The Ravalli Republican. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1894-1899, 1895-07-03

~ SJ'lo1totllS " 4 hOl!cdl!d IllU
Of the west generally, would. feel
sure. readily adopt whatever policy
might thus be agreed upon. Should
the proceeding in the democratic ma.
tiOnal convention result as | have
suggested, it is altogether probable
chat coalition 1might be formed be.
tween the bolting democrats and
the boiling republicans This would
OF course be IN independent silver
movement, and with brainy conser-
vatiye man Of acknowledged states.
manship, whose past record in public
life would give warrant Of his intcr-
rlty and ability, such a movement
would take on wonderful proportion;
at bound. That it would thrc...
the election Of a president into tho
,'ouse ol representatives cannot be
/ uoubtcd, with n probability nycn-~i1
the silver sentiment continues tc
spread at the present rate-or scc,lr.
ing a majority of the electoral votes.
But mind you, to achieve these re-
suits, wise, earnest and honest men
men above any suspicion Of weak
ness for the whins and vagaries re.
lating to money and other subjects OF
governmental policy which are pre-.
yalent among certain classes must
be at the head Of such a movement )
'Then you believe that if the silver
question is settled by either Of the
old parties it will be by the rcpubli,
cans?"
"Most assurcdly. The democratic
party has settled no public: question
in half u century. 1t lacks cohesive
power, being composed Of incongruotl>
elements. 1t is divided in nscnt;mcnt
not only on the silver question, but
upon almost every other question OF
national Importance. 1t has but one
common ground upon which it occa-
sionally meets and wins victory, and
that is the spoi]s Of Office Generally
speaking, the republicans arc strong
whore the democrats are weak: hence
their long leave Of power, and hence
the splendid list Of achievements to
their credit"
"What about the popllsts and
silver?"
"l'llc populists are for silver, but
they arc for SO much else that 4 large
majority of the American people do
not want, their advocacy IF tho silver
cause loses much of the force it mi glll
otherwise possess. However, in the
event Of Ill independent free silver
party, 1 think Il majority Of the pop
ulists would support IT,"
"What do you think Of Mr.. Slblcy
as the candidate Of The free silver
party?"
Gle is q good man and a sturG1,;'
and efficient champion Of silver. lie
and &cncral Warner are doing splcn-
did work in the cause. ! think that
the action OF a few gentlemen IN nom
mating Mr. S,ib]cy was premature.
and the circumstances of his sclcc-
tlon are not, Of course, in line with
the customary and popular methods.
However, ] understand Mr.. Siblcv is
ready to stand aside for Il more avail
able candidate should independent
action become necessary. | think a
nan can bcsclcctcd who will command
more confidence perhaps, as Il prcsi+
Dental candidate, and who will draw
4 greater support"
"Ihcn l gather from your talk
that yon are not in favor of organizing
an independent silver party at this
timc?"
II am not. The silver leavcn is
Agitation and cducation
arc doing their work, 1t is right to
let the old parties know what to cx-
pcct if they refuse to recognize silver
fully next year, but in the meantime
my intention is to do all ] can within
my own party to secure Favorable
action. This l conceive to be my
luty.
The republicans Of Montana last
year declared in their state platform
that they would support no man for
office who was not a stauncll silver
man. They meant what they then
said, and you may rest assured that
in next years campaign they will |
adhere to this policy and that they
will always be loyal to the interests
If the state, and that they will refuse
70 support a presidential ticket that
S opposed to full recognition of
silver. I am fully in sympathy with
ny party in this question:"
"What about bridges, scnator?"
luericd the reporter,
II am neither burning, building or
:rossing bridges upon this silver qucs-
ion. ! have not, needed BRIDGES in |