Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-14
AFRAID OF THE FACTS.

The Democratic members Of the legis-
lature at Helena. voicfBg the sentiment
Of the Democratic voters Of Silver Bow
county and of the state Of Montana,
anxious to bring about a cessation Of the
deadlock, made overtures to the Repub-
licans looking to that desirable end,
For the text Of the written documents
and for the report Of the manner in
which they were received and treated
read THE MINER Of Sunday. With the
knowledge that the vote Of precinct No.
81 had been honestly cast and legally
returned, and that the illegal and vio-
lent assumptions of the county canvas
sers had interfered to try any rob them
of the fruits Of victory, the Democrats
held and still hold an invincible po-
sition. No one of the Silver Bow Repub-
lican claimants believes that he was
elected, or that he has a shadow Of q
title to a seat, ave that which is aft
orded by a meaningless paper, handed
him by the back window trio in Helena
which declared itself out Of existence
almost before it existed, in order to
carry out a pre-arranged plan, to arbi-
trarily rob the people. For this there
was not an iota of excuse. Honest men,
In the discharge of honest duties, to &C.
cOmplish an honest result are not in the
habit Of hiding themselves like sneak
thieves. The knew they had done a
greyious wrong and with their guilty
consciences were afraid to look decent
men in the face. The conduct of the
state canvassers clearly gave the lie to
any ~pretensions put forth that they were
actuated by any but the basest partisan
motives. But for an excuse, slim as it
was, they begun to yell fraad in pre-
cinct No. "a, and have kept up the cry
ever since. Now they are called to a
halt. The Democrats, with a patriot
ism that is at once an evil
dence Of a conciliatory spirit and
pledge Of their sincere desire
to proceed with public business, even
they had to make concessions to
do SO, have suggested a plan out Of the
difficulty. 1t is one that should COM
mend itself to every honorable man. 7
They offer to waive every element that !
stands in the way and, with the Republic 1
'ans. enter upon a full, fair AMI searching .
Investigation Of the facts. and upon the :
'esults stand or fall. Nothing could be 8
more eficacious, nothing could be fairer. e
how was it received? With con- Q
empt and derisiOn. The co~nspirators !.
they saw in the honorable prop =
q tendency toward a back down b
nd at once became more insolent. a
he suggestion was attacked with tech a
ical objections and inuendo, but fatty y
Thus the case stands. The q,
emboldened by the delay tc
hey have thus far caused, propose to tt
their revolutionary program, u
nd cheek it out. They dare not inquire '.
al
Ito the facts. The high handed acts of ty
two %canvassing boards and the Presi- dc
have answered their purposes so d.
OIL that they will continue to defy pub N
; opinion, But how long will it last. -
Heir present attitude is indefensible fo,
ION any theory with honesty as a DO
undation. This the people know, and no
they are afraid to meet the issue and PEI
ow the fraud they have 80 loudly pro- J"
Timed, now that an opportunity offers,
by, by their refusal, confess their
inns were but a bare-faced attempt to !