The independent., 1903-06-11
NEW JERSEY POPUl|ssTEss
4 Minus Quantity In the Incubator of Big
Trusts and Big Mosquitoes. Thinks
National Committeeman
POmer0y

Editor Independent: Your circul..:
letter of May % received. There Is
not any OF the populist party left III
New Jersey; 1t was never very larg-,
but do not believe that a meeting
called at present would bring to-
gether ten men, and there Is no use
trying to revive 1t at present; 1t would
be impossible. The socialist party
has absorbed the radicals and the
democratic party the conservatives o.
the cid repnlist party. and a lew
have gone republican. OF course
would be very glad to see 1t revived.
but one man cannot make a public
movement. / think the same is true
of all the states east OF the Alie-
ghanies and probably also OF many
of them west.
The direct legi-lation movement,
however, is making rapid progress,
and | think | have sent the Direct
Legislation Record as an exchange, il
not would be glad to send 1t to
you. 1t would be almost impossible
to get subscriptions for your paper III
the east, as that kind of paper does
not circulate here.
ELTWEED POMEROY.
East Orange, N. j.
(Mr. Pomeroy is quite correct IN
his statement that "one man cannot
make a public movement and The
Independent has never been foolish
enough to think that such thing
could be done. At the same time the
"materialistic conception of history
upon which Mr.. Pomeroy bases hi;
statement-ha been and Is now
grossly misinterpreted by many. The
man today is dominated by his en-
vironment; but today by tongue and
pen, and otherwise, he is contribut-
ing to larger or smaller degree to
make up the environment which to-
morrow will dominate not only him
self. but others. The reaction of the
ideal upon the material is factor
which cannot safely be overlooked.
Mr. Mr.. Pemerey says the direct legis-
lation movement is making rapid
progress and why? Did this HAPPEN
in some mysterious way, to be ex-
plaihed as our republican friends ex-
plain crises and finan 4ial panics-on
lHC IHCUly VI Suu SpoIso ~ io ~ ih
some measure because Mr.. Pomeroy
himself has been preaching direct leg
islation with might and main for, 10,
these many years? He can hardly fail
to credit part of this rapid progress
the persistent efforts of George II
Shibley chairman of the national
federation for majority rule, who has
expended more than $4,000 in the
last few years sowing the seeds of
direct legislation.
AS an example of what environ
ment does for even the brainiest OF
men, Mr. Mr.. Pomeroy's last sentence is in
point. The Independents circulation
is growing every day Gin the east.
1t has a great many subscribers III
Pennsylvania, New York and the New
England states-but, it must be con-
fessed, not very many in Americas
Frankenstein, especially in East Or
ange, the home of Judge Freeman Otis
Wiley, famous as a hack writer for
the National Economic league.
However, Mr.. Pomeroy's letter has
answered The Independents purpos :,
exactly-to find out the status of the
peoples party in every state and to
make an honest presentation of the
facts so that Independent readers may
know them and form an intelligent
opinion as to what the peoples party
should do next year.-Associate Edi-
tori