Great Falls weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1894-1???, 1896-05-29

Because his name is associated witt
the protective tariff bill, the republican
wool growers of Montana have jumped
at the conclusion that the nomination
and election of Mckinley will be the
means of restoring the duty on wool az
it appeared in that bill. In this view
they are,sustained by the Billings Ga
zettp, the Yellowstone journal and other
republican papers Of Eastern Montana
Tn TRIBUNE has mildly suggested tt
the ~tlockmasters that, in supporting
Mckinley, they are taking their wool tc
a worry p~oorimarket, and because Of this
it has been.subjected to the criticism OF
these papers, notably the Gazette. Let
Us briefly restate our position. 1t is
admitted by even the most ardent Of the
Mckinley men that the vast sums OF
money expended to secure his nomina-
ton werescontributed by the eastern
manufacturers. 1t will hardly be argued
that thisswas done for love Of the indi-
vidual, and the only reasonable cOnclu-
sion is.that they were prompted by self
isl motives; that they were making an
investment upon which they fully cX
| pected to- realize d return in the event
Of bcssuccess of their man. In plain
English, Elf nominated and elected, Nc
kinney would W the honor to these
manufacturers who bought it for him,
and he would to the best of Instability re-
pay them byasfurtheripg any object they
sought. The candidacy Of Mckinley,
from ite inception up to date, has been
without d redeeming feature. It has
beou marked by IL cold bloCded, deeper
ate selttshness unparalleled in the his
tory Of American politics. Unblushing
brlbsry and intimidation were the
weapons. Dignity and principle were
thrown to the winds. and the motto was,
"No matter what the means, get thcre.''
This is known to ali men who read, yet,
in spite Of the record, the Montana wool
men have led themselves to believe that
he stood for Ii principle and was entitled
to their support, lie stands only for
Mckinley for president and TO secure
tina. coveted position is ready to sacrifice
al except the men who have made its at
t%ainment possible, and they are the man
uSacturers. The TRIBUNE has said that
these men, the manufacturers, are the
enemies ofsthe wool growere. It uil lot
say 60 uEonfita WI authority. but quoted
The letter Of Senators Mantle and Carter
and Representative Hartman, who de-,
clare that the manufacturers now want
what they.havo always fought for, free
wool and protected woolenB.' Certainly
these men knew what they were saying
when they made the statement, and we
only attempted to call theattention of the
growers 10 it and TO impress upon them
that if opportunity ever offered Mr., Nc.
kinney would surely side with the manu-
facturere. whose candidate he is, rather
than with the producers Of wool, This
WAS what We said ard what We now
repeat.
Now comes the Gazette with the as
aertion: "Ihe republican party never yet
elected a president who WAS owned by
anybody" This we Will not argue, but
we will say that never in the history Of
the party vas there ever 20 open and SO
fragrant a use Of large SUNG Of money to
purcF aae q nomination as has been used
for Mckinley, and it has been contrib
uted, TOO, by only M GIase, and that a
claee thar is persistent in lis demands for
Legislation and administrative influence.
Proceeding, the Gazette says; 'rHE
TRlHrHh cannot maintain an argument
on the false premises that Mckinley is
opposed to wool, The record is against
it and cannot be perverted"
This quoting the record is richness.
Mckinley also has d record on the tinan-
cial question, and his friends in the west
are moving heaven and earth to prove
tina! he is in favor OF silver, aud they
quote the record to prove it. On the
other hand, bis friends IN the east are
asserting that he is a Sound money"
man Only a few days ago, General
Alger, Congressman Grosvenor and
others made an especial visit to New
York to convince Wall street of this, and
Mark Hanna has authorized a statement
to the same effect. Mckinley is not say
ing a word. lie will not define his pres
ent position. He is all things TO all men.
Anything to get the nomination. After
that, If it comes his way, he will reward
his friends, the manufacturers, and let
the balance of the country rustic. Don't
talk about his record, it cuts no figure,
He Hill blot it out. just now, he has no
views on either the tariff or finance. and
after election, should he be elected, his
views will be prepared for him by the
gentlemen who favor "free wool and pro
| tected woolens.'
T1AI