The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-10
MISSION TO THE PLUTOCRATs.
A socIalistic Book Store Opened on Broad
Street Cellar Stairway.

Street Cellar stairway.
On the steps leading TO I. temporarily unoc-
cupied cellar in Broad street an undersized young
man displays a number OF more OF less shop.
worn books and pamphlets. Rough cardboard
placards announce that "All cratic and
anticratc literature is for sale there, and another
sign says that can buy all sociaIistc,
anarchisic and single tax publications there
This young man is q brand new reformer. and
he has coined word 10 describe himself
He appears to be about 81 years OF age, though
he says he has reached his twenty sixth birth
day. His voice is sharp and penetrating and his
accent betrays the foreigner.
MY aim in life is 10 propagate my ideas, which
know are correct and absolutely just" said he
and il is my earnest desire 10 educate the people
up 10 my standard Of intelligence Down hero
in the very heart OF the piutocrats expect
10 make quite some Roadway, and l am glad
70 see that many a man buys radical books and
pamphlets from me who never knew that some
people differ fundamentally from him."
And then he began TO euogize certain books
dealing with sociology anarchy and free land.
maintaining all the time that no intelligent
man could refute the arguments contained therein.
What is an anticrat?" the reporter asked
"Wel, you know what democrat is, or what
we understand under the terms OF autocrat aris-
tocrat, putocrat, They all contain the Greek
word "crat." which means ruler Now anticrat
l apply To one who is against all ruiera The
term means Just what il expresses one opposed
to all sort OF rulers, be they religious economic,
social OF political. That's clear, Ia 1t not?"
The reporter said that he understood this
definition to apply TO the theory Of anarchisn,
and that he could not see any essential difference
between an antcrat and an anarchist
"Won, you are right" said the young
mi In tain
similar views But I have good reasons
70 object 10 being called an anarchist There arc
so many different kinds OF anarchists that il
would take my whole lifetime 70 explain what sort
OF an anarchist am. Then again, my economic
views differ as much from those Of the anarchists
as they do from the most rigid protectionist and.
finally, the term Of anarchist has become a re-
proaoh- I could find no place OF sociological
thought which would suit me, 40 invented the
term anticrat"
Al this point the reporter noticed stack Of paper
novels among the books, and the young reformer
hnstened TO plain that he did not sell them from
choice but from necessity. Il would not sell any
thing but radical works said he but have TO
live There is very little demand for such books
People will not read that which is most beneficial
to them, and am compelled 70 cater 10 their pro
ferences in some degree But never recommend
them anything which do not honestly believe
will do them good Stl! If they ask for novels
soil them. for oven reformers must eat"
Mr.. Horr that Is the name Of the young man
launched into an exhaustive and elaborate dis
sertaton upon the posi- bties of his theories then
suddenly he checked himself and said: IF you are
really Interested TO learn important truths, come
up any Wednesday OF Saturday night 10 Madison
avenue. There in front Of Dr. Parkhurst's Church
you can hear mo explain my position thoroughly
and in such n " ma IN ntal
become con WINGED"
On the two nights named Mr. Horr speaks. de
bates and answers questions with untring zeal and
energy from O'Clock until past midnight
This platform Ia an old diaptated chair and even !
standing upon IL his head is only on the level of
man 8 feet 10 inches tall. What he lacksin height
no makes up in voice and energy He talks UNI
lringiy about politically and economically free |
and. the accumulation of interest the multipli- |
cation OF cost and value Of machinery, the pro. |
1uctive capacity OF man and beast: he quotes |
statistics, economic questions, definitions and |
faster than monograph, but as he |
himself says; These things arc very complicated,
Ind 1t takes serious study 10 understand them"
He usually leaves off with the remark "If you can
lot comprehend me IL Is because your intellect is
ar inferior 10 mine; il takes brains TO sec these
Important truths"
To say that his audiences made up largely
rom the idlers in the adjacent park. take him Sc
iouAly, would be far from the truth They jeer
It him. they make sneering remarks, and they
'Nasperate him 70 such an extent that he threat
med once To call on the police To dispense the crowd
You're good one, reioincd one Of his hearers
Did you not say a few minutes ago that you do
lot believe in police, soldiers or state and now
'ou want the police to defend you from the practical
workings OF your theory"
With similar pleasantries the time passes and |
arguments are put forth with such CELEBRITY and
that none but sociologist could fol-
ow them.