The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-12
THE BABY.

It is easy to manufacture political tin
As easy as lying. Administration or
ganettes have been as still as church
mice regarding Neidringhaus's extensive
mportations of the Welsh article. 1t
was a hard pill to swallow. No doubt
about it. The great tin patriot had
voted for the Mckinley bill. He had
saddled the working people of this coun-
try with Repayment Of IN additional tax
on an article Of everyday consumption.
But his motives were of the purest and
most patriotic. Who can doubt it,
when he thinks of the tin-man's associ-
alton, with honest John Wanamaker,
with the seraphic Quay, and with the
h~igh-souled Dudley? 1t is strange how
circumstances and the stars in their
courses seem to fight against these
pious men. With every intention to do
their very best according to their lights,
they are constantly finding themselves
in the most embarrassing positions.
Positively, if their regulations were not
well-known to their fellow-citizens, they
might be mistaken for rogues and sci.
fish dogs. But every one recognizes the
fact that the motives of Neidringhaus
were OF the most disinterested charac-
ter. 1t was the ambition of his life
time to build another great American
industry. II laboring people had to
spend a little more OF their ~hard-earned
money in consequence, they were Amer
aO~ ;{,,~- --l -l-,1l " --z, -
suffer in a good cause. If an apprecia-
tive and smiling providence should bless
Niedringhaus with a good many more
thousands of dollars, the wills above be
done. His was not the nature to rebel.
He had voted for the additional tax,
and some day a grateful people would
rise up and call him blessed.
But with what a flourish of trumpets
came the announcement that the pa
triot of st. Louis had placed a large or
der for pig-tin with the Temescal min
ing company of Pomona, in the state of
California! Here was a specimen of the
rapidity with which the wisdom of the
Ohio p%anjandrum had justified itself.
4tAS4AI1ACt a lCpOlfOu ulldU VIZ SllOulA
produce our W pig-tin. He had set to
work to effect the result in his own pc
cullar way, and hey, presto, the tin was
there. The statement was one that
might we'll create doubt and suspicion in
the minds Of men who were well-informed
on the situation. They had given fire.
quent expression to their belief that the
production of American pig-tin was a
Pigment of protective imagination. If
any such order had been given and was
in process of being filled, it was Of the
utmost Importance that the truth
should be known. If a mistake had
been made immediate correction was in
order.
Mr.. Neidringhaus has been inter
viewed. No one will venture to deny
that it was in his interest to substanti-
ate the bona-ides of the order, if he
could do SO. He had voted to bring
about a certain result. IF that result
had been already brought about, he
could seek for no higher tribute to his
statesmanlike and commercial sagacity.
1t was an opportunity of a lifetime for
an aspiring politician. But the St.
Louis man believes with Talleyrand that
h purpose of speech is to conceal
thought. He was kind enough, how
ever, to throw a flood of light upon the
methods of the successful business man
OF modern days. He had placed an
order with the California Tin
Certainly. 1t amounted to $4,000
pounds. No, he had very little knowl-
edge Of the mines. had heard very flat
terlng descriptions given of them, and
in his business that was sufficient. His
informant had seen them on a pleasure
trip through California. A sample of
their ore? No, he did not think it was
necessary for him to see that. Just
when the shipment would arrive at st.
Louis, he really could not tell. The
order had been placed a month ago.
With whom no positively did not recol-
lect at the moment. The location of the
office OF the tin mining company and
even it's name had also by some curious
freak escaped his memory In fact,
what he did not know of the matter was
miraculous. He has made a large DUR
chase, when he cannot say, nor can he
tell OF whom he made it.. That Is the
way of the commercial world. He our
chases the product of "A mine that he
knows nothing OF, on the tscommenda-
ton OF a passing tourist. That is quito
consistent with business caution. He
has no idea when, if ever, he will receive
his goods; in fact, proves himself in
every way worthy of a desk in the
philanthropic firm of the Cheeryble
Brothers, whom Dickens has immortal
lied.
With every desire to be charitable and
thoroughly honest, we submit that the
Neidringhaus order proves nothing-ex-
cept our first two statements. 1t is
easy to manufacture political tin, as
easy as lying.
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