The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-05-23
THE WEEKLY TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY. MAY %. 1891.
FREE COINAGE PLATFORM.

Mr.. Thomas VI. Carter processes f
believe that no man can be elected pres
ident upon a free coinage platform, there
fore he thinks the republicans Of the
state will not make ii a direct issue il
the next campaign. The gentleman thus
expressed himself in his recent st. Pau
interview. Mr.. Carter may speak by the
card in these matters. but the TRIBUNE
begs leave to differ with the gentleman.
While it does not pretend to map out the
republican national or state platform for
the ensuing presidential campaign it
predicts that the republicans will have a
plank in each favoring free coinage.
They dare not 90 before the people of
the west with a platform which entirely
ignores the existence of the silver ques-
ton. And why should they! Their or
gans and stump speakers in the west
ern states have contcnded and do still
contend that the republican party is the
friend Of silver. ard although the action
of its representatives in congress. belle its
words, these same organs and speakers
are among the loudcst. in silver produc-
ing states. to declare their allegiance to
the white metal. If they are honest in
their declarations the TRIBUNE can see
no reason why they should eliminate all
reference to the free coinage of the metal
from their platforms.
Again these same authorities hold that
the platforms upon which Harrison was
elected favored free silver coinage. 1t
certainly will bear that Interpretation.
Here is the plank as it was adopted by
the national republican convention held
at Chicago, June u. 1858:
The republican party is in favor Of the
use of both gold and silver as money and
condemns the policy of the democratic
administration in its efforts to demone
tie silver.
The state platform of the party was
much more direct and Mr.. Carter was
elected upon it. Now, why should this
switching, Of which the gentleman
occur at this late date: Is it to
pave the way for Mr.. Harrison to veto
the free silver coinage bill which the ,
next congress will surely pass unless the
republican senate go back on its last
record: or is it to force western l
in line with eastern gold :
bugs: Whatever may be the reason. it l
will cut no figure among Montana rcpub- l
leans. Although Sanders and Power !
and Carter played in the hands of gold !
last winter. and although they will :
to a~ntagonize the interests of Y
the white metal the republicans Of this !
state dare not 60 before the people next |
year with a platform minus IA free silver !
coinage plank Should they do it their
PARTY will toe showed under So deep in
this state that the rays of II century Of
July suns would fail to warm them.
For these reasons the TRfRrNE must
differ with Mr.. Carter in his uniform I
predictions. Still there is Just a bare c
possibility that the republican party Of Il
will take Carriers hint and for u
-'t TO incorporate q silver plank in its >
although it is hardly in the u
'angc Of probabilities that it will take Il
ms method To commit political hari u
iarI. Il" this as it may, Nh. Carter has u
Laced his party in this state in rather a >
position hy his st. Paul talk.