[1] Fowler initially settled in Victoria, where he was a prospector on the goldfields and was a member of the Victorian Socialist League.

In 1909, Fowler left the party claiming that it can become too centralising, although others suggested it was because of his failure to gain a portfolio.

[2] In 1919 Fowler published an attack on Hughes—who was now Prime Minister —and continued to oppose him, particularly in relation to his support for high tariffs.

He wrote short stories and newspaper articles, sometimes using the pseudonyms Hamish Mackinnon and James Evandale.

He also wrote an unpublished novel, The Day of Demos, which was inspired by being "driven slowly but surely to the conclusion that democracy as a system of government is a rank failure".