The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-08
SILvER-EDGED CARTER,

0DAAAS 49,
sILvER-EDGED CARTER.
The democratic state central commit
tee has done honest service to the vot-
ers of Montana in issuing for their infor-
nation q plain and unvarnished etate-
ment of the record of the republican
party in general, and Carter in particu-
lar, on the silver question. One perusal
of it knocks all republican regeneration
on the subject higher than kite. It
makes no attempt to impute motives.
1t is simple record of deadly facts,
every one of which can be vouched for
The republican party IN the state Of
Montana is hard hit and young Mr..
Harrison's trail blazer can't help show
ing a little natural irritation. But he
really should not allow his church going,
lottery booming, all things-to-all-men
newspaper to forsake the precious paths
of truth on that account. That is
scarcely consistent, we submit. He may
have been misinformed, Of course. If
80, we will be only too happy to take
back the "sly, underhand," &C., &c. Pos
itively, he may have as many copies OF
the dodger as he pleases; and the gen.
eral distribution has not been carried
out by masked men, as he seems to sus-
pect.
Mr.. Carter's action in the matter is
already pretty we'll understood through
out the state, but our darling boys"
mediumistic performance must be un-
derestimated or overlooked. Briefly, the
silver producing states demanded and
still demand the free coinage Of silver.
The democratic platforms of Indiana
and other states, manufacturing and
agricultural, declare in it's favor. Out
side of our own silver circle, the repub-
lican party maintains chilling silence.
Any such scheme antagonized the plans
of Window, Reed, Mckinley and Harri-
son. Mr.. Harrison's friends will not
object to his being put in the rear. It
is but right that the dog should wag
the tail. The dog and it's tail had lit
tie plan OF their own, which was rammed
down the throat of a republican caucus
and finally forced upon tho country.
The administration silver bill was 'de-
vised to be hostile to silver; it provided
for bullion redemption; it degraded sill
YER to the level of an ordlsary commod-
ity; it put the fate OF the metal abso-
lutely in the hands of secretary of the
treasury who is VIGOROUSLY opposed to
the metal" The party lash was whist
ling, and the bill became a law. Ton
republicans were found with the cour-
age of their convictions. Carter was not
one. He was untrue to his pledges and
to Montana. When the test vote came,
Carter was paired with democrat; but,
in large letters. a free coinage democrat.
The vote against free coinage was 120
to III.
There is some most perverse destiny
that keeps evil watch over our darling
broth of boy. His intentions are al
ways of the best. He says so and it
must be so. But, in his short life as a
member Of congress, he has done more
to help macadamlze certain broad
highway that leads to the other place
than many declared evil-doer. Poor
Tom, it's too bad. He did want so badly
to vote 70: free coinage. The boys at
home wanted it. OF course, he did. So
did Reed. Rut there, it was another
mistake. just like that telegram from
st. Louis. And the public buildings
for Helena, Butte and Benton. And
the right of way through the park to
Cooke City. And the opening Of Fort
Ellis reservation. And--but it's no
good going through the long
list. The luck's just dead against
our Tommy. Look at this silver bill. II
he had just understood, he could have
had this free coinage democrat paired
off with an anti-silver man, as was right,
instead of with his free-silver, silver
self. He could have voted then, and
the vote would have been 119 to 11S.
When you come to that fine point, con-
slider Toms influence in the house and
curse his and Montana's hard luck.
Reed and Mckinley are his friends.
Why, with his rustling powers, he could
have had them both vote for the free coin
age bill, and Montana would have had
her desire. But hang the luckl He
did his best when it was too late. His
kind friend Reed allowed him to cover
his nakedness in the bright, new folds
OF the government bill, and Tommy
cayorted around and whooped her up
for all she was worth. It Is perfectly
wonderful to think Of what Carter would
have done for Montana but for his mis-
cradle luck.
In sober earnest, it is high time tina,
the miserable pretense Of interest il
silver by the republican party should b.
brushed aside. The republican part,
in its entirety is not the friend of silver
and never was. It 10 the humble seryan
OF tho gold bugs Of Wall street, who ga,
unto it do this" and it doeth it. Here
in the center Of the silver states, tn,
party favors free coinage. It's existence
depends upon that profession. But ",