The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-09
THAT AFFIDAVIT MILL.

THAT AFFIDAVIT MILL.
When the main track Of discussion is
encountered and blocked with the high
handed illegality and upprincipled ras-
cality of republican canvassing boards,
both state and territorial, it is only
natural that the unblushing advocates
of the blacklist job in the history Of a
free country should take refuge in side
issues. We have substantiated every
charge that we have made in these col
umns. Repetition would be an insult to
the intelligence and honesty Of the vot
ers of this state. "Those who have ears
to hear. let them hear" When the re-
Turns before canvassing board are such
as to enable them to decide the vote cast
for candidates, and when these returns
are duly certified by the proper author
tiles, then statutory duty is to summar
ize these returns. Nothing more and
nothing less. Their functions begin and
end there. If in doubt, consult Judge
Hiram Knowles.
But we are referred to affidavits. At
fidavits are the gospel of the republican
party in precinct "a. They shirk from
discussing the legality OF the action of
their canvassing boards. But they hang
on by their eyebrows to their affidavits.
1t is not surprising. We ought to be
forbearing and remember what they cost
them in hard cash. The loss Of common
honesty and the obtrusion of suborna-
ton of perjury may 60 by the board.
Demands patrol among the hills must
not be forgotten. A delicate reticence
ought to be observed as to his character
for veracity. Perhaps, though, he for
got to consider this in the bill he sent
in. His satellites, too, must have cost
good deal of money. They had free
hand and they ate and drank of the best.
The bitter disappointment of it all, too!
Money going a-begging. Not enough
rascals in the whole country side to
empty that fat, republican pocket-book.
Three thousand dollars offered here, five
hundred there. And tho beggarly result!
Only seven affidavits to show for all that
outlay. And the treachery of the
men they got the affidavits from!
1t is sickening. Absolutely, when they
sobered up from the effects of republic
an forty-rod, they had grace enough,
when their lying was made clear to
them, to deny it all in counter affidavits.
The ingratitude Of this world is incred-
ible. Whisky, money, principle, all
given away for seven affidavits.
Who Charles johnson was, we don't
know. We never had the pleasure Of
his acquaintance. We question il it was
at all a desirable acquaintance. We
doubt if republicans themselves know
Charles johnson from Adam. We do
not believe they could tell of his where
abouts at the present moment. We
should suppose him to be the creation
of that forty-rod whisky, and his affi-
davit myth. But we are inclined to
believe we have got on his trail In an
affidavit by j. NJ. Carmickle he states
that while on trip from Butte to Camp
No. 2, the wagon, in which he was 60
ing, was hailed by party of seven OF
eight men whose names he did moi
know.
These men spoke to the freiRhter will
whom was riding. and asked him to sign al
affidavit that he voted the republican ticke
ton held Oct LIST, 1889. They told the salt
freighter that unless he signed the affidavit
there he would have 80 sign it in court. ant
that if he would sign it they woul'
get him good job, a better job thai
he had Their. The freighter refused
81 az ha ofHAovSt nfh0
affidavit and he did not sign an,
affidavit at that time. There was a Swed.
on the wagon with us. l do not know HI
name. He was what could call pretty full
These same men spoke to the Swede, and
after giving him about three drinks o
davit, which they read over to him before
he signed it. The Swede had said, while
they were talking to him and before signing
the affidavit, that he had voted the republi
can ticket with some exceptions at thu
Tunnel precinct 81 on October l. 1889. bu
when questioned closely he could not stat,
whom he had and whom he had not vote,
for, except that he said he had voted 70
Power. The affidavit as read to the Swed
was that he had voted the republican tickle
at said precinct and time, with some excel
tions, the exceptions not being stated.
Was this the festive Charles johnson
or was he just variation Of Williar
Brown, who made affidavit that he ha
voted, when investigation proved tina
his name was not even on the registr
list and that he had neither voted NJ
attempted to vote.
Let us have no more bluff about thes
wretched, worthless affidavits, unless
be an admission that they are the mo
damning proof against the gigantic I
publican job.
The affidavit procurers claimed befo
the board of canvassers to have Il
sworn statements of the following m,
that they voted the straight republics
ticket: James English, Jacob Whale
William Brown, John A. Anderson,
, E. Album, Andrew Green, Axel Ande
son and J. Peterson.
English testified under oath that
voted the straight democratic ticket a
refused to make an affidavit at the
quest of Bernard and others that he b
voted the republican ticket; Whal
swears that he never made any af6da'
that he voted the republican tick
Brown does not exist and no such m
yss on the registry list or pol book <