Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-09-23
To Suppress Free Thought.


The iue italian hand of the money
power of the country is again mani
fest in the suspension of the Arena,
the magazine of leading thought in
America. Once before in the removal
of B. o. Flower from its editorial con-
troll the same influences sought to
mold it to an instrument for the pro-
mitigation of doctrines inimical to
the interests of the people, who were
its patrons. The storm of protest and
of refusal to patronize it, caused the
Management to employ DIR. John
Clark Ridpath to take its editorial
charge. Under his management, be-
ing one of the deep thinkers on eco
nomic questions, and a man in full
sympathy with the masses in their
struggle for right, justice and human
liberty, the Arena had become one
of the powerful factors in shaping
public opinion and in bringing the
great principles of genuine democra-
cy prominently before the country.
Its suspension at this time is without
explanation from the Management,
but is another success OF the money
power in it's wide spread purpose tc
suppress free thought, and to prevent
the expression of public opinion ex
cept though it's subsidized press. The
following circular from DR.. Ridpath
which we take the liberty to publish
that the reading public may under
stand and know the true situation
Editorial Rooms of the Arena,
Copley Square, Boston, Aug. 30, 1898.
PERSONAL AND EXPLANATORY.
To the Patrons and Supporters o.
The Arena:
DEAR FRIENDS: After the Septem.
Der number of the Arena had beer
printed l received notification from
the Management that the magazine
would be suspended. had no reason
to apprehend such a catastrophe
The fact that our number for Septem
Der was already in print preoluded
me from the opportunity of making a
proper announcement to the public
l am thus compelled by means of a
private note to inform my friends and
correspondents of what has occurred
l very greatly regret the suspension
of The Arena. I have tried to main
tain it as the organ of free public
opinion and of genuine Democracy il
America.
Fortunately the suspension is &C
companied with no discreditable con.
ditions. The Arena Company does
not owe cent; it is not complicated
or embarrassed in any way. The
Company is perfectly solvent. Oul
subscription list is larger than at any
time since l assumed editorial con
troll.
am informed that the money bal
ances due in equity for all unexpire6
subscriptions will be Immediately re
funded to our subscribers. I take
leave of our patrons and friends witt
the deepest regret.
JOHN CLARK R1DPATH,
Copley Square, Boston, Mass.
Western address, Greencastle, Ind
The intelligent reader after reading
DR.. Ridpath's circular can form hi
own conclusion as to the. influence
that caused it's suspension. AS on,
who has been a patron of the Arena
from it's first publication to the pres
ent, we ask that DIR. Ridpath be en-
couraged to take up the work o
publishing and editing the Arena
under that or some other title, ant
that Its friends rally to the supper
of the magazine. making it es in tn,
past the leading gazine in til
reform thought Of the age. Corporal,
greed, represented by the banks, tn,
railroads and the Telegraph, will
their control of intelligence, trans
portation and money, could vel
afford to pay the Management any
sum it might demand to be rid of the
Arena and its sledge hammer blow,
in behalf of justice and the rights o.
man.
Republicans of New York base theil