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APRIL 21, 1905 .
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THE secretary of the foreign bondholders cor-
poration is quoted as saying: "Let us com
pare the quotations on some of these bonds a year
ago with the prices ruling today. At the' end of
March, 1904, the Colombian bonds were quoted
at 17. The present price is 40. Costa Rica bonds
a year ago were 15, and are now 40; Guatamalas
have advanced from 16 to 27 Honduras bonds
from 5 to 9, and Venezuelan from 27 to 46. The
foregoing debts are all at present and have been
for many years in total default. The rise that
has taken place appears to be largely due to tho
idea that the United States 'is going to intervene
in some way, so as to make all these defaulting
countries pay their debts."
The Commoner.
THE Washington correspondent for tho Chicago
. Tribune says that financial men in tho cast
take Mayor Dunne at his word, and adds: "Surface
railroads In Now York, Cincinnati, St. Louis and
San Francisco will bo likely, I am told, to tako
. the lesson of tho Chicago election much to heart.
This means that they will hasten to improve their
service, give better cars, make better time and
generally show more zeal for public comfort than
previously has been tho case. Fear of municipal
ownership sinco Dunno's election has becomo a
present one with every traction company in tho
country and. one way in-which they will be able to
prevent local imitation of Chicago's example will
bo by removing tho cause for complaint as far as
possible. There Is a possibility that this may b
carried to a point whoro there will bo a slight re
ductlon in tho street car earnings for a year or
two. It will bo good policy for tho traction com
panies generally to roduco tho supply of water
in their securities, and at the samo tlmo to spend
more money in bettorment, oven at tho risk of
decreased dividends for a year or two. Chi
cago has a reputation for progressivoness all ovor
the Unitad States, and this fact has led many
people to believe that Dunno's election and ppen
and official declaration for municipal ownorshlp
will be selected by other cities as tho progressive
thing to do."
i AM FOR DEMOCRACY BECAUSE
' I BELIEVE DEMOCRACY IS FOR ME"
(Continued from page 5.)
to sign and send you my pledge. You have
sounded the key note to success. Every true
democratic heart will beat in harmony and unison
with your martial music and stentorian order,
"To the front. Forward march." When I get
well you can rely upon me to do everything within
my power to further the good work in question.
W. C. Parham, Benton, Ark. I herewith en
close primary pledge, as you request, with my
signature and most hearty endorsement. A few
days ago I interviewed our member of the Na
tional Democratic committee on this subject and
he pronounces it a capital stroke of policy. I
said that if it is generally carried' out, it will
insure the election of democratic candidates and
a democratic platform in 1908.
J. H. Harden, Church Road, Va. I enclose
the primary pledge for which I have signed with
great pleasure. I heartily agree with you upon
this matter, and am ready at all times to render
any assistance possible to advance tho true and
noble principles which you have so eloquently and
faithfully advocated for over eight years.
John P. Kneubmann, Sumas City, Wash.
Your primary pledge is a step in the right direc
tion, i
J. H. Sutton, Bethany, Mo. Enclosed find
primary pledge with my signature. Any com
ments from me on the objects to be attained by
complying with the requirements of the pledge,
is, unnecessary for the reason that it goes without
saying that the Missouri democracy has always
b'een and will be in line for the principles of true
democracy, as exemplified in the platforms of
1896 and 1900, and other issues evolved from pres
ent economic conditions.
M. G. Myles, Falling Spring, W. Va. I here
with enclose signed primary pledge. It gives me
pleasure to endorse and approve your primary
plan and I wish to say further that I heartily
approve of all the reforms which you advocate
through the columns of The Commoner. I shall
be glad to co-operate with you and all other demo
crat's in every possible manner to , promote and
promulgate the principles and teachings of trtfo
Jeffersdnian democracy, and to these convictions,
I am committed, and shall ever remain a stead
fast and loyal friend.
Milton Curt.ifs, ,Beckley, W. r Va. You, will
find enclosed two. primary pledges. Had I signed
this pledge 20 years ago, it would have beeft
honestly kept', as ,1 have never missed a primary
and never intend to.
Jas. T Strange, Elysian Fields, Tex. I hopo
these pledges will be instrumental in securing a
national platform in 1908 embodying the essentia
features of the Kansas City platform and empha
sizing gover,rimenL ownership .qr,control of public
utilities, initiative and referendum, election of
senators, postmasters and federal judges by tho
people.
James A. Tarlton, Jr., Indianapolis, Ind. In
regard to the primary pledge request published in
The Commoner, I will say: I have, for one, always
made it a point to be present at all primaries,
whether. I accomplish anything or not. I heartily
approve of your plan and would like to see the
primaries held open and above board, so that all
democrats could take a part in same and would
like to see them called far enough in advance,
so 'that democrats generally would have an oppor
tunity to attend. The primaries for the 1904
campaign were called in such haste that no one
had an opportunity to do any work whatever, or
in other words, it was a snap primary, pure and
simple, and the reorganizes that secretly did the
planning, had it ill their own way. Will in future
do all I can to prevent a recurrence; b these tac
tics. Will orgame the democfatsun my precinct
. sfr'that we will hafve a voice innsliaprrig democratic
lislied in' yburmBstw valuable M$$- '' ' r x
John HfCocbran, ttecker, TeXAn organized;
concerted and earnest efTort Is the best way to en
sure success in any undertaking. The greater
the undertaking, the greater the necessity for
united action. As your plan is the right move in
the right direction, I cheerfully sign the pledge.
Albert L. Kneuss, Canton, O. With the great
est of pleasure, I will fill out tho primary pledge.
I think your plan of organizing tho democratic
party is a good one. Through this way you get
good, upright honest men at the head of organiza
tions, men who are willing to pull off their coats
and work for the greatest interest of tho greatest
masses of our people.
A. C. Blount, Baton Rouge, La. It gives mo
great pleasure to have tho privilege or participat
ing in thi3 great worlc I am sure the democrats
of this great country of ours will realize the prin
ciples for which you stand are right. Hero is my
pledge.
G. C. Hendrick, Huntington, W. Va. Please
place my name to the list of those pledged, as sot
forth in The Commoner entitled, "Tho Primary
Pledge." I wish to say that I think this to be a
good step and I intend to lend a helping hand in
getting our party into line of battle again.
Geo. W. Acker, Toledo, O. The plan is a good
one and should, interest every man who loves fair
play, for this is what democrats will demand for
the people. A platform founded on the principles
of equal rights for all and special privileges for
none, and while this is the prevailing sentiment
there is no danger of the party dying. True de
mocracy prospered while in power, and has kept
the germ of liberty alive while laboring under
temporary adversity.
W. A. Taylor, Murray, Idaho.' Please find en
closed my primary pledge. I will try ttf secure
the pledge of all those in my precinct and at tho
same time extend the circulation of The Com
moner. The primary pledge is the real start
toward reform.,
James McNabb, Editor Gazette, Carrollton,
111. In view of the fact that political issues, are
primarily made by the people whoso wishes should
he carried, out in state and national conventions,
I most heartily endorse your plan of pledging all
democrats, .to attend all.iprlmaries to be held be
tween now and the next democratic national con
vention. This Js certainly the plan 'to get an
honest expression from tho. people.
Samuel H, Lapp, St.! Vincent, Minn. Find
pledge sigiied byline enclbsed. I am glad the
movement has started, can
B. A. Enloe, Nashville; Tenn.r-The. plan of
organization suggested through the columns of
'The Commoner, should meet with tho approval
of every, democrat who believes In the right of the
majority of the party to rule in the party coun
cils. Parties are the agencies through which
governmental policies are Inaugurated and finally
crystallzed into laws, and those who neglect the
primaries," not only lose tho opportunity to be
heard in shaping the Issues upon which the battle
must be fought, but they forfeit all right to com
plain of the result. As a Jeffersonian democrat,
believing in majority rule in the party and in tho
government, I cheerfully subscribe to the pledge
to attend the primaries of.my party to be held be
tween now and the next democratic national
convention, and to use my influence to secure a
clear, honest and straightforward declaration of
thp party's position on every question upon which
the voters of the party may desire to speak.
John W. Alphonse, Stamford, Conn. Please
place my name on record as one of the members
in favor, of the primary pledge plan.
. The Editor of the Enterprise, Mahiston, Miss.
Your letter with enclosure relative to primaries
and organization pledges has been received. We
aro heartily In favor of the plan and have been
in our feeble way trying tp,get our people, to take
a' hand "in, formulating h'e.jpaHy's policies' for- a
number 'tA ySrs. We wfan.yoyt 'pucQ6'Bdi vf ,
' R. J! 'Bali;'fubl. Glaiin democrat, llatln';
Mo. "Back to tho pooplo"Is a slogan woll worthy
of democracy. It stands for sincerity and honesty
in politics and strips bosslm of itapowor. Tho
masses of democracy aro for majority rule, first,
last and all the time, and a platform declaration
emanating from the pcoplo with candidates
named by the people, as the primary plan Insures,
cannot fail of victory. Yours for a triumphant
democracy representing the will of tho masses.
II. L. Freeman, Nowtonia, Mo. I havo been
reading tho list of subscribers to tho primary list.
You can put four now names to that list, Hughly
L. Freeman, and three sons, John M., W. R., and
H. L., Jr.
E. Allen, Danville, Ky. It gives mo a distinct
pleasure to have the privilege of participating in
the good work. I am a Kentucky democrat and
am also a Gobol domocrat.
Whitfield Tuck, Winchester, Mass. Enclosed
is my pledge which I gladly sign.
J. W. Whitney, Roseraont, Kansas. You will
find enclosed my primary pledge, together with
my hearty approval of your plan of organizing tho
party, and truly hope every democrat will heartily
respond.
J H. Martin, Palmyra, Va. Find herewith
primary pledge. I believe in organization (not
reorganized). I think tho primary pledge plan
just tho thing. I should rejoice to know that
seven or eight millions of voters had taken this
pledge. Everybody who can endorse tho principles
as enunciated in tho democratic platforms of 189G
and 1900 should take this pledge.
D. W. Smith, Maysville, N. C Please enroll
my name 'as one in the midst of an organized fight
for the success of true democracy.
D. E. McEllfnney, Dryden, N. Y. I send
pledge signed hoping I may assist In at least a
small measure In tho good work of swinging tho
old ship back in line.
Andrew J. Conner, Rich Square, N. C. Yours
of the 28th ult. received. I approve the primary
plan and will publish editorial from The Com
moner next week.
C. M. Englert, Laurens, Iowa. I am very woll
pleased to have the chance to go on record as one
who will attend all primaries from now until the
next democratic national convention. This great
work started must be kept up for,, in my opinion,
a man is -never useless until he loses his courage,
and there are very few which have lost their cour
age, still loyal and faithful, ready to work for real
democracy.
Wm. Arrlson, Ross, N. D. With pleasure I
state that my zeal has not yet abated, even In
a small degree for the democratic cause, I feel as
if our prospects are brighter than usual, fromrhe
fact that J hope we are clear of those ."gold bugs"
whose Influence was continuously working to .our
hurt. My only regret is ,that I can do so little
but that, little I can do shall be done when sur
roundings admit.
Charles A. Fearnault, Lee, N. H. I am a vet
eran 6C years old and 41 democrat and a Bryan
man, through and through. I believe In the
pledge and will keep it as near as I can. I wish
every democrat would sign it.
Wm. H. Duncan, Jr., Brainard, Neb. I heart
ily endorse the primary pledge for reorganization
of the democratic party for the election of 1908.
O. L. Chapin, Malone, N. Y. Enclosed find
primary pledge duly signed. I hope all demo
cratic papers will co-operate with you in the
primary pledge organization. If democrats would
attend the primaries as generally as they attend
general elections, even, they could easily send
delegates to county and state conventions who
would represent them and not. the trusts. Eyory
democrat who desires honest government L&w
equal rights must attend the primaries. SJgnr-Jhe
primary pledge and catch onto the "towline.'4L? ai
Joseph .Furling, AttornoyuHAW, Sjt.Louify
Mo,An'hpnest primary means an. honesttandl
dtenp)Wo,.,will.,enfpi?cevthe lawsfcji; &r noria
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