The Ravalli Republican. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1894-1899, 1896-05-13
PERHAPS FUSION.
Montana Democrats and populsts Wan,
Offices First .4.

The probability Of some fusion ar
rangcment between the Montana de-
mocracy and the popuists increases
as the weeks go by. Prcparations.fo for
the approaching polical campaign
must soon be made and as the eve Of
battle approaches the Montana de-
mocracy realizes the hopeless mature
Of it's position unless an alliance be
made with some other political party.
Under ordinary circumstances it
would fight the populists to the last
ditch, but just at present it is con-
frontcd by condition which calls
for heroic measures, even though
they be accompa MED by bitter dose
Of humiliation.. ...-
A large element Of the Montana
democracy is out for the offices. Fed
cral appointments will go to rcpub-
licans after thesneXt general election,
and it is the bitter realization Of this
fact which prompts some Of tho
leaders Of the Montana democracy tt
entertain the fusion proposition
They agree that a state office is =;
pretty good thing to have, and il
they are to be Shut out of the fed
eral, the next best proposition would
be an elective state office or an ap.
pointfve position within the gift ot
the state executive. IT is under.
stood that the populists feel about
the same way: they have no cXpccta.
tion of securing the asccndancy in
national affairs, and believe that a
populist state official could fill out
his vouchers and draw his salary as
regularly as any other man.
Both the Montana democracy and
the populists begin to think they
have fought for so-callcd principles
long enough; it has been a record Of
numerous successive dc1f2t,1ls, and the
time appears ripe for joining forces
under a grand rally for a united as
sault in which success means more
or less attractive cmoluments.
But the path toward Il fusion
agreement is strcwn with thorns.
The populists, being the majority
element Of the parties to Il fusion ar
rangemcnt, demand the right to die
tate the terms upon which the deal
is to be made. They want the
cream. 1t is understood that they
arc willing to give the democracy two
places on the state tickct-thc lieu
tenant governor aud superintendent
Of public instruction-r -rcscrving the
rest OF the offices for certain shining
lights of the populist party. Among
the latter it is reported that w. r..
Ramsdcll: OF Flathcad county, is
slated for governor, and George
Washington Sweet, Of Chotcau coun-
ty, for attorney general.
In return for the honor Of being
awarded the nominations for lieu
tenant governor and superintendent
Of public instruction, the Montana
democracy is asked to support the
pOpulist nonliuccs for congressman,
governor, secretary of state, attorney
general, state treasurer, state audi
tor and associate justice Of the sll-
prcmc court, a proposition which it
refuses at present to accept. The
prcscntmcnt that the approaching
election will retire them to private
life is causing the democratic leaders
a great amount Of concern, and some
Of them begin TO cOnccdc that the
acceptance of the cxorbitant de
mand> of populists would be the best
thing under the circumstances.
\ fusion with the populsts, of
course, would require the Montana
democracy to subscribe to the doc
trincs Of that party. Prominent
members Of the Montana democracy,
like Mcssrs. IIauscr, Toolc, Lyman,
Clark aud DAILY, would be required to
express thicr honest belief in efficacy
and soundncss Of the sub-trcasury
plan, advocating the issuance Of cur
rcncy based upon warehouse receipts
for balcd hay, rutabagas, potatoes.
and Il volume Of fiat money that
would remove the necessity Of Silver
Scli-respccting members of the
Montana democracy shrink from such
4 course that requires them to aban-
don their life 'long convictions, but
that is the price set upon the fusion
plan for securing a few state Offices.
River Press.