Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1894-09-13

the net cost Of the actual expense If
coinage"
Three months ago the Times edi-
tor went 10 sothe trouble aud secured
the opinion OF a few Of the leading
republican politicians in the state
upon the finance question. Hardly
a dissenting voice was heard against
a "straddle" or gold" platform,
Privately the editor is willing to
quote some OF the assertions. The
Times has for some time believed
the finance question to be one Of
utmost Importance. Understanding
the position (as We supposedly the re-
publican party would assume this
fall, the editor Of this paper attended
a populist convention. While the
Times has been careful to say little,
politically, for three months, we have
upheld our silver principles aud tic
necessity Of good financial legisla-
ton. The republican platform is q
good one, no ~ need deny. The
financial plank practically means
free silver" for the expense Of coin
age is ALWAYS deducted, and those
who advocate unlimited Coinage
claim that n, foreign silver can be
spnred for ~ use. The growing
doubt among republicans on the
"money question" is what caused
the Times 10 keep quiet upon other
questions until after the Yankton
convention. We dislike the free
trade ideas Of the populist candi-
dates Tor congress. We admire their
silver views. Now we candidly
admit we agree with the republican
congressional nominees upon the
tariff question. and their silver plat.
form cannot be severely criticised.
While the populists favor govern
ment ownership Of railroads, the
republicans favor legislation for
government or state control. Per-
haps the republican position is
strong enough until the transporta.
ton question becomes a national
issue.
The Times has for years fought
for the protective tariff side in poll
tics and cannot now 60 opposite.
The "money question: is to blame
for our mistake. We are sorry we
wen. into the popuIist convention.
Our vote there did not change re.
suits in the least aud we made no
attempt to influence the action OF
any member. The A,istake was OF
mind, but not Intentionally nor for
effect. Had we the slightest idea
ut that time TINT the Yanktnn con-
vention would take the position it
did, nothing could have induced us
to attend the populist convention.
As soon rs We learned of the tariff
views of the populist congressional
nominees. the Times announced that
it had burned no bridges behind it.
for with a suitable financial plank
we knew that our sympathies be-
longed to the republican party.
True, our members OF congress
voted for silver, but high
authority claimed they had no right
TO because the party was not conf
United to silver. aud it was claimed
that nm anti.silver candidate would
defeat II and the others wouldn't
do the silver nc: any more.
W. did not seek the newspaper
notority when we attended n popu-
list caucus, nor do We now.
Individually the foremost popu-
lists in Lake Preston were told from
the start that we would surely he
with the republican party If it stood
right upon the finance question.
The Times is not for Pstugrew or
Loucks, or against Pettigrew or
against Loucks. We favor certain
principles and certain measures; il
makes no differences to us whether
one side wins or the other in either
party.
Today this article is written with
out any person or persons knowing
that we thought OF taking this posi-.
ton. We do il from principle and
for no other reason. We believe il
principles not policy, hosestv not
partnership would he more closely
followed-our government would lie
more . government OF the people
and for the people.
We believe today that the pop,,-
lists stand a good show to carry the
state, and the ticket in Kingshury
county is bound to be elected in the
lnain, but coming results cut no fig
ure with the Times.
We hope our friends on both sides
will not censure, for there may not
be as much reason to blame us ap-
pears in our mini. We are con-
sci0us Of being honest in these ex-
p%ressions. II any person has sub
scribesl for the Tines with the under.
standing that it wins a firm populist
paper and regrets his action. We will
gladly make ii right financially: If
we possess any SO called campaign
secrets we will give our word that
they VIII not be used.
The Times will be conservative IN
politics. and endeavor to give tie
opposition due respect for their
Opi1ione. Our columns are open
for shor, political discussions from
any political standpoint. The rec
ord Of the republican party. except
upon the finance question, has been
q grand one, and we believe the
party will yet expand the currency
and remedy the evil.
We believe in being hoLest and
Speaking plainly. The editor Of the
49, g. -. 49, - SHn