The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-08-23
NYE ADVISES A MAcoN1TF WHO
WROTE TO HIM ABOUT EN-
TERING POLITICS.

other Valuable Details Con
corning the Way an Editor
Should be Treated.
Copyright, 1892, by Edger W. Nye.7
BUCK SHOALS, N. G..
The following letter from Georgia
seems to require the call loudly for q
public reply, let the chips fall where
they may.
MI. Smith is only one of a large class
each member of which would be glad
to have some of the questions con.
tanned in this letter settled at once and
forever.
After this week they will be regarded
as settled:
MACON, Ca, July 81.
My DEAR Mr.. NYE.-You will ex-
cuse me If L encroach on your valuable
time long enough to gain some in
formation about a matter I'VE which
l am put to considerable thought.
am at present residing in a small villa
near Macon, Ga, where I have been
raised all of my life. Nv neighborg
have hOnored me on several occasions
by electing me to positions on the
school board and such. Some of them
have gone so far as to mention my
name in connection with higher honors.
So far l have managed to be non COM
INITIAL on all subjects, rather waiting
a unanimous call from the people.
Recent developments almost convince
me that | am pursuing the wrong
course If l hope for success, and this
Is the subject of which l would speak.
The campaign is drawing near to
hand and some candidates have already
been announced. As yet I see no i'm
mediate hope of success unless do like
wise. My nature is very sensitive and
| don't think I could stand defeat since
figuring so prominently for so long a
time in my district. l have exhausted
my brains in trying to devise some
means by which l can create excite
ment and catch the people by storm.
1t is impossible to find a platform
that is not already filled, and l { don't
like to play second fiddle to any mans
lean, The questions l would ask are
these:
Do you think it is the wise policy to
substitute the press9 / speak to you in
all confidence, and know you will treat
my questions as such. This I think l
can do, but not without figuring against
my general Discrimination to do so.
The other day, as I was on the train
to Macon the editor and proprietor of
our only weekly paper was on the train
too. He approached me, and l want
you to remember that fact. He told
me that his wife was very unhealthy,
and that he had about made up his
mind to change his residence. He de-
sired me to be considered as his conf
dant In this matter before going fur
ther. There was a position open to
him on of the metropolitan dailies.
l believe he said, at a handsome salary.
This, in connection with his wife'S
health, made the matter all the more
serious. But he could not entertain
the idea of parting with such friends
and such a paying business without
great concern.
I thought it was my chance. Now, /
have quite a snug little sunday S., 900
and can raise more on some property
my wife owns. Do you really think l
would be right in buying his paper9 I
have never been a particular admirer
of the paper, but that is because they
never gave me any notice. He will
sell, and after thinking the thing over
I was given this inventory on a piece
of paper. You can better tell whether
the price he asks-$3,7 89-is all right:
One Washington hand press, 1 NAL
let, 1 shooting stick, one box quoins,
100 pounds long primer, 3 fonts job
type, 1 case head letter type, 2 stands,
6 type coses, 2 pair chases and column
ruler, 1 table, 1 bucket, one wash pan,
1 case potash.
Besides he said he was advertising a
piano, and nest year he would get it.
Two machines were due him on adver-
Using and a clothes wringer and pat
ented churn. He mentioned lots about
the good will of the paper, and said
the legal notices were great.
1 will not longer take up your valu-
able time, but hope soon to know your
honest advice as to whether it will be
to my interest to buy this paper not.
I am DESTROYS Of having an organ.
Yours truly,
J. P. SMITH.
There could be no wiser thing done,
Mr.. Smith, I opine, than to do just
what you have done, VIZ to come for
information where is made a speciality
of.
You will do we'll not to wait too long
for a unanimous call from the people.
You can see how it has worked in my
case. 1 have been patient and pure in
a political sense-pure as the baking
powder whose name would have been
put in if check had been received in
time-and yet although, or although
yet, I should say perhaps, notwith-
standing the fact that I have repeatedly
given the public to understand that my
health was good enough to withstand
the strain of a canvass, convention
after convention has gone by and my
roroo hoe not vet hnen presented.