The Peoples Voice (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 9, No. 3, Ed. 1 Friday, August 10, 1900 Page: 1 of 8
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The Peoples Voice
VOL. 9.
NORMAN. OKLAHOMA, AUGUST 10, 1900.
NO. 3.
"Parable of the Water Tank."
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An extract from Edward Bellamy's "Equality."
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There was a certain very dry
land, the people whereof were in
sore need of water. And they did
nothing but to seek after water from
morning until night, and many
perished because they could not
find it.
Howbeit, there were certain men
in that land who were more crafty
and diligent than the rest, and these
had gathered stores of water where
others could find none, and the
name of these men were called cap
italists. And it came to pass that
the people of the land came unto
the capitalists and prayed them
that they would give them of the
water they had gathered that they
might drink, for their need was sore.
But the capitalists answered them
and said:
"Go to, ye silly people! Why
should we give you of the water we
have gathered, for then we should
become even as ye are and perish
with you. But behold what we wi"
do unto you. Be ye
our
the hedges, crying, "If any thirst
let him come to the tank and buy
water of us, for it doth overflow."
For they said among themselves,
"Behold, the times are dull; we must
advertise."
But the people answered, saying:
"How can we buy unless ye hire us,
for how else shall we have where-
withal to buy? Hire ye us, there
fore, as before, and we will gladly
buy water, for we thirst, and ye will
have no need to advertise." But
the capitalists said to the people:
"Shall we hire you to bring water
when the tank, which is the Market,
doth already overflow? Buy ye,
therefore, first water, and when the
tank is empty, through your buying,
will we hire you again." And so it
was because the capitalists hired
them no more to bring water that
the people could not buy the water
they had brought already, and be-
cause the people could not buy the
| water they had brought already, the
servants capitalists no more hired them to
and ye shall have water."
And the people said: "Only give
us to drink and we will be your ser-
vants, we and our children." And
it was so. Now, the capitalists
were men of understanding, and
wise in their generation. They
ordered the people who were their
servants in bands with captains and
officers, and some they put at the
springs to dip, and others did they
make to carry the water, and others
did they cause
bring water. And the saying went
abroad, "It is a crisis."
And the thirst of the people was
great, for it was not now as it had
been in the days of their fathers,
when the land was open before
them, for every one to seek water
for himself, seeing that the capital-
ists had taken all the springs, and
the wells, and the water wheels, and
the vessels and the buckets, so that
no man might come by water save
to
springs.
seek for new j from the tank, which was the Mar
ket. And the people murmured
And all the water was
brought together in one place, and against the capitalists and said:
there did the capitalists make a "Behold! the tank runneth over,
great tank to hold it, and the tank and we die of thirst. Give us,
was called the Market, for it was therefore, of the water, that we per-
there that the people, even the ser- ish not.'
vants of the capitalists, came to
get water. And the capitalists said
unto the people:
"For every bucket of water that
ye bring to us, that we may pour it
into the tank, which is the Market,
behold! we will give you a penny,
but for every bucket that we shall
draw forth to give unto you that ye
may drink of it, ye and your wives
and your children, ye shall give us
two pennies, and the difference
shall be our profit, seeing that if it
were not for this profit we would
not do this thing for you, but ye
should all perish."
And it was good in the people's
eyes, for they were dull of under-
standing, and they diligently brought
water unto the tank for many days,
and for every bucket which they
did bring the capitalists gave them
every man a penny; but for every
bucket that the capitalists drew
forth from the tank to give again
unto the people, behold! the people
rendered to the capitalists two pen-
nies.
And after many days the water-
tank, which was the Market, over
But the capitalists answered:
"Not so. The water is ours. Ye
shall not drink thereof unless ye
buy it of us with pennies." And
they confirmed it with an oath, say-
ing, with their manner, "Business is
business."
But the capitalists were disquieted
that the people bought no more
water, whereby they had no more
any profits, and they spake one to
another, saying: It seemeth that
our profits have stopped our profits,
and by reason of the profits we
have made, we can make no more
profits. How is it that our profits
are become unprofitable to us, and
our gains do make us poor? Let us
therefore, send for the soothsayers,
that they may interpret this thing
unto us," and they sent for them.
"Now, the soothsayers were men
learned in dark sayings, who joined
themselves to the capitalists by
reason of the water of the capitalists
that they might have thereof and
live, they and their children. And
they spake for the capitalists unto
the people, and did their embassies
for them, seeing that the capitalists
flowed at the top, seeing that for were not a folk quick of understand-
every bucket the people poured in | ing neither ready of speech.
they received only so much as
would buy again half of a bucket.
And because ot the excess that was
left of every bucket, did the tank
overflow, for the people were many,
but the capitalists were few, and
could drink no more than others.
Therefore did the tank overflow.
And when the capitalists saw
that the water overflowed, they said
to the people:
And the capitalists demanded of
the soothsayers that they should in-
terpret this thing unto them, where-
fore it was that the people bought
no more water of them, although
the tank was full.. And certain of
the soothsayers answered and said,
"It is by reason of over production,"
and some said, "It is glut;" but the
signification of the two words is the
same. And others said, "Nay, but
lilt* .
"See ye not the tank, which is the | this thing is by reason of the spots
Market, doth overflow? Sit ye j on the sun." And yet others ans-
down, therefore, and be patient, for wered, saying, "It is neither by
ye shall bring no wore water till the reason of glut, nor yet of spots on
tank be empty."
But when the people no more
received the pennies of the
capitalists for the water they
brought, they could buy no more
water from the capitalists, having
naught wherewith to buy. And
when the capitalists saw that they
had no more profit because no man
bought water of them, they were
troubled. And they sent forth men
in the highways, the byways, and
the sun that this evil hath come to
pass, but because of lack of confi-
dence."
And while the soothsayers con-
tended among themselves, accord-
ing to their ninnner, the men of
profit did slumber and sleep, and
when they awoke they said to the
soothsayers: "It is enough. Ye
have spoken comfortably unto us,
now go ye forth and speak comfort
ably likewise unto this people, so
that they be at rest and leave us j
also in peace."
But the soothsayers, even the men
of the dismal science—for so they
were named of some—were loath to
go forth to the people lest they
should be stoned, for the people
loved them not. And they said to
the capitalists:
"Masters, it is a mystery of our
craft that if men be full and thirst
not but be at rest, then shall they
find comfort in our speech even as
ye. Yet if they thirst and be empty
find they no comfort therein but
rather mock us, for it seemeth that
unless a man be full our wisdom ap-
peared! unto him buj emptiness."
But the capitalists said: "Go ye
forth. Are ye not our men to do
our embassies?"
And the soothsayers went forth to
the people and expounded to them
the mystery of overproduction, and
how it was that they must needs
perish of thirst because there was
overmuch water, and how there
could not be enough because there
was too much. And likewise spoke
they unto the people concerning the
sun spots, and also wherefore it was
that these things had come upon
them by reason of lack of confi-
dence. And it was even as the
soothsayers had said, for to the peo-
ple their wisdom seemed emptiness.
And the people reviled them, saying:
"Go up, ye bald heads. Will ye
mock us? Doth plenty breed fam-
ine? Doth nothing come out of
much?" And they took up stones
and stoned them.
And when the capitalists saw that
the people still murmured and
would not give ear to the sooth-
sayers, and because also they feared
lest they might come upon the tank
and take of the water by force,
they brought forth to them certain
holy men (but they were false
priests) who spake unto the people
that they should be quiet and
trouble not the capitalists because
they thirsted. And these holy men,
who were false priests, testified to
the people that this affliction was
sent to them of God for the heal
ing of their souls, and that if they
should bear it in patience and lust
not after the water, neither trouble
the capitalists, it would come to
pass that after they had given up
the ghost they would come to a
country where there should be no
capitalists but an abundance of
water. Howbeit, there were certain
true prophets of God also, and
these had compassion on the peo-
ple and would not prophesy for the
capitalists, but rather spake con-
stantly against them.
Now, when the capitalists saw
that the people still murmured and
would not be still, neither for the
words of the soothsaytfrs nor of the
false priests, they came forth them-
selves unto them and put the ends
of their fingers in the water that
overflowed in the tank and wet the
tips thereof, and they scattered the
drops of water from the tips of
their fingers abroad upon the peo
pie who thronged the tank, and the
name of the drops of water was
charity, and they were exceeding
bitter.
And when the capitalists saw yet
again that neither for the words of
the soothsayers, nor of the holy men
who were false priests, nor yet for
the drops that were called charity,
would the people be still, but raged
the more, and crowded upon the
tank as if they would take it by
force, then took they council
together and sent men privily forth
among the people. And these men
sought out the mightiest among the
people and all who had skill in war,
and took them apart and spake
j craftily with them, saying:
I "Come, now, why cast ye not
i your lot with the capitalists? If ye
! will be their men and serve them
| against the people, that they break
j not in upon the tank, then shall ye
have abundance of water, that ye
perish not, ye and your children."
| And the mighty men and they
I who were skilled in war hearkened
unto this speech and suffered them-
selves to be persuaded, for their
thirst constrained them, and they
went within unto the capitalists and
became their men and slaves and
swords were put in their hands and
they became a defence unto the |
capitalists and smote the people
when they thronged upon the tank.
And after many days tb • wjter
was low in the tank, for the capital-
ists did make fountains and fish
! ponds of the water thereof, and did
bathe therein, they and their wives
and their children, and did waste
the water for their pleasure.
And when the capitalists saw that
the tank was empty, they said, " l'ht
crises is ended;" and they sent forth
and hired the people that the)
should bring water to fill it again.
And for the water the people
brought to the tank they received
for every bucket a penny, but foi
the water which the capitalists drew
forth from the tank to give again ti
the people they received two pen
nies, that they might have theii
profit. And after a time did the
tank again overflow even as before.
And now, when many times the
people had filled the tank, until it
overflowed and had thirsted till the
water therein had been wasted by
{American Victory!
CHINESE OUTWITTED < ►
HAVE YOI'
i \
EVER INSPECTED ( i
<
<>
If not you are behind the times.
American manufacturers mak
better Matting, 2 to 1, than ever
China did. Hundreds of yards of
it used by people of Norman who
will recommend it. Eor sale by
REED & SHAFFER,
* Sm balm ing a Specialty—Jurniture, Carpet* and Undertaking
he beginning, and none hath found wise seemed it not a hard thing,
i way of deliverance until now, And with one voice they cried out,
though many have sought it careful- "So let it be as ye have said, for we
ly with tears. But if ye know a will do it!"
,vay, speak unto us quickly." j And the capitalists heard the
Then the agitators spake unto noise of the shouting and what the
the people of the way. And they people said, and the soothsayers
said, "Behold, what need have ye at heard it also, aud likewise the false
.Jail 'of these capitalists, that ye priests and the mighty men of war,
"he'capitalists, it came to pass that I should yield them profits upon your who were a defense unto the capi-
there arose in the land certain men labor? What great thing do they j talists; and when they heard they
who were called agitators, for they wherefore ye render this tribute? trembled exceedingly, so that their
did stir up the people. And they ] Lo! it is otfly because they do order knees smote together, and they said
spake to the people saying that they J you jn bands and lead you out and one to another, "It is the end of us."
should associate and then would jn and set your tasks and afterwards Howbeit, there were certain true
they have no need to be servants of I ^ive you a little of the water your- priests of the living God who would
the capitalists and should thirst no I selves have brought and not they, not prophesy for the capitalists, but
more for water. And in the eyes of j Now, behold the way out of this had compassion on the people; and
the capitalists were the agitators bondage! Do ye for yourselves when they heard the shouting of the
pestilent fellows, and they would that which is done by the capitalists people and what they said, they re-
I fain have crucified them, but durst I —namely, the ordering of your, joiced with exceeding great joy, and
I not for fear of the people. j labor, and the dividing of your gave thanks to God because of the
And the words of the agitators I iasks. Sb shall ye have no need j deliverance.
which they spake lo the people [ at all of the capitalists and no more , And the people went and did all
were of the wise: ! yield to them any profit, but all the . (be things that were told them of
"Ye foolish people, how long will j fruit of your labor shall ye share as the agitators to do. And it came to
ye be deceived by a lie and believe brethren, every one having the , pass as the agitators had said, even
to your hurt that which is not? for
behold all these things that have
been said unto you by the capital
ists and by the soothsayers are cun-
ningly devised fables. And likewise
the holy men, who say that it is the
will of God that ye should always
be poor and miserable and athirst
behold! they do blaspheme God
and are liars, whom He will bitterly
judge though He forgive all others.
How cometh it that ye may not
come by the water in the tank? Is
it not because you have no money?
And why have ye no money? Is
not because ye receive but one
penny for every bucket that ye
bring to the tank, which is the Mar-
ket, but must render two pennies for
' every bucket ye take out, so that
the capitalists may have their profit?
See ye not how by this means the
tank must overflow, being filled by
that ye lack and made to abound
out of your emptiness? See ye not
same; and so shall the tank never | according to all their words. And
overflow until every man is full, and 1 there was no more any thirst in that
would not wag the tongue for more, Und, neither any that hungered, nor
and afterward shall ye with the ] naked, nor cold, nor in any manner
overflow ninke pleasant fountainsj „f want; and every man said unto
and fish ponds lo delight yourselves , bis fellow, "My brother," and every
withal even as did the capitalists; woman said uuto her companion,
but these shall be for the delight of •• My sister," for so were they with
one another as bretheren and sisters
which do dwell together in unity.
And the blessing of God rested upon
that land forever.
And the people answered, "How |
shall we go about to do this thing, j
for it seemeth good to us?"
And the agitators answered,!
"Choose ye discreet men to go' [be fact that the People's party
in and out before you and marshal i ^ ^ ^ county saw flt to tender
your bands and order your labor, ^ nomin,lion of probate judge to
am| these men shall be as the cap -- ^ ^ school superin.
talists were; but, behold they sha | (q char,es H Meeker>
"°t bL' y;",r ""Ste,rS " U,e CJU' ' seems to be troubling the Democrats
,ists are, but your bretheren and of- «em ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
ficers who do your will, and they " llemen nal„ed should
shall not take any profits, but every , 1-the tw g ^ _
man his share like the others, that
there may be no more masters and
servants among you, but bretheren
New Goods!
, ■ .. 'only. And from time to time, as ye
also that the harder ye toil and the, * ^ ^ Qther discreet
more diligently ye seek and bring ■ .^ ^ ^ Rrst to or(ler
water, the worse and not the bet j , | j r
ter it shall be for you by reason of 1 1 peopie barkened, and the
the profit, and that forever? 'thing was very good to them. I.ike-
After this manner spake the agi- ^ .
tators for many days unto the peo- |
pie, and none heeded them, but it I
was so that after a time the people
hearkened. And they answered and !
said unto the agitators:
"Ye say the truth. It is because j
of the capitalists and of their profits ,
that we want, seeing that by reason
of them and their profits we may by
no means come by the fruit of out j
labor, so that our labor is in vain,|
and the more we toil to fill the tank j
the sooner doth it overflow, and we
may receive nothing because there
too much, according to the words
of the soothsayers. But behold,
the capitalists are hard men and
their tender mercies are cruel. Tell
us if ye know any way whereby we
may deliver ourselves out of our
bondage unto them. But if ye
know of no certain way of deliver-
ance we beseech you to hold your
to aecept, the Democrats
are having no trouble now to speak
of to what they will have next No-
vember. Again we cannot see why
the Democrats should object so
strenuously to Mr. Botsford and
Mr. Meeker, being nominated by
iwo parties, for was it not even so
with Mr Bryan and Mr. Neff?
Every day we receive new goods for our large
and increasing trade. Buy of us and have the
satisfaction of knownng that you ge only the
best at the lowest cost price. We call your at-
tention to our
Cut Prices
Shirt Waists, Clothing, Linen Clothing, Straw
llats, Low Cut Shoes,
ance we beseech you to holtl your j nnn; is th<
peace and let us alone, that we may Qn these we will make you special low pi ices, an now is
time to buy. We have what you want in all departments.
Save time by buying of us. Two cars sugar cheaper
than anybody can buy it by the car.
1
J
forget our misery
And the agitators answered and
said, "We know a way."
And the people said, "Deceive us
not, for this thing hath been from
Elledge & Philips.
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Allan, John S. The Peoples Voice (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 9, No. 3, Ed. 1 Friday, August 10, 1900, newspaper, August 10, 1900; Norman, Oklahoma Territory. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc117193/m1/1/: accessed April 24, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.