The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-08-19
NOT a SHADOW OF PRooF.

The anti CLEVELAND smut machine of
this city repeats the baseless statement
that sthe President has by patronage,
buIldozing and persuasion overcome the
free silver majority in the House, and
changed it 80 a gold majority,' and
that 'sthe President is guilty of dishon-
esty in his acts and treatment touching
the silver question: then 1t adds: 1.-THE
proof is easy.' This is followed by
nearly column of pointless puerilities.
but not solitary scintilia of the proof
that is $50 easy.''
1t is only raving and gossip. No evil
dence or attempt at evidence is offered.
{. 1t seems like we have heard somethinp .,
is the nearest approach to the proof that
we have called for. That is the highest
level of Tribune evidence. Its forte is
reckless accusation and rash assertion.
In logic and testimony it usually fails
when pushed to details. In generalities
which are not even s'glittering'' it is
proiuse. In explanation and evidence it
is utterly at fault. 1t mistakes repetition
OF a SANDER for proof of its truth. and the
gossip that springs from rumor as conclu-
sive and final evidence.
If any member of Congress has been
bulldczed, or induenced by patronage or
persuasion from The President to change
his views on the silver question, give us
his name and the particulars, the pat
ronage he has secured or the nature of
the bulldozing TO which he has sue
cumbed. 1T seems, W have heard
will not do. Something more definite is
necessary or we are justified in chasing
the whole dirty attack on the President
with other common groundless Tribune
ISLANDERS.
As to the perfect honesty of the Presi-
dent, it is attested by even his strongest
Repu blican opponents. That he has not
changed his views on the financial cues
ton must be evident to everybody who
is not blinded by senseless prejudice.
That there is no conflict between what
he said about silver in his letter of accept
ance and his latest message, we have
demonstrated by reproducing both utter
ances. There is nothing on record that
proves either his dishonesty or incon-
sistency on the financial question.
AS to the error of his position and the
vulnerability of his arguments, thev are
another matter. Everybody has the
right tc attack them with the truth. 1t
is the assault upon him out OF sheer
maievolence and partizan hate to which
we offer objection. There is a wide road
between federation of the man and
objection to foul Islander against him.
We have expressed our views as to what
we regard IS mis- mistakes on the silver
question. We have also demanded PROC
when he has been assailed as dishonest
and bulldozer, and user of patronage to
coerce members of Congress to his views.
That is neither alteration nor accusation.
But the Tribune must not forget that by
implication it has slung the same sort of
mud at the grandson Of his grandfather
the adorable'' BEN. Here is the daub:
'sThe country viii recoilect that the
Senate passed free cottage silver bill
which was beaten in the House last year
by the desire OF members to stand well at
the White House. p Tribune, August, 10.
What docs that mean if not similar
charge against President HARRISON?
Now. If Is is proof OF dishonesty that
somebody says President CLEVELAND
will not approve free coinage bill, -
does it not also prove President HAIR
RIsoN's dishonesty when well-known
Republicans say that he would have
vetoed a free coi7sge bill and that was