by the kings and queens of the most extravagant and
profligate nations on earth; in addition, enough more to accumulate huge
and unnecessary funds--which are juggled with for the enrichment of
individuals. Such wicked exactions and shameful extravagances constitute
an imposition of the most wanton and criminal character, and those
responsible should be sent to State prison for life, as too vicious and
dangerous to be allowed freedom among an honest people.

I would say further that the trickery and frauds that have been
practised by the New York Life and the Mutual companies are fully as bad
as, if not worse than, those of the Equitable, now publicly confessed.

8. It is difficult for me to answer such a question--just as difficult
as it is for the mature man to answer the question of the child, "If the
moon is made of green cheese, what kind of rat-traps do they use in
heaven?" The "System" for forty years has taught the people that it is
impossible for them to improve upon the conditions which the "System"
has moulded for its own plundering purposes, yet I have a simple Remedy,
readily understood, which I believe the people will eagerly embrace as
soon as it is given them. This Remedy is adjusted to laws now in force;
and when it is put into operation those who have acquired enormous
fortunes by trickery and fraud will find themselves deprived of their
ill-gotten gains by the simple application of natural laws to which the
said Remedy affords leverage and action. All honest people, the richest
as well as the poorest, will be benefited in fair and just proportion.
Once the Remedy is in force, it will be out of the power of the
trickster and the thief to accumulate overnight scores of millions,
although the Edisons, the Stephensons, the Morses, or any man who by
brain or body does those things for his fellows which they cannot do
for themselves, will continue to receive that great reward which the
whole people in their wisdom and generosity decide is fair for
exceptional services; the common miner, too, when he discovers the
hidden gold, silver, or copper in the earth will obtain the same return
that he is entitled to under to-day's laws, or even better.

9. This story is written, as I have explained so many times before,
simply and solely in performance of my duty toward my country and its
people and without hope or desire for reward of any kind.

10. I do not own any part of _Everybody's Magazine_, nor have I any