The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-15
ADMITTING THE TRUTH.

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the republican party who have been
asked to explain the causes of their
overthrow at the recent election have not
hesitated to allege that it was due to
Misrepresentation by the democratic
press Of the effect Of the Mckinley tariff
bill upon the necessaries OF life. They
have presumed upon the credulity Of
their listeners by repeating the false
hoods put forth by the republican con-
gressional campaign committee, of which
one is that the effect Of the changes in
rates of duty under the Mckinley bill
twill be in no case to increase the cost
to the American consumer of single
article which can with any propriety be
called necessary household expendi-
ture." The committee knew the falsity
of the statement when it was penned;
the intelligent portion OF the republican
press recognized the absurdity Of such
an assertion in the face OF tine facts, but
refrained from exposing or even admit
ting it during the tendency Of the cleo
ton. Now that the election is over it is
only the demagogues among the leaders
Of the party and the ignorant among
those who control the republican journ-
ais, who adhere to the falsehood. The
fact is admitted by candid members of
the party, that what democrats alleged
about the effect Of the tariff in adding
to the cost of living was the truth.
Among other papers that have owned to
the truth since the election rout is the
Chicago Evening Journal, republican
protectionist organ, hitherto, of the
strictest sect. In it's issue of November
Z the Journal said:
The sweeping democratic victory of Tues
day last, extending practically all over the
United States, was due simply to the dis
satisfaction of the people with the provis-
ions of the Mckinley bill. There was no
other general issue. The voters of the
United states have declared that they do
not want tariff of the sort imposed by
that measure. 1t matters but little that
the nature of the bill may not have been
fully understood. It matters but little
that the battle was fought before the ma
terial effects OF recent legislation were just
| ly apparent. The verdict has been rendered
and reversal at any time is most unlikely.
but only those which need protection. There
must be tariff for revenue. but no tariff
which increases the cost Of the necessities
of life or tends to the consolidation of
great interests or the building up of mo-
nopolies and trusts. Public sentiment ia
properly influenced by that Law which il
the first law of nature. the law of self-pres-
eruption, and the effect is, and will be, a
rising up in arms of anything which will
make the rich richer and the poor poorer.
A tariff which makes monopOlies produces
such results. It has been decided by q
mighty jury that the Mckinley bill provid-
ed for taxation of this class.
The admission, coming from such q
source, is surprisingly candid. The
Journal has heard the warning and
needed it. More than this, it advises a
retreat. 1t declares that 'sthe Mckinley
bill must not stand unchanged. II
must be modified in almost it's every
feature. A national caucus Of the party
has been held and it's leaders must obey
the dictates Of that caucus. There is nc
occasion for delay until democratic
congress has assembled and a republi.
can senate given assent to the changes
required But the Journals advice
comes too late. The republican major.
ity in the Fifty first congress cannot re.
cede in it's second session from the act
Of it's first session. The democratic
party is the party Of tariff reform, Of
economical administration OF the gov
eminent, Of opposition to the establish
ment of class enjoying special privi-
leges, and to the democracy the people
have turned for relief from added bur
dens OF taxation. from extravaganza in
the administration OF the national
finances, and for the thwarting OF the
plans for the creation Of q privileged
class. The party cannot afford to disap
point the people, nor will it