The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-09-30
Compiled by John Wanamaker and
for Sale to Postmasters
and Others.
Another One OF the Postmaster
Generals Shameless Attempts
to Advertise Himself
A Scheme Of wholesale Corruption by
Now York Republicans brought to
Light by n Circular Letter.


Gent Harrison's postmaster general, con-
osiyed for the purpose of taking advantage
~ the presence in Washington Of the Grand
Army, is quite in line with his shameless
attempS to advertise his bargain counter
among the delegates to the Pan American
conference whom they we're making tour
OF the country as the guests Of this govern
ment.
Mr.. Wanamaker's agents have put into
the hands of evory Grand Army veteran
whom shey have been able to reach an ad.
vertising prospectus of book of hymns
com piled by Mr.. Wanamaker himself and,
of course, sold for the joint benefit Of the
postmaster general and his publisher. The
Song Gems, by Hon. John Wanamaker,' y
and ia issued in connection with a series OF
Sunday school books entitled. "Iittle Blos-
SONS in the Garden Of Home" pretty
Pictures for Our Littis Pets" 'Littio Lads
and Lasses," Perfect Jewels, Literature oi
Life, Love and Religion" &c.
Mr. Wanamaker's publisher also ndver-
tises "a large line of Bibles and hymn.
books" published in half dozen Ian
gnages.
The attention of the Grand Army is called
by Mr. Wanamaker's printer TO a work en-.
titled: "Knapsack and Rifle; or, War aa
Seen from the Ranks" which is declared to
be full and varied picture of army life in
all its phases. including complete ohron-
ology of the late war and digest of the
pension laws of the United States.
These prospectuses were distributed to
the veterans by men and boys standing on
the corners of the principal streets. The
name, John Wanamaker," appears on
every rage of the advertisement in capital
letters, and has undoubtedly served its pur-
pose to draw customers for the postm aster-
generals "Album of Sacred Song"
This s all disgraceful enough. but the
real scandal is yet to be told. From the
manner in which these advertisements
have been prepared it is evident that their
distribution in their present form to veter-
ans il an afterthouRht. They were pre-
pared as bait to catch the postmasters who
are appointed by Mr.. Wenamaker to han
die the peoples mails. They are now being
distributed in the very envelopes in
tended for their transmission 30 the
postmastets. The printing on the outside
of these envelopes makes the whole scheme
plain. This legend appears on each envel-
ope III large type:
Living Hymns, compiled by Hon. John
Wanamaker, postmaster general, assisted
by John II. Sweeney, Mus. Doc.
Part of the address is also printed and is
as follows: ITO the Postmaster-.''
With each batch of advertisements sent
to the postmaster is inclosed the following
letter, printed in imitation of typewriting:
Dear Postmaster: We take pleasure in
announcing the appearance of Living
Hymns" work compiled by Hon. John
Wanamaker, assisted by John II. Sweeney,
Mus. Doc, Americas sweetest singer and
song writer.
This is considered one of the greatest
compilation of modern times, admirable in
it character and elegant in general appear
ance. 1t ls warmly received wherever in
troduced and highly endorsed by the lead
ers of men in every sphere of life. Minis
ters of every denomination heartily recon-
of the best sacred songs published and will
doubtless prove to be the most widely DIR
culated and thoroughly enioyed in the home
circle of any book published.
Believing that every postmaster in the
country should take personal interest," in
its introduction and that many will take an
agency for it in their own town or town
ship, We offer You an agency for your sec
tion. Do you want it? If you cannot act
as agent for "Living Hymns'' please write
on the inclosed blank the names and post
Office addresses of any book or bible agents
you know of In any patt of the county
and state if you can. what book they are
now selling: also please give the names and
addresses of agents who have been success
full in the sale of other articles, stating
what they have sold.
For your kindness we will, as soon as one
of the agents you name or secure for us
orders 1926 worth of books, send you a COPY
of Living Hsmns' free Of charge. 1t ia
not an unusual thing for agents to sell 500
to 500 in books in a week regardless of its
merit; hence with book of such unusual
p ospects you will not have TO wait long for
your free copy.
Hoping that you will favor us with your
personal interest, either by acting as our
agent for "Iiving HYMNS" or assist us in
securing representative in your section,
We are yours very truly,
John j. HOOP.
OF course manv postmasters who receive
these advertisements will conclude that tho
shortest way to MIR. Wanamaker's favor is
to purchase this book. The advertising lit
rature is so cunninglv p-el arsd that every
postmaster who receives it will observe,
first, that the advertised work is compiled
by "Hon. John Wanamaker," and second,
that it is forwarded IN printed envelopes,
similar to those used for sending out de-
paitment circulars to third and fourth
GLASS postmastsfs. The scheme is likely to
work in u large number of cases, and to
rebound greatly to the advantage of those
who pocket the proceeds of Mr.. Wana-
makers book.
WHOLESALE CORRUPTION.