My opinion is that Bishop Turner, if he continues to cultivate the evil spirit which broke loose in the Macon Convention, will some day know, by experience, whether hell IS an improvement over the United States; but, before that time comes, I would suggest that he step down to San Domingo and soak himself in the luxuries of that region for awhile, as a preparation for the other place.
“In New York a negro is at the head of the white slave traffic.”
Note.—Public opinion expressed itself so hotly concerning his attack on the flag that Bishop Turner felt driven into a perfunctory and involved denial; but having read this so-called denial I am convinced that the bishop did use substantially the words reported, because of the significant fact that his so-called denial contains language quite as offensive, quite as insulting, as that which he surlily pretends to disclaim. Had this been the first time that Bishop Turner had denounced the Government that has done so much for his race, had it been the first time he had outrageously vilified the people among whom he lives, there might be room for doubt concerning the Macon speech. But Bishop Turner has for years been speaking and writing in precisely the vein which appears in the reports that went out from Macon. He has become conspicuous as a chronic assailant of the whites. Therefore I have not the slightest doubt that he used at Macon in substance, if not in the very words, the reports as telegraphed all over the country.
An Indignant Wisconsin Editor
Mr. John L. Sturtevant, whose card informs the interested universe that he, the said John L., is editor of The Waupaca Post, of Waupaca, Wis., flew into a passion when he read the February number of this Magazine.
The why and the wherefore of his sudden rage are best explained in a red-hot letter which I now give in full, just as it came sizzling from the frying pan:
Feb. 17, 1906.
Thomas E. Watson, New York.
Dear Sir: In the February number of your magazine, on page 400, under the caption “Best on Earth” you state: “The big Milwaukee First National Bank burst and the people lost $1,450,000.” The statement is absolutely false. F. G. Bigelow, president of the bank, appropriated that amount from the bank’s funds to his own use, but the bank did not burst nor did the “people,” in the sense in which you use the word, lose one cent. The loss fell upon the stockholders and was fully paid from the surplus which the bank had accumulated during an honorable and successful career. Your magazine is full of just such reckless and libelous statements as this, which make thoughtful readers look with distrust upon the few truths it contains. Intentionally, or otherwise, you constantly do grave injury to many people and the pity of it is your readers who do not think or reason are led along the paths of populism, socialism and anarchy.