The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1885-04-02

The notice of the republican caucus was
handed The ADVOCATE for publication
and A. i. Carter said he would publish
It, He neglected or refused to publish it
just the same-Sioux Valley News, q.
Although seemingly signifying but little
the above may be construed, in the light
of recent events, into an item of no little
import to THE ADVOCATE, because in a
measure it questions the republicanism of
what all along has been the only straight
republican newspaper in Lincoln county.
In order to get at the real drift of the
whole matter we must turn back few
months and look over the field. In 1888
John w. Hewitt was elected mayor of the
city of Canton. There was no republican
caucus, no democratic caucus, no mug
wump caucus The people canvassed the
mayoralty and the al6ermanic question on
election day, ard elected ticket. In 1884
the same rule was followed. Mr.. +. A.
Gale was selected mayor without opposi-
ton, there being no caucus of any kind
for the division of party lines Mr.. Nash
heartily supported Mr.. Gale, through the
columns of the News, and did not seem
to think that he was endangering republ
canism by thus supporting democrat for
mayor. We did not think at the time
that political lines should necessarily be
drawn in municipal contest, and coincid-
ed with Brother Nash in the support of a
democrat. Party matters at that time
were running higher than at present. 1t
was county, territorial and presidential
year, and if there was ever necessity for
drawing party lines in a city election it
was last year. At that time Brother
Nash's action were exactly opposite those
of to day.
But change has come over the spirit
of man. The scene shifts, and we are
brought face to face with the present.
Some ten days ago petition was circu-
lated throughout the city asking Mayor
Gale to become candidate for re e-election
as mayor. 1t was signed by l03 voters of
Canton and represented so far as it went
the best element of the city. The peti-
ton was handed us tor publication, and in
our supplementary remarks we stated
that it was recognition of which any gen.
tleman might feel proud. And it was.
1t exhibited to certain degree an express
sion of the commentator felt toward his
administration, and represented the salts
faction of SO large number over his ac-
tions during the year. There had been
no talk OF holding republican city eau
Gus, aud it was generally supposed that
the precedent established two years ago
was to be followed in this case The AD-
vocATE did not commit itself to any one
candidate, but felt that in the light Of past
events that Mayor Gale was entitled to
some little consideration at the hands of
Canton voters, and that the people would
do we'll to re elect him as mayor for the
coming year. On Thursday forenoon we
were handed a call for republican caucus
in and for the city of Canton, signed by
four members of the committee. The
paper was already in press, and the notice
was too late for publication last week.
Had We supposed that our fealty toward
party service was to be questioned because
of the absence Of the call, we would have
ourselves in order to give
the call the general attention that should
be allotted to all matters demanding par
tisan attention. But it was not necessary.
It is for the people to decice at the caucus
tonight whether or no they desire to
draw strict party lines in this municipal
contest, untrameled by personal vindict-
tiveness and free from individualism.
The press should not be considered dicta-
tors, but rather advisers. If majority
Of the republican voters Of the city of Can
ton shall decide tonight that it is abso
lutely necessary and essential that city in
terests shall be extinguished for the eleva-
tion of partisanship, The ADVOCATE will
be with them. If it transpires that a
minority have met simply for the purpose
Of securing a redress for personal differ
ences existing between man and man, we
shall not feel bound to support the noml-
nees of that caucus. AS republicans we
shall do all in our power to advance the
interests of party that stands to-day
morally and in every way ahead OF the
crowd now in power, and as republicans :,
We shall do nothing to in anyway retard
the prospective future success Of the or
ganization we have sworn (by an unwrlt
ten law allegiance to. But we don't
propose 10 be dictated to by one who is a
republican for revenue only, or by anoth-
er who is republican through policy
only. We refer to two members of the cen
tral committee. We will take Brother
Nash's record as criterion of his fealty
to the republican party.
In 1874, when the greenback movement
throughout the United States bid fair to
become popular and controlling issue,
Brother Nash was one Of its ardent sym
pathizers. Although not formally taking
leave of the republican party, his actions
were such as to leave many assured OF his
boiling proclivites had the measure con-
tinued to grow in popularity. But with
the death of that party Brother Nash re-
turned to the republican fold and has been
a sort Of vacillating member ever since.
In the election last tall he bolted the reg
,,1or f;olot OIL xh.o,ch r,aro1v nnysonal