The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-09-19
A PARAMOUNT ISSUE.

Hon. Carl schurz Writes on tho Use of
Money at Elections
NEW York, Sept. 18.-Hon. Carl schurz
has written letter addressed to the Cleve-
land and Stevenson clubs OF Kings county
and other citizens of Brooklyn, giving his
views on the present national political sit
uation. Schurz was invited to express his
opinion in an address, bpt i'll health pre-
vented. He says in part: "We are told
the tariff IL the chief iasue of the cam
paign. l certainly do not underestimate
its importance in any of its aspects. but
regard it as only part. Far more COM
prehensivs Is q question which is not
merely economic, but political in charac-
tee. and concerns the general working. in
fact, the moral vitality of our democratic
system OF government. There always
has been and always will be money
used in elections for perfectly legitimate
purposes but sums are spent in prssiden-
tial and state campaigns which a generation
ago would be thought fabulous. That
much of this money is used for bribery and
that the evil is growing and spreading from
year to year. cannot be denied" Referring
to party machines, he said, 1.-The develop
ment OF party organization of late years
was largely in the direction of machine
methods. What will the effect be on our
political life? 1t serves to raise up race Of
unprincipled. selfish me rcenary politicians,
and to repel from publio life men with pa
triotic ambition. who wish to serve the
public welfare according to their convic-
tions."
Mr.. Schurz entered into lengthy discus
cussion of tariff questions. making the de-
duction that the republican party
has sort Of tacit partnership
with the bsnefciaries Of the tariff, money
power to do all it can in the way of
furnishing campaign funds to keep the re-
II 40,
ment I'm return the republicans do all they
can in the way of tariff legislation to keep
the moneyed power in the enjoyment of
large financial profit. The republicans tell
us the Mckinley act is the final consumma-
ton of the protective policy. and that
country mover had a protective tariff before
the enactment of which the people were not
assured it was the extreme measure of the
demands that would be made, land after the
enactment Of which there was no olamor for
more protection; and higher duties did not
soon again begin. So it will be again if
with full power. More will be
asked, more will be granted. for
moro subsidy is needed to keep the party in
power" Mr.. schurz devoted some space to
extolling the democratic party and Grover
Cleveland. After referring to Harrison's
administration. he says of free coinee: II
regard the movement as gradually dying
out. If Cleveland il elected to the presi-
denoy he will have moro prestige and will
use his influence vigorously IN favor of
sound finance" He predicted that free
coinage would lose its footing in the demo-
cratic party. Continuing he said the in
evitable action of the force bill would be
revival Of the fear Of negro domination in
the SOUTH and with it violence and disas-
trous disturbance of the relations of the
two races.'
The letter closed with advice to Mr..
schurz's fellow citizens to support Cleve-
lands candidacy.