Lucian L. Knight, Los Angeles, Cal.

I cannot silence without gratifying the impulse which prompts me to write you at once after reading what you have to say about that superlative scoundrel, Mann. As a friend who holds you in loyal and affectionate admiration, I resent with all my heart the treatment which you have received at the hands of one who is man in name only and who in nature is half jackal and half hyena. I am aware how true it is that the most insignificant of insects may vex even the noble lion. Mann may be a millionaire, but I warrant his shillings are dirty. How miserably poor the wretch is when the only assets he has in the world are the millions which lie in the bank!

I know how little things have annoyed me at times and I know how much I have appreciated an impulsive word of sympathy, even from “the least of these.”

I am sorry I could not get the extracts you were to send me in time for Vol. I of the Reminiscences which will be ready for publication within the next few weeks; but I hope to get them in time for Vol. II. The work will require two volumes. I have met with so much encouragement that I am warranted in beginning at once upon Vol. II. Disappointed in other cherished plans and prospects, I am now putting my life’s ambition into this work which I trust to be able to make of literary and historic value to Georgia.

An Anonymous Slander Rebuked.

W. H. Eddy, Los Angeles, Cal.

Can you explain what quality there is in human nature, that prompts some specimens of the race to the doing of things which are admirably adapted to the hindrance of all that they profess to be in earnest support of? Now, for instance: in The Appeal to Reason of October 27th, is an unsigned article headed, “Populism and the Pap.” Being unsigned would indicate that it came from the pen of J. A. Wayland, or that of F. D. Warren, the present Managing Editor. Now, both of these men have been earnest workers for several years, or at least for what they conceive to be the cause of socialism. It would seem as though, when two men are associated in a work which each of them has advocated and written signed articles in favor of, lauding it as a movement opposed to dishonesty, deceit and all the baser tendencies of the depraved mind, that when he takes a notion to stultify himself, descend to the lowest practices of the gutter blackguard, he would have consideration enough for his associate to sign his name, so that decent people who may be so unfortunate as to peruse it, and such of the patrons of the paper as have both decency and brains enough to resent it, might not blame the innocent party inadvertently.

If socialism is anything, or is to be anything in human history which is to make for the betterment of humanity, then it must rest upon the fundamental principles of honesty, justice and truth. All those who would not be cursed by its adoption to-morrow, by reason of their lack of development and their consequent lack of capacity to appreciate its meaning and the obligations inherent in it, assert that brotherly love, the golden rule, and the Sermon on the Mount, are also corner-stones in the foundation of its most noble structure.

But let us leave the latter out of consideration for the present. It is not conceivable that there can be dug up in the office of the Appeal one individual so low in the scale of human development as not to concede honor, truth and justice as being the beginning, the very A B C of socialism. What must we think, then, of the estimate that the one who penned the abominable article referred to, places upon the intelligence of his readers, to say nothing of the hundreds who have drawn from the little stock of their earnings which are really needed for the comfort of themselves and family, to assist this poor degenerate in distributing his venom and flaunting his idiocy in the faces of a nation of intelligent people, to the disheartenment of thousands of advocates of socialism, and the great glee of those who aver that the animus of socialism and of all socialists is such as “Breathes the hot breath of brutal hate, and riots as it runs” through the two columns of the “Appeal?” To those who have not been unfortunate enough to read it, suffice it to say that it is a wholly uncalled for, unsocialistic, and, from every point of view, rascally, assault upon Hon. Thomas E. Watson, and to make it, if possible, more pusillanimous, it is given publicity just at a time when, on account of Mr. Watson’s having been grievously misused by his former business associates in the Watson’s Magazine enterprise, Mr. Watson is deserving of the sympathy of every person who possesses a spark of decency. It is cowardly in the extreme to strike a person when he is down or crippled.

Mr. Watson’s life history is now an open book to anyone, not an absolute ignoramus, in this broad country. He has his prejudices. He has his own political ideas, which, at the test of the ballot box, have been shown to be largely in the minority, but, to his honor be it said, the fact that they were not the winning card, has never caused him for one moment to falter in devoting time, money and energy in their advocacy, a fact which of itself would give the lie to the baseless, senseless and hypocritical charge of treachery and double dealing, which, by their own statements, finds 250,000 duplications in this issue of the Appeal.

It is doing too much honor to quote from it, but the readers of progress will excuse the presentation of some short samples. “Tom appears to have a grudge against whatever tends toward progress.” Think of that in reference to the father of the rural free delivery postal system which carries tens of thousands of copies of this very diatribe of lies to the farmers of the country, in whose interest Watson succeeded in having this system established, as the Congressional Record will bear witness. Again, “But he has been repudiated by the respectable democratic press of his state—as witness the merciless exposure of his methods by the Atlanta Constitution and the Macon Telegraph!” Respectable! The Atlanta Constitution and the Macon Telegraph! Socialists of intelligence, what have you to say of the creature so lost to decency as to, in the columns of the leading socialist weekly paper of America, if not of the world, so far as circulation goes, laud the Atlanta Constitution and the Macon Telegraph, notoriously the most mercenary and most thoroughly corporation-serving papers of the entire South, and for no other reason—for he can plead no other—than because they are fighting Tom Watson, who happens to be under the ban of his displeasure?

And why are the ultra corporation journals fighting Tom Watson? Because honest Tom Watson is sacrificing his private interests in a determined effort to defeat the machinations of the Walter Parkers, the Herrins and the Abe Ruefs of his beloved state.

Again: “That Watson received the price for his perfidy is not for a moment to be doubted.” Whoever penned those lines either knew that he was penning a most villainous lie or he is too ignorant to be worthy of the contempt of a chimpanzee. There isn’t a person with intelligence enough to write connectedly on truth, or any part of the scurrilous rot this creature did, but knows perfectly well that if Tom Watson had been corruptible, he could have received ten times more to have sold himself to the very forces this creature is supposed to be fighting, than it has ever been claimed he did get. That is just as true of Tom Watson as it is of ’Gene V. Debs. Everyone, including the writer of that malicious screed, knows that they both could be rolling luxuriously in wealth if they had but followed the course of these very papers which he is pleased to declare “respectable.”

But the last quotation is manly as compared with this one: “It is said that he has been up for sale before, and was knocked down to the highest bidder,” etc., “It is said!” The language of the conscienceless gossip, the method of the footpad, with the sand-bag, or the gas-pipe who strikes you out of the dark. Again: “John M. Barnes, a man for whose veracity many stand ready to vouch, etc.” Very good, Mr. No-name. Mr. Barnes is good enough authority to use in an effort to injure your brother man, Mr. Thos. Watson. Would you accept Mr. John M. Barnes’ statement as to the offices you, your associates and the Appeal to Reason are performing in America, and would you abide by and endorse them in your own case? Never! And that very fact impeaches your honesty in quoting, as against Tom Watson, the slanders of corporation hirelings and political hacks, whom you know are fighting him for what there is in it. No! no! When you go straining a point, you always prove too much.

Be something like a man, and bid him God speed in his task of awakening the people to their dangers, even if he does leave them short of being full-fledged socialists.

Tom Watson’s opinions are not in all respects mine. In fact, there are many points on which we do not agree. But if I have outgrown the tenets of Populism, and he has not, or if he sees so many falling away from the mere party organization of populism as to be heart-sore and discouraged, and chooses to advocate the same principles under the name of Jeffersonian Democracy, he is still entitled to the respect of friend and foe alike, until he sacrifices principle to greed or puerile hatred.

Wants to Follow Watson’s Pen.

L. A. Benson, Clay Center, Kan.

I write to inquire as to the truth or falsity of the rumor that you have severed your connection with the Magazine which bears your name. I have been a voting Prohibitionist since 1885. I bought the first issue of “Tom Watson’s” and read it, and have hungered for its appearance ever since. I have read every line of Editorial and other matter which came from your pen. I was beginning to think myself so much of a Populist that I could “keep step.” From 1894 until 1901 I lived in Philadelphia, Pa., and judging the Populists from the caricatures appearing in Eastern papers I felt surprised to find that I have all along possessed just such views as constitute the essence of Populism. I find myself unwilling to give up the opportunity to follow your pen. I will regard it as a matter of genuine kindness to me if you will put me in connection with the Magazine which takes your copy and spreads it among your many disciples and admirers. I regard the work which you are doing as fundamental, and I am aware that you, like all leaders in reforms which touch the money-king, will suffer. If it be in the power of “Old Plute” to crucify you, he will not be too tender. He will not be lacking in heartless cruelty. But while you are bidding high for the hate and vengeance of “Old Plute” you are winning the glorious title of “friend” and “brother” to those who are crushed ’neath the heel of this heartless, greedy foe. To oppose him and to stand the loving helper of men, is to trace the footsteps of the Man of Galilee, up a modern Calvary. In plain language, it is the essence of pure and undefiled religion. Here’s my hand, brother, and may God bless and prosper you.

Hedging on Human Life.

N. B. McDowell, Ronceverte, W. Va.

In reply to your question in Watson’s Magazine of August: “Is it true that railroad corporations insure the lives of the railroad mail clerks?” I cannot speak for the railroad corporations, but it was developed in court here that the St. Lawrence Broom & Manufacturing Co., the largest corporation in this section, has the lives of its employes insured for its benefit. This company employs a large number of men and boys and has never made any provisions for their protection against the inclemency of the weather, or the many dangers of machinery that might be averted.

I was an employe of this company for fifteen years and have seen a number of men and boys mangled and maimed for life, but it was not known until quite recently that the corporation received insurance for every employe that got crippled. A boy got his hand cut off and sued the company for damages and it was clearly proven that the employes were insured for the benefit of the company.

Must Have the “Jeffersonian.”

D. H. Chamberlain, Harriston, Miss.

A few days ago I saw in the Memphis Commercial-Appeal that you had severed your connection with Watson’s Magazine. I am a subscriber and have taken the Magazine solely on account of your Editorials, which I regard as the finest and most forceful I ever read in any Magazine. My subscription is about run out and if you are no longer connected with the publication I do not care to renew. This is my reason for making this inquiry, and I will be glad to hear the report is untrue. If it is correct let me know if it will be your purpose to edit a similar periodical. In that event you can count on me as a subscriber, even if the subscription price should be increased to $5.00 per annum.

I think you are doing a great and necessary work in your attempts to arouse the people to the dangers that now menace the liberties of this unhappy land, “to hastening ills a prey.”

There is one point on which I am constrained to criticise you and that is your ill-advised attacks on W. J. Bryan, which is something I am utterly unable to understand.

Why do you do this when you both stand for the same things? It seems to me unfortunate, to say the least, that soldiers of the hosts of Reform should turn their artillery upon each other when so much ammunition is needed to fight the cohorts of Plutocracy, and in this connection nothing will ever be accomplished in the way of bringing this Government again into the possession of the people if any such suicidal policy is pursued. The reformers must get together if this Republic is to be preserved, if it is not even now too late to save it. Of this I am certain: we have no time left us for internal dissensions, and I hope that so splendid a soldier of the common good as yourself, will, in the future, refrain from stirring up discord in the ranks of Reform, and reserve your ammunition entirely for our enemies.

As to Gins.

R. W. Barkley, New York City. November 12, 1906.

I note that you are proposed as President of the Cotton Association. I have read your Magazine from the first number until Mann got it, and I know your desire to benefit the South. I control the patent rights on a cotton gin which works on a new principle and which leaves the cotton in natural lengths, thereby enhancing the price to the planter by one to five cents per pound. The gin can be run by hand, or by power, and a few farmers can own one in common and thereby earn money by ginning their own cotton. The gin consists of “mechanism for gradually opening and loosening the cotton fibres while still attached to the seeds, with means for thereafter removing the seeds.” Just take a little cotton and gradually pull the fibres apart, without, however, separating them from the seed, until you have a large puff ball and then see how easily they come off at the seed. Well, that is what this machine does. No “gin cut” cotton in it. Seed practically unhurt, also. Am looking for money wherewith to build a large machine, (the inventor made the working model by hand himself); it does the work fairly well, but it is getting to be ram-shackle for demonstration purposes, and then for capital wherewith to work the gin commercially. Such a gin ought to interest you and also the Cotton Association.

Editor’s Note.—Having just been run through one new and improved gin—known as Town Topics—and having been badly “gin cut” myself, have but slight inclination for new inventions of the gin variety.

Getting Used to It.

S. R. Sikes, Ocilla, Georgia.

I have your card of November 10th, advising me of your withdrawal from Watson’s Magazine, and of your intention of publishing in the near future Watson’s Jeffersonian. I desire to express my sympathy for you in your recent trouble with the New York publication, and to assure you of my friendship and best wishes for you in your new enterprise, “The Jeffersonian.”

I feel sure that you have been treated very unfairly by those New York people, and I feel a spirit of resentment for you, and I am to-day writing them to discontinue mailing Watson’s Magazine to me, and to erase my name from their list of subscribers. (Copy of letter enclosed.)

I would feel worse for you over this transaction than I do if it were not for the fact you have been unfairly treated and falsely accused so many times during the last ten or fifteen years, until I suppose you have to some extent become toughened so that you can stand such treatment better than the average man, and I see very plainly now, and have seen for quite a while past, that the current of public sentiment is rapidly drifting your way. I desire to offer you all the encouragement I possibly can in the noble work you are doing—educating the common people of the country on the public issues that are now facing the American people, and in this connection I will state to you that I have been with you, so far as my ability extends, in this battle, and on some occasions have been severely criticised for taking your part and standing by the principles of original democracy in the days when the Democratic Party was seeking to destroy the principles upon which our government was founded. Of course I will subscribe for the Jeffersonian. I want the first copy that is printed and each succeeding issue. Mail me a few sample copies, and I think I can induce some others to subscribe.

(Copy.)

November 14, 1906.

Editor Watson’s Magazine, New York.

Dear Sir:—After reading and carefully considering the recent differences between you and the Honorable Thos. E. Watson, I wish to say to you that I think Mr. Watson has been treated very unfairly. I am a great admirer of Mr. Watson and his writings, and this led me to subscribe to the Magazine in its beginning. I have been highly pleased with it, and especially so with Mr. Watson’s editorials, but as he has been forced to sever his connection with the Magazine, and as his writings were the principle things which induced me to subscribe to the Magazine, I write to request that you erase my name from your list of subscribers. If I remember correctly, my subscription is paid up to March 1st, 1907, but under the circumstances I do not wish another copy mailed to my address.

Very respectfully,
S. R. Sikes.

Watson Was Its Strength.

V. L. Anthony, Jr., Hurtsboro, Ala.

I subscribed for Watson’s Magazine on account of your connection with it. Now, as you are no longer with it, I wish your new Magazine when you start it.

“The Gang” Insults the Readers.

D. J. Henderson, Sr., Ocilla, Ga.

When the stockholders of the Watson’s Magazine attempted to restrict you as Editor and Manager, causing you to sever your connection with it, they struck, what I call, a death blow to the Magazine. All of its readers who believe in pure Jeffersonian Democracy felt the insult as keenly as you. I enclose you copy of a letter I sent last week to DeFrance, ordering mine discontinued. I am a subscriber to the Weekly Jeffersonian and will be to the Magazine you contemplate starting in Atlanta as soon as the first issue is out.

The editor of the Ocilla Star, whom I asked you some time back to exchange your Magazine with, has, since that time, “passed over the River to rest in the shade.” The paper will be continued by his two young sons, who, I know, if not doing so, will be pleased to exchange with The Jeffersonian.

May the blessings of Heaven be upon you and yours.

(Copy.)

Ocilla, Ga., Oct. 24, 1906.

Mr. C. Q. DeFrance, New York City.

Dear Sir:—Please strike my name from the list of subscribers to the Watson Magazine. I learn the stockholders endeavored to place restrictions on Mr. Watson as Editor and Manager, and he, for that reason, severed his connection with it. Thank God for that. I am glad to know he had so much manhood about him. Tom Watson is one among the greatest statesmen the United States has. It is a source of satisfaction to know that he will neither speak nor write with a corporation muzzle on. When the stockholders attempted to restrict Mr. Watson in his Editorials for the Magazine, they didn’t only insult him, but they insulted every reader of it who believes in the pure Jeffersonian principles which Mr. Watson so ably advocates and defends. I would be proud of Tom Watson were he from any other section of the Union. He being a Southern man and a Georgian at that, I am exceedingly proud of him. I fear somebody has been taken upon the Mount and shown the glorious things the railroads will do if they will only fall down and worship them. If no Watson is with the Magazine then no Magazine for me.

Respectfully,
D. J. Henderson, Sr.

“It Would Be a Noble Charity.”

Chas. D. Hunt, Gueydan, La.

Reading with interest your valuable editorials in the October number and the most striking and interesting subject, “It Would be a Noble Charity”—here you have treated a subject in a light that any person could not help from shielding with an honest heart, with a strong desire in mind to spread the cause of charity, but you have almost been selfish with your subject. What of the territory bordering along the Gulf of Mexico? That is, the extreme portion.

Here we have settlers of almost ancient times. They are not altogether uncivilized, but are not able to meet the demands of our educated requirements. Hence are we to still keep them back or are we to give them a helping hand? These people know nothing of education and its help in life, but toil with an earnest heart to maintain merely a scant living and to bring the younger class up in their own path.

I think if the Humane Society would stop and think deeply in regard to the young boys and girls that spend their school days in hard labor out of school there would be something done to protect them and give them a chance for a better future than is now before them.

It would be surprising to anyone who has had the advantages of education and really felt its real value in life to stroll along the prairies and see just how many bright young boys and girls are out of touch with the educated world. Why? Their parents are not able to aid them to secure an education, but are more than willing.

Do you not think much could be done in both mountain and prairie territories?

Burton H. Jeffers, Rose, N. Y.

Having read in the Missouri World that you had ceased writing for Watson’s Magazine, I was greatly surprised. I had supposed that you owned the Magazine, and had taken great pleasure in securing subscriptions for it in this vicinity. Some of those subscriptions have just expired, and the subscribers say they don’t want it again if you are not going to write for it. That would seem to sound the death knell of the now so-called Watson’s Magazine.

When you start your new magazine send me a sample copy, and I will endeavor to give your subscription list a little boost. I would also like a few sample copies of your weekly paper.

You Shall Hear Again.

J. J. Hunt, El Paso, Tex.

Looking forward and hoping to get the November number of your Magazine, I hear, verbally, that you have severed your connection with that periodical, and I don’t care now whether it ever appears again, for what I read in it was what you wrote, little else. I know you quit your association there for good cause and that your work will not end, and believe I shall hear from you again. I dare say two thirds of the readers of Watson’s Magazine, like myself, will care little for it now.

While I’m traveling, please know that I’m still a citizen of good old Georgia, living at 257 South Pryor Street, Atlanta.

Samples of the Replies DeFrance May Expect to Get to Begging Letters.

(Copy.)

Boaz, Ala., Nov. 16, 1906.

C. Q. DeFrance.

Dear Sir:—In this paragraph you say too much to get my help; you say that Mr. Watson’s backers cared nothing for Mr. Watson’s “ideas.” But the money which you hoped to get out of those who do care for Mr. Watson and his “ideas” was the object in view. Had it not been for Mr. Watson and the principles he advocated I would not have been a subscriber. This and the fact that Mr. Watson was forced to resign because of non-payment of his salary and what you say in the fourth paragraph forever settles it with me. When Mr. Watson betrays the people’s cause or trust for any cause I am done, for I would never confide in another man as I have in him, but he will never forsake the people.

Yours truly,
T. B. Mosley.

(Copy.)

Mr. C. Q. DeFrance, Business Manager, New York City, N. Y.

Dear Sir:—I received the November number of the Watson’s Magazine a few days ago, and your circular letter and subscription blanks today, and in reply would say that I am one of those who much prefer the play of Hamlet with the Prince of Denmark left in.

Further comments are unnecessary. My subscription expires February, 1907. Please discontinue same with the November number received.

Yours very truly,
A. A. DeLong.

(Copy.)

Watson’s Magazine, 121 W. 42nd Street, New York, N. Y.

Gentlemen:—You will please discontinue my subscription to Watson’s Magazine.

I subscribed to this periodical in order to read Mr. Watson’s editorials; and, inasmuch as he is no longer identified with this publication, it is useless to send it to me any longer.

Very truly,
Burgess Smith.

Wants the Jeffersonian.

Chas. E. Harris, Alton, Ill.

I was very much surprised on buying Watson’s Magazine for November to find that you were no longer connected with it as editor. Of course I will have no further use for the Magazine as I only bought it in the first place for your writings.

I saw in one of the St. Louis papers that you intended to start another Magazine and call it Watson’s Jeffersonian. Please advise me if this is true and when it will be ready for publication, as I want you to put me down on your subscription list.

I hope to cast my first vote for you and Bryan in 1908.

No Sham for Him.

Benjamin H. Hill, West Point, Ga.

Some time ago I subscribed for your splendid Magazine solely and only to get to read your articles therein and I notice to-day’s number, with one exception, contains nothing from your able pen. Without your articles I would not give ten cents a year for it, in fact don’t want it at any price. I desire to read after you, but don’t want this other trash.

I regret your trouble and hope it will yet prove for your benefit and help.

The Jeffersonian is the Answer.

Chas. Buttlar, Oakland, Cal.

I have been a regular purchaser of your Magazine from its beginning, and it is with the deepest regret that I learn that you have withdrawn from the Magazine. I presume that the enemies of truth have destroyed its publication as they have done heretofore with others.

Will you kindly inform me, also, whether you will start a new Magazine or paper by which we may enjoy the education that you have given us? I wish you success and strength to overcome all opposition.

Hamlet Without the Dane.

H. G. Sumner, Passaic, N. J.

Watson’s Magazine without Watson is of course no longer Watson’s Magazine. I haven’t seen the November number, but it must be like “Hamlet” with Hamlet left out.

I am proud of having been one of the faithful in 1904, when I heard you speak at Jersey City and again in that matchless “old fashioned stump speech” at the Grand Central Palace in New York, where I managed to jam myself through the crowd on the platform and get hold of your hand for a second.

The monthly visits of your Magazine were like those of a dear friend dropping in for an evening to discuss matters which should be of the gravest concern to every true American. I have the numbers all bound in volumes, but now my set is complete much sooner than I had anticipated.

A few minutes ago I took up a copy of The Public, in which I saw a paragraph to the effect that you would soon start a new Magazine. I hope this may be true, and I want to be one of the first subscribers, for I am anxious for the continuation of the “Life of Jackson” and for more of your Editorials.

From a Constant Reader.

Jas. E. Dillon, Otwell, Ind.

Too late I learned the sad story of Watson’s Magazine. I have been a subscriber to it from the first number, and I did not want to miss a number.

I sent a long list of names to it a few days before I found it out, for sample copies. But it has lost its attraction to me and I hope such men as DeFrance and Mann will soon be relegated.

I have enclosed a few names that might subscribe to the new Jeffersonian Magazine.

I hope you will have success in spreading the truth and nothing but the truth.

Wants a “Watson’s” With a Watson in It

H. C. Britt, Sparta, Ga.

I have been informed that you would send to the present subscribers to Watson’s Magazine, if they so desired, your new publication, free of cost, for the time for which they had paid their subscriptions to the Magazine. I am a subscriber to the Magazine, and have been from the date of its very first issue, and my subscription is paid to the corresponding date in 1907.

I took the Magazine because of your connection with it. I would appreciate the opportunity of getting acquainted with your new Magazine.