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The Commoner. 3
'APEIL 28, 1005
"A Simple Method of Giving Voters the Initiative"
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Public interest in the primary pledge plan is
increasing as is evidenced by the returns received
at The Commoner office.
All of the letters are interesting, but it may
not be out of place to direct attention to two let
ters recently received. One is from S. F. Swayne,
attorney at Ft. Wayne, Ind., who cast his first vote
for Abraham Lincpln. The other is from Algernon
Colburn, law student, University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis, who will cast his first vote at the next
election and his first vote for president in 1908.
-Mr. Colburn writes: "I celebrated my twenty
first birthday the 4th day of this month. I con
sider it an honor to be able to put my name on
record at your .office, at the opening of my voting
manhood, as being connected with this movement.
I hope that in the distant future I will be able
to point with pride to this pledge as the humble
beginning of. a vigorous and useful career of
service to democratic government and to man
2dnd." Mr. Swayne writes: "With my first vote
for Lincoln, I feel that I am reaffirming the politi
cal faith thereby expressed in recording adherence
to the democratic policy outlined in your pri
mary pledge plan. This plan presents a plain and
simple method for giving the voters the initiative
in expressing their views on political questions.
From these universally expressed views the great
wish and purpose of the masses will be available in
forming the political issues .and find suitable can
didates through whom they can be carried into
effect. Record my name in most hearty approval
of the primary pledge."
Extracts from other letters follow:
I. D. Rognlien, chief deputy district court, Kali
spell, Mont. I enclose herewith my pledge as out
lined in recent issues of The Commoner. This
work is absolutely necessary. The politician and
his-master, whose willing tool he nearly always is,
is ever on the alert. "But the common people, ex
cept in some cases, need to be reminded time
and time again to be on their guard, lest those
who fatten on other people's toil, get the control
of the party organization. Witness the result
in the last democratic convention. But if the
'people are pledged, they will retain in their
hands the only means by which they can hold
their rights. If you have any blank pledges, I
could use about thirty of them."
James Pace, Nowata, I. T. -I send you a list
of forty-nine names that I had the pleasure of
getting today. I could have sent many more
names, but did not think it was necessary, as we
are in Indian Territory and can't vote, but we
will vote some day.
W. A. Smith, Wood Lake, Neb. I herewith
dend you list of names to primary pledge. I
strongly endorse it. I live on a small ranch, but
take an active part in politics never missa
democratic meeting or county convention, I 'go
there to fight for democratic principles from 1896
down. I think to purify politics is something that
needs to be done from township delegates to our
state-and national delegates. It is not because
democrats are unwilling to abide by the will of
the majority that caused so many stay-at-home
votes here in Cherry county, but because they .
saw dishonesty from delegates in the 'action of
New York.
D. W. Peel, Bentonville, Ark. Enclosed find
primary pledge. I hope every democrat in the
"United States will sign the pledge and faithfully
work to the end.
M. "Luther Baldwin,- League, W. Va. I am
twenty-one today and hasten to send you my
pledge. I believe in the eternal principles of de
mocracy as enunciated by Jefferson, Jackson and
6ur uncorrupted leaders of today who dare to
stand by the truth while others cringe under the
money lash.
T. J. Emmet, Ness City, Kan. Enclosed -1
hand you primary pledge, which I am much
pleased to sign, and will keep my pledge as far
as I am able to do so. v
W. H. Steelsmith,. Conrad, la. I wish to be
enrolled aq, one of those who will attend all cau
cuses, primaries and preliminary meetings of the
democratic party, and demand of those having
powers, delegated to them as representatives in
county and state organizations, a pledge to advo
cate and support in every honorable way such
democracy as the Chicago and Kansas City plat
forms promulgated.
Sam Bertram, Littlecrab, Tenn. I think I can
return the primary pledge in two weeks, with the
names of quite a number of our good democrats
appended to it. I think Mr. Bryan's plan of or
ganization is a good one, and I certainly shall do
everything I can-to forward the movement. Let
us become thoroughly organized. Why shouldn't
we? Our principles are undying. Organization
doesn't mean a dropping out of old principles and
the taking up of new ones,but a getting together
on the old Jeffersonian principles of democracy.
I am certainly glad to sejj the responses of so many
democrats all over the country. Let the good work
go on.
John McCarthy, Clarkson, N. Y. I received
your primary pledge blank yesterday, but as Iam
not very well at present I can not do any can
vassing for a few days, but then I expect to got
the signature of every democrat in this district.
I think the primary pledge idea an excellent one,
and the only way that will organize' and harmonize
the democratic party.
A. J. Lee, Linton, Ind. I enclose primary
pledge. I am in hearty accord with the plan. I
am cutting out all the pledges and asking my
Jeffersonian friends to sign them. I will collect
soon and send them in.
J. L. Brock, Ludlow, Mo. You will please ex
cuse me for being so slow in signing and forward
ing the primary pledge, which I will now do with
great pleasure. Hope every democrat In the na
tion will do likewise, also every republican who
believes in good government.
P. O'Brien, Keokuk, la. As an old-time demo
crat I heartily approve your primary pledge and
will endeavor to induce my friends to take it:
D. L. Reynolds, White Pine, Tenn. Enclosed
you will please find the primary pledge, signed
by some of the best democrats in the county. I -say
"best" because it takes the best to stick in
this part of our state.
Ernest Tripp, Callender, la. I heartily en
dorse the primary pledge plan and believe it to be
the only way to get in lino for 1908. Every
true democrat should sign it.
J. H. Bennett, Reidsvillo, N. C Enclosed
please find primary pledge signed cheerfully. I
am fully Jn accord with the democracy of The
Commoner. It is all the democracy that stands
for anything of value to the people.
O. T. Maxwell, Cisco, Tex. With pleasure I
co-operate with you in securing a clear, honest
and straightforward declaration of the party's posi
tion on the great questions which wo are to con
tend for in the future.
Gilbert Wright, Hornellsvillo, N. Y. Please,
find enclosed primary pledge signed. I heartily
believe that a government 'of the people, for tho
people and by the people' can in no way be
brought as near to the people as it can through
tho primaries, where bossism and machine rule
may be rebuked.
H. W. McNeal, Chillicothe, Ohio. I am 08
years of age, was born a democrat and am still
of the same convictions, and my war cry has been:
".Down with the .beef trust, Rockefeller trust and
all of the other trusts."
Isaac N. Pratt, Warren, Rr I. The primary
pledge I. enclose herewith, with the hope that
-its object may be -abundantly realized through
out the country.
James E. Hall, Falmouth, Ind. Enclosed find
primary pledge. It is a good plan and every
democrat should sign it.
M. M. Warner, Lyons, Neb. It gives us great
pleasure topledge ourselves to be a worker in
the gigantic battle for human rights and human
liberty as outlined in tho eternal principles of
democracy.
A. B. Newton, Winter Garden, Fla. I have
"waited to see if some one else would not claim
the honor of being the first from Florida to send
in his primary pledge, but now I hope to claim
it for myself.
J. D. Coonce, Claysville, Mo. Enclosed please
find my primary pledge. I am heart and soul in
this movement. I wish my name enrolled on
your pledge list. I am ready to do all that I can
for the cause of the people at large and Bryan
democracy. I will also enclose two or three others.
William Scherffius, Lynnville, Ky. Enclosed
please find pledge signed by me to be present at
all of the democratic primaries, not only until the
next national election, but as long as I am able to
go, and do what little I can to aid jn placing the
principles of democracy before the people in this
district as set forth by Jefferson, Jackson and
W. J. Bryan.
Harrington Bros.,- Coppell, Tex. We, the Har
rington Bros., pledge ourselves to attend all pri
maries between now and the next national con
vention. H. W. Ford, Sodi, Calif. I take pleasure in
joining the forces of faithful democrats that are
sending in their pledges to support true democratic
principles. All democrats from tho least to tho
greatest should fall into line. , . ,
Dan V. Stophens, Fremont, Neb. I bollevo
this a most excellent idea. It brings our forces
togothor. Dodge county will stand with you and
tho common people.
A. R. Yolsor, Yoiscr, Colo. I hoartily endorse
your plan of tho primaries, as that is all tho
chance tho peoplo have in selecting thoso whoin
they wish to voto for In tho general elections. I
would to God there could bo a law enacted to
mako bribery a capital offence, also lobbying a
penal offense, then tho peoplo would stand somo
. show to got thoir rights.
D. T. Waters, Springlako, Mich. I enclose tho
primary pledge which I havo most earnestly
signed. I regret that it does not go a little farther
and not only pledge tho signer to attend tho pri
maries, but also election. This matter of ab
sence from tho polls Is no less to bo regretted
than absence from tho primnries or caucus.
Chas. E. Williams, Bellalro, Mich. I send you
my primary pledge and sincerely hope that every
honest democrat in tho country will do tho saino
and then bo sure tq keep their pledge.
David Lorbach, Waverly, Ohio. As an alter
nate delegate to tho Chicago convention In 1896,
I was well pleased with tho platform and nomi
nee of sa.id convention, and now I wish to boen
rolled in tho good work as a steadfast and'un
sworving democrat who believes in equal rights
to all and special privileges to none. So "hero is
my pledge and may success crown your efforts.
T. F. Holden. Rushvillo, Ind. Find enclosed
primary pledge signed. May the plan result In
abundant success.
John W. Leber, Ephrata, Pa. I heartily ap
prove of Tho Commoner's plan for the organization
of tho democratic campaign of 1908. It Is a noble
idea, and tends to purer and more elovating poll
tics. When this is realized and which I sincerely
believe will be ere long, all tho rascality, corrup
tion, greed and graft which is practiced nowadays
In American politics will bo a thing of tho past.
G. W. Barr, Dayton, Ohio. I herewith enclose
ybu tho primary pledge, which I most heartily
endorse. I think it a wise plan to bring true
democrats together and leave out tho wolves that
wear sheops' clothing.
W. J. Minohan, Binghamton, N. Y. Enclosed
find my primary pledge. I think it Is a good plan.
I havb been with you ever since 1896 and am with
you now, and will bo with you until tho last.
H. J. Grogen, Endington, Mich. I trust your
efforts will awaken the peoplo to action in and '
for tho good of tho nation. Inclosed please find
my pledge. Yours for good government.
W. H. Wilson, Woodland, Iowa Am heartily
in accord with your primary plan. Democracy
must arouse itself to tho great work of protecting
tho masses against tho classes. Find enclosed
my pledge duly signed. Yours for democracy and
equal rights.
C. W. Halstead, Ashley, 111. I will do all that
I can to secure signatures to the primary pledge
petition.
James B" Miller, North Andover, Mass. En
closed you will find my primary pledge. I am
willing to do what I can to bring the democratic
party back to the people.
Mr. J. S. Buttner, Rockwell City, Iowa. Being
In sympathy with your call to organize the demo
cratic party into a more potent and effective
working force In the hands of the masses, by tho
infusion of a greater amount of democracy into its
organism, I enclose herewith tho primary pledge
duly signed, and will do what little I can to bring
about tho desired results by a faithful attendance
at all primaries in my voting precinct. I believe
your plan, as outlined, Is the true road to reform
and re-organization of the party, and if taken
hold of by the people and carried out will bring
the democratic party "back to the peoplo." When
this is accomplished I believe the reform element
from all other parties will readily como to us, and
then the people will be able to strike effective
blows against tho insolent and arrogant power
of plutocracy now so strongly entrenched in tho
body politic.
Will R. Knox, Intercourse, Pa. I heartily ap
prove of the "primary pledge" and herewith mall
it with my name attached. We, in Lancaster
county, Pa., are just beginning to know what we
have long suspected, that the so-called democratic
party is often controlled by tho republican ma
chine. John H. Martin, New Matamoras, Ohio. En
closed herewith find primary pledge duly signed.
I think the time has come for the people to write
the platforms of their parties. "
, C. M. Schackleford, Clarence, Mo. Find en
(Continued on page 7.).
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