The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-05
a GATHERING STORM.


6ald, Ill
A GATHERING STORM.
The force bill is meeting with power
full opposition from two sources that
cause much embarrassment to it's re-
publican champions. The most intelli-
gent republicans in the south condemn
it and the labor organizations through
out the country are opposed to it. The
Tennessee republican convention last
week refused to put plank approving
it in their platform; republican mass
meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, de-
clared opposition to the enactment of
such law, and 300 "citizens residing in
Admission, Alabama, who have recently |
removed from northern and western
states" have signed petition earnestly |
protesting against the proposed legisla-
ton, giving these reasons:
~ It would array race against race,
cause great riot and bloodshed, and en-
gender bitterness of feeling which is
hardly conceivable.
h ~ It would check the progress Of the
south, which is one of the fairest por-
!. lions of our common country; cause a
ldoss Of confidence in southern invest
fments, and stop the flood of immigration
which is now doing SO much to make
I this prosperous, happy and united
people.
e. 81 It would render the republican
party in the south odious to the intelli-
gent, virtuous, and tax-paying people
/, thereof; disturb business relations be-
tween the north and south; cause pre-
3judice and hatred to spring up which
have not existed for many years.
On Mr.. G.. M. P. Turner, prominent
y merchant Of Memphis and an ardent re-
!, publican in politics says "the contem-
splated bill would be not only an insult
to the true citizenship of the south, but
the most despicable outrage Of modern
:. times. It would be an assassin's blow
Il at the temple OF liberty and the SOW
s'ereignty Of the states. The republican
Who is sufficiently intelligent, honest,
and reputable to represent the Tenth
! district of Tennessee can announce his
z candidacy, and, il he possesses the popu-
!, larity to win majority of the votes of
slthe district, he will have no trouble, I'M
der the impartial democratic law now
!, extant, in having those votes cast and
counted for him. No Force bill is
. needed, and If it should be come law
? the man who would invoke it's provisions,
AIN the state OF Tennessee at least, would
be too UNANIMOUSLY low and cowardly to
represent a reputable community in
congress or elsewhere.
J 81 am not democrat on principle
and never will be, but as man and a
Geitizen, having at heart the best inter
sAsts, welfare, and happiness of my coun-
try and my countrymen, these are my
sentiments. My views may not possibly
accord with those Of other men who
hold themselves out as republicans.
> That is q matter of absolute indifference
TO me. am not that kind of republi-
loan who thinks the country can be bet
Tered by strife. I am and have always
h,been and will ever be the humble advo-
cate Of the greatest good to the greatest
fnumber. The Force bill would bring
good to nobody. 1t would be curse to
the republican party and a vehicle of
strife in the midst Of a people who love
law and order. The sentiments of hon.
esty, patriotism, and true manhood
fought to, and I hope will, defeat the
Force bill in the senate"
Similar protests come from other lead
ing republican business men of the
south while Mr.. I. V. Powderly, repre-
senting the organized labor interests of
the country, sends forth a ringing pro-
test which concludes with the words:
"That law passed the house of Repre-.
sentatives without the advice or consent
OF the people Of the United States. II
was hastily passed and without due con-
sideration. It should be reconsidered
and published to the world, so that
those who are to be governed by it may
know what it is in time to express their
opinion on it before its passage into law.
According to rule there is no probability
that that will be done; and the next
best thing is for the people to send in
their protests to the senate against its
passage by that body. Our members
should act at once and ask the senators
from the various states to voice their
sentiments on this measure when II
comes up for consideration. The name
OF every congressman who voted for tina,
law should be published to the world
and the citizens who are opposed to suct
high-handed work should scratch then
on next election day."
Will the republican majority in tn,
senate dare defy this sentiment
THERE is good prospect for q ma
tional bankruptcy law at last. TIL
house Of representatives, which ha
hitherto failed to act on the variou
measures proposed, has passed the Tore
bill and the senate, which has alway
favored bankruptcy legislation doubles
win do %. Some changes were made
tho bill in the house, but they were I,