The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1901-11-26
SURPRISING Socialist Literature.

The third assistant postmaster general
j. going out after" the Socialist papers
OF the country with a vengence and en-
ieavoring to suppress them, probably
thinking thereby to also suppress the
rapid growth of Socialist sentiment. We
predict, however, that his efforts will
tail to check the rapidly rising tide OF
Socialism, which will ere long overthrow
the present industrial system and insti-
tute new and better order of society,
If, indeed, such actions as his on the
part of those high in authority do not
materially aid the cause OF Socialism.
Mr.. Madden's method of suppress
sion is rather unique and bears the
stamp of originality at least, differ
ing, somewhat, from the methods OF the
monarchies OF Europe, when imprison-
ment and even Punishment have been
the rule in the suppression of Socialism.
Mr.. Madden does the suppression act by
denying the use of the mails to Socialist
papers, by applying prohibitory postal
rates. His excuse for denying second
class rates to socialist papers are rather
queer also. He does not claim that it is
because they are Socialist papers, or
that they should not circulate as such !;
but, in one case, that OF the Challenge,
edited by Mr. Wiltshire of New York,
his excuse is that it advertised Wilshire's
ideas" too much, and that paper
used principally for advertising purposes
is not entitled to second class postal
rates. However, Mr.. Wiltshire wouldn't
be suppressed he simply changed his
paper from weekly to monthly pub
lication, paid the rates demanded by
the autocratic postmaster general, and
continues to do business at the old stand.
Another case is that of the Appeal to
Reason, Socialist paper published at
Girard, Kansas, which has been denied
the. second class privilege, con the
ground that the publication is not in
possession OF a legitimate list of sub
-cribers as defined by section PSI p L.
and r., amended.
The section referred to above reads as
follows: "Sec. 2Sl Subscription Price
and List Requisite Postmasters must
require satisfactory evidence that publ
cation offered Tor mailing at the pound
rate have legimate list OF subscribers,
~ each Of whom, or for each OF whom,
with his consent, expressed or implied,
payment Of the subscription price has
been made or agreed to be made"
A list which is not legitimate according
% this section, is one for which the sub
Scribers have not paid, or for whom the
subscription price has not been paid
In other words, the grounds on which
the department would cancel the Appeals
entry as second class matter, is that its
list is not paid one, but is largely be-
iug distributed free.
The absurdity OF such an assumption
=, seen when it is known that the regular
weekly edition OF the paper exceeds
10000 copies al a subscription price of
only - cents per year, and that it
carries less than one column OF advertis-
ing matter. Any one with the smallest
amount OF reasoning power knows that
10 paper could live long under such con-
ditions without paid subscription list
Not only that, but plainly displayed on
the front page OF every issue OF the paper
&. this notice, "The Appeal is never sent
az credit if you receive it, it is paid for
nobody owes cent on subscription "
Therefore, it will be seen that every
subscription on the Appeals list is paid
for in advance; and every reader taking
the paper from the postoftice is, under
the law, bonifide subscriber. Yet not.
"ithstandng all this, Mr.. Madden sees
MT to thus arbitrarily declare that the