Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-21
is IT ANOTHER PLOT?

Charges OF embeZZlement were pre-
ferred yesterday against VIM. B. Webb,the
secretary OF the Democratic state central
committee. 1t is claimed that the acts
Of embezzlement were committed by Mr..
Webb during his late tenure of Office as
secretary of Montana. The charges were
preferred by a special agent of the Har-
rison administration who was recently
sent to Montana to make himself useful
to the cause Of Republicanism during the
present campaign. About fifteen hun
dred and fifty dollars is the stupendous
amount Of the alleged shortage. Mfr.
Webb was in Anaconda yesterday, and
as OOn as he learned of the star chamber
proceedings which had taken place in
Helena, he repaired to that city at once
and voluntarily presented himself before
United States Commissioner Connolly
and gave bond for his appearance. Ii
MFR. Webb is guilty as charged, the fact
that he is a Democrat, the secretary of
the Democratic state central committee,
nor no other consideration should save
him from the same punishment that
would be inflicted upon the mealest
citizen in the land for a like
misdemeanor. And il guilty the
MINER will be one of the
foremost to see that no such protection
shall be accorded him as the Harrison
administration has accorded to the leg
less Tanner in his dishonest administra-
ton of the United States pension bureau.
But let US know the facts first. Let us
not arrive at any hasty conclusion Of
guilt based alone upon an investigation
Instituted, carried on and concluded by
a lot Of desperate Republican carpet-bag
politicians, who on account of the des-
perate straits to which they have been
reduced in this campaign would not hes
ltate to do anything however libellous,
dishonest and contemplate, that might
reflect upon the character of such a
prominent Democrat as Mr.. Webb. Espee-
tally should he receive the benefit of
every doubt, not only because Of the
character of his ccusers and the pOliti-
;al circumstances adverted to, but also,
the prima facie aspect of the
ease, in every particular. is in favor of
lis unsullied innocence, and which he
most unqualifedly asserts. That it
s a case OF blaekmail Matched i'll
he carpet-bag Office Of the Helena Journal {
or the purposes already expressed and {
and to eclipse the Inter Mountain t
'amphlet farce, there can be but little ,
Oubt. The rivalry that exists between
hese two Republican sheets as to which t
plan and execute the most liballous J.
dastardly 0utrages upon the public r
God and upon private character is such 4
s should receive universal cOndemna- +
ion, if not judicial investigation. The
Ielena Journal of yesterday devoted :
bout three columns of its space to an /,
sensational and dishonest g.
ccouGt Of this case of alleged embezzle %
lent. But the Journal is edited by q t,
arpet-bag editor sent to Helena by Rus
III B. Harrison, Quay and Wanamaker =,
nd other yenal men for the express pur- n
ose of planning and executing venal
hellish political purposes. 1t is died. e,
ated to blackmail, SANDER. falsehOod st
Id the demolition Of every safeguard e
lat protects the liberties Of the people 70
Montana. When the election shall be
er and the grand principles Of Democ- NJ
cy shall have again triumphed in Mon- flu
ma, then will the carpet-bag editor of al
9 Journal pack his grip and the place az
at knew him once will know him no
pre-.
The case Of the Inter Mountain is diff
'ent as it is a home enterprise and it
sent pretend to be truthful and the
liabilities are that it will o die a
tural death. It's principal business is
printing. Although it has reduced 4
subscription price about One-third, it cal
but a handful Of subscribers left and \
ne Of them are likely to bring suit del
ainst it for obtaining money under shs
pretenses, Ia.