Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-12-30
DR.. wArsos AND THE REPORTERS.

When Brother Watson challenged the
press to investigate Mrs. Miller seances,
we supposed that any reasonable tests
proposed would be gladly acceded to.
But somehow the old programme is car
ried out night after night and the report
ers are required to stand of at a distance
and accept DR.. Watson's Interpretation
Of what is presented in the very dim
light behind the wire fence. Believing
the Doctor to be serious in this matter,
and knowing him to be a man of strong
intellectually, we naturally looked for
powerful proofs at his hands. We intend
to give him the fullest opportunity to
convince a skeptical mind, but like q
doubling Thomas of old we must not only
see in the dark but handle these materi-
allied forms before giving in to such
astounding pretensions. Thus far the
Doctor has monopolized the privileges
Of the dark cabinet, 1t is to be hoped
for the cause of truth &nd for the sake
Of many nervous, credulous and weak
minded people that satisfactory tests will
be granted. We shall continue to investi-
gate if permitted, going at it in a bust
ness,ike manner, as we would trace up
anything of interest to the public. Doc
tor Watson boldly afirms that the spirits
Of persons long since dead reappear in
bodily form under certain favorable con-
ditions, and that Tor the time they have
warmth, circulation Of the blood, pulsa-
ton and the full and free exercise of the
FIVE physical senses. The LEDGER COM
bats the idea and proposes to prove that
it is a delusion, a shep sud afraud prac-
ticed upon the Doctof. For his sake we
would dispel a false illusion which has
wrecked many noble minds, broken up
families, unsettled religious faith and
done incalculable harm without ever re-
forming a single person or saving a soul
The only bene6cisries are those who
gather in the dollars of curious or credu.
lous crowds. 1t was rather amusing to
read in Doctor Watson's card to the LED.
GER yesterday that he objected to our re-
porter having an opinion. BE seems to
take reporters for mere machines, totake
notes and write up reports according to
dictation. Whenever he strikes q LEDGER
a be wakes up the wrong passenger.
The constant contact Of q reporter with
the world gives him q keen insight into
human nature in all its phases, and his
opinions upon the practical questions Of
the day and Of everyday life are often
more accurate than those coming from
the most learned scholars and profes-
SIGNAL men. Their habits Of pains.tak-
ing investigation sharpen their faculties
until usually they are more than an in.
tellectps! ratch for their more scholarly
brethren Of the cloth, the bar and the
scalpel. The work accomplished by the
reporters in the last few days shows that
they have opinions and can draw logical
conclusions with unorring accuracy.
The people are opening their eyes to an
imposition long practiced on Doctor
Watson and a gullible public. The APP
peal, we are sorry to see, after doing such
excellent service, has closed a blockade
on the spiritual business, which throws
all the work on the LEDGER. Now il
Doctor Watson, who is master Of cere
monies at the mysterious gateway which
separates the material from the invisible,
does not blockade our reporters who de.
mand simple but practical tests, we shall
continue TO strive to lead the Doctor
from darkness to light.