The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-26
THE WEATHER
ALL WORK FOX SILVER.

The condition of the silver interests
in Montana is fast becoming serious.
Unless relief is soon had. it is quite safe
to say that many mines in this state will
be compelled to shut down for an in
definite period. Within the past week
the Butte and Boston company closed
down their mill, the Alice has closed its
sixty stamp mill, there are rumors that
the mines IN the Black Pine district
and that the big Blue Bird will also
close. A stoch.holder in the Combina-
ton, of Butte, is reported as saying that
that mine, too, will soon be obliged to
shut down unless times change.
This is indeed alarming, for 1t signifies
bad things in the future. 1t is ali be-
cause silver is struggling around the 80
mark with a downward tendency.
Should the present Bland bill fail to be-
come a law there can be no other pre-.
diction than that silver will fall very
much lower. With tins appalling pros
pect, is it not time for the republican
newspapers of Montana to join with
their democratic contemporaries and
make a hand to hand fight together for
free coinage? The prospect that the
bill will pass IN the house is exceed
ingly good, despite tilibustering at
tempts to shelve it. It is certain that a
majority Of the representatives are in
favor of free silver, and with the mag
nifcent and untiring leadership Of MI.
Bland it is believed that the measure
will be forced to proper consideration
and passed. Then it will 60 to the SEN
ate. OF the eighty-six senators fifty
four come from states which are dis
tinctly southern and western, and Of
which the people demand free coinage.
If their representatives in the United
States senate do their duty they will
work and vote for the passage of the
Bland bill; if they do not do this, they
will be treacherous and disloyal to the
interests of their state. After passing
both houses the bill will go to the pres
ident for signature. There comes the
rub. Will he veto the bill in the inter-
ests of the gold bugs of Wall street, or
Wall I6 6lSA / III oO0ulduCo w Ul0 ulll-
versal demand of the majority of voters
in this country?
We regret to see a disposition on the
part Of republican papers in this state
to ignore the discussion of so important
an issue, presumably on the ground that
it is bad policy to endorse a measure
which it is popularity believed will re-
ceive the veto of President Harrison.
Such a policy is not in accord with true
loyalty to Montana and honest endeavor
to build up the interests of the state.
Not only should our representatives in
congress be urged to work night and
day for the passage Of the bill, but Pres
ident Harrison should be given to un-
derstand that Montanians, democrats
and republicans, mine owners and MN
ers, and all others dependent on the
prosperity of our greatest industry in
sist that he shall do his honest duty to
the country at large by attaching his
signature to the bill if it comes before
him.
When the price Of silver, as it is TO-
day, renders it necessary for the closing
down Of two out Of the six stamp mills
in Butte, it is time for concerted action
all along the line. The failure of the
Bland bill naturally means lower prices
for silver, and, in this event, a paralysis
for the industry in this state.
Let Montana newspapers from Da-
kOta To Idaho. from British America tf
the southern boundary, heartily jon il
campaign for the passage Of the Blanc
bill, 900,