The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1884-10-22
PLAIN



When the bottom facts in regard
to the real purposes OF the so-called
Peoples Party in this coanty ale
known there will be found but few
Democrats to support it's ticket.
When an independent ticket was
first talked of, among the reasons
assigned for the organization of a
Peoples party were that both the
Democratic and Republican parties
in the county were run by rings,
bosses, and political syndicates, and
that these had become SO corrupt that
a fair expression OF the popular
| will in the selection of candid ties for
| county offices could not be obtained.
1t was further urged that Butte
wanted all the ''fat" offices. and left
In the cold those aspirants for remu-
nerative positions who happened to
live In outside precincts.
A meeting of Independents was
held in Centerville, which was ad-
dressed ~ several of their speakers.
One of these declared that the same
old crew that ran the offices in Deer
Lodge county before Silver Bow
county was organized was now In
Butte running the political machines
after the same old fashion. Another
asserted that ne had worked and
voted with the Republican party all
his life, but that it was now 50 cor
rupt be was compelled to leave 1t.
This was the tenor of the remarks
INDUCED in. and the conclusion was
reached by the meeting that the ct
ter was to correct the evils COM
planned of way to organize q Peoples
movement, irrespective of party, and
put an Independent ticket in the
field that would command the SUI
frages of those who condemned the
corrupt methods employed by exist
ing parties in nominating candi-
dates.
A convention was called, and
nearly fifty delegates met to carry
out the wishes of the Centerville
meeting. A platform was adopted
which in substance DECLARED that the
and Republican parties
in this county were run by political
s~yn0icates" which were corrupt and
which failed to reflect the wishes Of
the people in selecting candidates
for office, and called upon all
citizens who desired a pure admin
istration of county affairs to join the
Peoples party.
Thus far the originators Of the In
movement acted consist
but now tt e hand of the Re-
publican bosses was e They had
the wires which led the INDIE
movement to this point
Unseen. They had arranged the
puppets with artistic skill and now
hey were made to dance to the music
If the bosses. The nomination of
Mr.. Eugene Sullivan for sheriff was
permitted to be made unchallenged.
He is a Democrat and the bosses sup
posed he would draw sufficient votes
Mr.. Walton, the De nocrat 6
andidate, to defeat the latter and
lect Mr. Kessler the Republican cam
Iidate. The puppets danced splen.
idly.
But now came the crucial test which
Vas to try the sincerity of the Inde-
endent or Peoples party movement:
he Republicans were determined
he convention should endorse their
!ominee for Treasurer, Mr.. E. G.
He, with Mr.. Eva, Mr.. {
and Mr.. WEIGH, was {
laced in nomination. At this point ,
1r. Sample IL. Orr, of the dele
ates and, by the way, one who had $
ntered into the movement with the l
urest of motives, ''smelled a mousse"
lie desired to address the convention.
'ermissiOn was granted. In a few >
'ords MI. Orr pointed out the in =
consistency Of such a nomination, l
nd explained how the convention =
'ould stultify itself by maxim it. !
lie pointed to the fact that the con- l
had in the platform which it y
ad just adopted, denounced the {
means by which candidates T.
pom the Republican and Democratic l
ckets had been nominated. and de- y
AIRED that by endorsing Mr.. Frey v
'hlag the convention would endorse u
le corrupt methods by which that y
received his nomination -
the hands Of the Republican con- u
Mr.. Or1's remarks con- u
ined so much good sound sense and
ere received with such loud demon
rations of approval that not a single Il
legate had the temerity to reply to "
m. a
The nominations were then recon- -
Tered and those who were not in :,
e ring supposed that the conven- -
N would adhere to the sentiment "
pressed in its platform and sciect a a.
ndidate for treasurer who was uu- =.
lEted with the corruption which, it 81
Is declared, dripped from the gar ="
ents of every candidate put for
lr6 nv tho old portioo pur hove i.