despite its leading place in the movement, "the nationalist" proved to be financially unsuccessful, however, and in 1890 it was suggested to bellamy by the boston club that he take over the editorial helm of the magazine. bellamy was in ill health, however, suffering from a bout of influenza, and he was forced for a time to forgo taking a seat at the editorial desk. by the end of the year, the magazine was deeply in debt, kept in operation only through the grace of subscriber donations.