The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-08-19
The President is Hating, Having
Regard TO the Election
In November.
To Be True to His Convictions. or
to Recant for Votes
Only.
Probably tho Latter Course tWill Bl
Adopted-His Advisers srs Not
Of One Mind.

WARRINGTON, Aug. 18.-Ther8 is q matter
requiring immediate decision which, for
many days past. has caused the friends of
President Harrison and the republican
party leaders. the two terms not being in
oil respects ~ nonymous, much perturbation
OF mind and many anxisties and forbod-
ings
It 10 how to handle the force bill question
In the presidential letter OF acceptance.
Mr.. Harrison, after vainly looking for har-
nonious counsel on this matter from his
immediate advisers in the cabinet, who, it
10 said. divided into two nearly equal hos
tile camps on the question, carried away
the topic to be wrestled with BY himself in
silence and solitude at Loon Lake.
It is whispered here that neither in his
peaceful meditation while following the
gentle art of Izaak Walton nor in the re-
cent enforced confinement to his study dar-
ing the Adirondack rainstorms has he been
able to bit upon any solution Of the diff
houlty. He il confronted. on the one hand,
BY the emphatic declarations of his inaug-
ural message in favor Of the exercise OF
national control over elections in the south
srn states 10 a. to secure an ''honest ballot
and fair count" declarations which he
has repeated since on many occasions, with
perhaps slightly diminishing fsrvor ~ theil
unpopularity among a powerful section Of
his supporters bsvams apparent.
Fl On the other hand, he sees in the preeent
condition Of affairs in Alabama, North and
South Carolina. and ethsr southern states
where the whites are almost equally divid-
cd on political issnss between the rsRula,
democratic party and the alliance. hope
fnl prospect Of breaking. up the solid south
and of capturing some electoral votes from
that section, or at least Of detaehing them
from the democratic column.
This 10 project which, from the first,
has bsen warmly cherished by him. He
tried at the outset of his administration ia
bring it about by building up white
mans republican party" in those states,
founded on tho old whig lines. That move
ment collapsed with ridiculous celebrity.
Now, as tho president thinks much more
encouraging prospect opens up of aohiev-
ing like result through the divisions
brought about BY the Farmers alll-
anoe. But should he rsasssrt in his letter
of acceptance his soereive doctrines. lis put
out in his inaugural, he realizes that he
which he now builds hope of dividing the
solid south. He knows--or at least some OF
the moro candid of his advisers have told
hlm-that at the first suggestion of force
bill the south would again become solid
This 10 the Presidents prsdicamsnt. If
he renews his pledges he will again solidify
the south, and if he evades them. he will
ALLEVIATE the colorsd vote, which. in many of
the southern states, holds almost the bal
ance of power.
1t is stated here ON the best authority that
this is the difficulty which is delaying the
letter of acceptance, and that the president
cannot yet determine whether he will bring
tho letter back with him to Washington for
further consultations with his cabinet ad-
visers. before giving it out for publication,
or whether he will trust to his own judg-
mont alone and send the letter direct from
Loon Lake to Gov. Mckinley in Ohio.