tomorrow.

Monett, the Ohio lawyer, began the prosecution of the Standard Oil trust when the Government was fostering the trusts and the courts knocked him out. Now the Government begins to make signs that it is against the trusts and another case has been begun in Ohio. The courts will change their sides. Monett was downed by Rockefeller, beaten by the courts, and kicked out of the Republican Party. A nod from the President changed the whole situation.—The Nebraska Independent.

Despite the fact that the Czar refused to permit a delegation of workmen to present a petition to him, he, realizing the havoc that had been wreaked upon the people, finally consented to have a delegation call upon him and present their grievances. It may be true that the delegation was not those chosen by the men engaged in the original movement, but it is also true that even for appearance’ sake he had to go through the formality of receiving a delegation of workmen, and, at least to that degree, the new departure has been recognized.

It is also of interest to know that, though the Russian workmen have had no organization, yet their strike has been declared at an end by agreement, and that they are now engaged in the selection of their representatives in a mixed commission to determine the following questions: A shorter workday, an increase in wages, the right to organize, and assemblage and freedom of speech.

Jointly, the people insist that the government shall be based upon justice and the participation of the people therein, regardless of their station in life, equality before the law, inviolability of domicile, the freedom of association, of speech and of the press, and compulsory education.

Thus, after all, out of the strikes of the Russian workmen, though many of their dear ones have been killed and mutilated, their blood has sanctified their cause and will make for the good, the progress and the uplifting of all the people of Russia.—American Federationist.

A revolution is on, and the attacking party has inscribed the Populist principles upon its banners. The attacking party is not insurgents or rebels. It is in power, the Government, the whole thing. Never before has the prospect seemed at all discouraging for Standard Oil raids, Beef Trust schemes and kindred despoliation of the land and the fulness and the people thereof. Everything worth considering is now consolidated against the robbers. Have good cheer, Populists. The day is breaking. Up and don your armor. Whet your battle-axe.—The Joliet News.

He alone is great who can suggest a thought in such a way that the other man believes he originated it—The Philistine.

A Wall Street victim, after squandering his own money and his wife’s, committed suicide, and yet some of the New York clergymen who are so active in denouncing the small gambling houses have not a word to say against the New York Stock Exchange which slays its tens of thousands where the small gambling houses slay their thousands.—The Commoner.

The spirit of Populism has reasserted itself and taken the Sunflower State by storm.

The shots fired by the Kansas Legislature, forced from it by a determined demand of the people, at the trusts and monopolies have been heard around the world. They sounded the death-knell of plutocracy in America.

Aimed at the Standard Oil octopus, these shots hit every political and commercial scoundrel in the United States. The special privileged class have been dealt a blow which staggers their fabric from centre to circumference.

This is the beginning of the end of corrupt government. The people who do the labor and produce the wealth of the world will be deceived and plundered no longer. The revolution is on and it can’t be checked.—The Dalton (Ga.) Herald.