Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-13
To Victor

To Victor Rosewater:
Dear Friend: As a boy 1 had for one text
book in my study Of political economy the
editorial writings Of your late honored
father. II I am today somewhat radical
in my views as touching the question Of
the successful efforts Of corporate wealth
TO dominate and influence the judicial
branch OF our national and state govern
ments, then I must give the credit for
that radical view to my close study, both
as boy and m OF the writings Of your
father. His life-work was a vigorous pro-
test against the aEgressions Of corporate
capital. He preached against monopoly
always, no matter whether that monopoly
appeared under the protecting cover OF a
tariff-protected trust, or beneath the shell
terinE wing Of some railroad attorney who
had been raised TO a place OF power as q
Judge Of a state or federal court. Having
been so closely associated with Edward
Rosewater in the work Of trying to do
something in the way Of checking the on
ward march OF corporate wealth toward
the goal Of complete control Of state and
national governments, and particularly OF
tho judicial branch, quite naturally 1 am
psine to note the flippant manner in
which you editorially deal with subjects
which 70 your honored sire were serious
indeed. My desire is to awaken in your
breast a love Of duty, rather than to
condemn you for your conduct. II is my
hope that I may be able to write in
manner to lead your thoughts toward that
path Of duty which your father walked-
toward the duty you owe to the people
or your state in your capacity as the
editor Of a great newspaper which has
held a good place in Thousands Of Ne
braska homes for many years. Perhaps
you may not know the fact, but fact It
is, that many men who have long been
reading the editorial page Of The Omaha
Bee are puzzled now to understand what
malign influence has dulled that sharp
arrow OF reproof which Of old upon thai
page they saw flying in the direction Of
those influences seeking to gain advantage
over the public in matters Of government,
1 am not OF those who believe that your
great newspaper has been sold into bond
age to corporate wealth, and now forbid
den to raise a land in defense of the
rights OF men. Rather, I fear that your
constant association with those who speak
in the voice of wealth. and your constant
distance from those who speak in the
tongue Of humanity, has prejudiced you
against the views men once read and ap-
plauded upon the editorial page of The
Bee. And so l am not without hope that
you may be called back to your rightful
place as the friend and champion of the
people of your state in their struggle
against the aggressive and INSCRIPTIONS
criminal rich, whose hand is heavy upon
all branches Of government, and particu-
larly heavy upon the judicial branch
thereof. One issue of The Bee with an
editorial page flaming with the old fire
of patriotic defense Of the rights OF men
such a page as your old father was wont
10 write when his heart and soul resented
the criminal advances Of corporate wealth
why. only one page of 1t. with q promise
OF more OF 1t, would carry you completely
into that safe and sure place OF respect
and confidence among Nebraskans so long
and so deservedly held by your father.
Write that kind Of a page, Victor! Write
1t now. Your real friends request 1t.
Sincerely, Yours.
EDGAR HOWARD