Besides, Col. Mann, after my letter was written and before its receipt, by him, had rushed into the New York World with an interview which libelled me basely and cruelly.
***
Let me say, in justice to a most estimable gentleman, that I had no quarrel with Mr. Richard Duffy. He is peculiarly well fitted to make a first-class editor of a literary magazine. His standards are high and his judgment sound. He was not, however, particularly suited to a political magazine—never having devoted any special study to Political Economy and Governmental questions. In my contemplated change in the Editorial Staff, I was not actuated by any dislike of Mr. Duffy. My motive was simply that of the mariner who sacrifices a portion of his cargo to save his ship.
***
“Explanatory” makes as much as possible out of the weekly cheque of $125, sent to me “during the busy part of the subscription season.”
Yes, they sent me cheques to the amount of one thousand dollars, at a time when subscriptions were pouring in at the rate of two and three thousand per week.
But “Explanatory” does not state the fact that nine thousand dollars represents the amount of unpaid honest, hard work done by me on the Magazine and that Col. Mann told the newspaper reporters, brazenly, that HE NEVER INTENDED TO PAY A RED CENT OF IT.
Perhaps, the sum-total paid me during the two years would cover my actual expense-account in working for the Magazine. It certainly would not do more than that.
***
“Explanatory” dwells upon my ceasing to visit New York, once a month.