The independent., 1903-11-26

No political, religious or any other
movement was ever put on it's feet
without a press. The religious and
political reformatiOns OF the world
have all been produced by the press.
Before the newspaper, was the pamph-
let circulating from hand to hand. 1t
was in that way that the populist
movement was started. Little pamph-
lets were circulated like Ten Men of
Money Island" and "The Seven Fnan-
cial Conspiracies," by the thousands.
Then came the populist weekly news
paper. AS this was movement OF
the common people, of course there
were no millions to print papers of
scores of pages filed with light and
entertaining literature, backed up by
high-priced advertising, and the pop
uiist weekly had a. hard time compet-
ing with such papers. Then there was
deliberate movement made to crush
out, or buy out, every paper that adj
vocated the principles not approved by
plutocracy. We all know how the
agricultural and religious press was
lost to us. Then there was a perse-
cution begun by the postofIice authori-
bASc ae3uihSt ROPuiiDI P0PCAo AOaoJ
every great daily is allowed privileges
denied to The Independent and other
populist papers. Besides that millions
Of copies OF plutocratic papers are CIV
en- outright to the recipients.
The only way to victory is through
the press. Every man who thinks for
moment upon the subject must come
to that conclusion. Political economy
and righteous principles of govern
ment must be presented to the people
and the only way to do it Is through
the press. A gentleman residing in
Washington, ID. c., presents his views
on that subject in the following let
ter:
THE hope of reform is in extend
ing the circulation of the populist
press. Mark Hanna built a dam
across the onward movement when he
planned to capture the press of the
United States. es."-Independent, Nov
IL, 1903.
There Is true word. Whether we
capture the votes or not for our par
ty, we will have our way, for sure, If
we capture the minds of our fellow
citizens. AS to what Mr.. Hanna has
done, the remedy for this is for pop
ulists to circulate their papers free,
just as the capitalists do theirs. The
Independent has often pointed out
how the plutocrats fill the unthinking
citizens hands with newspapers which
will conceal the truth. Men may say
they have so much to read they do
not care to pay for any more. Then
let us give it to them without their
paying for it. To show how this is
open to us, | send you herewith 81 to
pay for four copies of The Indepen-
dent to my address for three months.
These l will give out freely. Some
will be read and some will not. Some
will be read by several persons.
Among the readers some will SUBJ
scribe. Even If they do not subscribe,
they will get populist ideas in their
heads, and they will find out scme of
the things which the daily press con-
ceals, but which The Independent
spreads to the public gaze.
hope, Mr.. Editor, that you will
take up this and urge it upon the
workers for reform. Urge it as vigor-
sously as you urge the getting of new
subscriptions 1t will bring III new
subscriptions. And meanwhile, this
is an addition of four copies to your
bona fide paid up subscription list of
subscribers. The postoffice depart
ment cannot object to my taking as
many copies for myself as | am will
ing to pay for And it adds that much
to your opportunity to send sample
copies. At the end of three months
will renew; thus it takes only one
dollar at time. Why cannot thou
sand of us do this right along?
M. FOSTER.
Washington, d. C.