The new North-west., 1896-08-07
BUTTE CONFERENCE
COUNSELOM THE SIT
UATlON AND HARMONIZE.

Present, But Are Only a Handfui-.A
Friendly Gathering.
IN pursuance to d call issued by Chair
2nan Mantle of the State Central commit
0ody, together With q considerable num-
Der Of prominent republicans from Eari-
GUS parts Of the state, met at Butte on
tuesday, for the purpose, 50 far Us the
committee was concerned. Of naming
place ana date for the converting OF the
neNt republican state convention and
transacting other necessary business, and
Tor the further purpose Of securing u con
ference upon the situation, and obtaining,
50 far us possible, an expression of opin
ion as to the best methods for establish
ing harmony aud maintaining an effect.
i've organization Of the party within the
state.
Chairman Mantle, Vice Chairman Geo
W. Irwin, L., and Secretary Tom Cum
}nings were tile officers present aud is
counties We're represented by delegates
or proxies, making d majority OF the
committee. Col. Sanders, with a small
following from Helena, constituted the
main strength of the McKinleyites pres
ant though the wool counties represented
We're, as to committeeman, generally
youched for by supporters Of the ST.
Louis platform. .~s".
While sharp discussions arose, not un-
mixed with recriminations, mostly ema-
nating directly from OF called forth by
Col. Sanders and the segmentnt his back
the meeting was conducted in & far more
~&onciliatory spirit than might have been
expected and was in the main a satisfac-
cory one. The most important develop
nents Of the gathering We're in the over
powering superiority of silver's strength
within the party throughout the state
Which was clearly reflected, and the gen
orally prevailing desire shown for a har-
n0nious ad justment Of the differences,
i'll so far as united action may be taken
Cor the selection of a single state ticket
1t is true that the immediate Sanders
coterie were in favor Of no compromise
whatever, and that its truculcnt leader
introduced Il resolution which in fact
made q pledge to support the St Louis
nominees the sole test OF republicanism,
but the faint sympathy with such eN
treme intolerance was plainly shown in
the nearly unanimous vote by which 1t
was opposed, and the resolution tabled.
The plan for organizing and the subse-
quent procedure of the convention, which
was presented by Vice Chairman Irwin
and somewhat elaborated by Attorney
Ed. Booth and others, met with warm
general approval and was adopted by an
overwhelming vote. This provides in
effect as follows: That the convention
shall proceed to regularly organize. all
republican delegates to participate with
out prejudice, the St. Louis platform to
be adopted in toto, with the exception of
the financial plank, a state ticket to be
chosen, and then the silver republicans
to withdraw and each wing to put up an
electoral ticket, both to have separate
campaign committees and manage their
own affairs.
Under this arrangement a solid state
ticket is secured and in all respects the
provisions of our voting laws can be OBJ
served. 1t will be recalled that every
party must act under separate and dis
tinct names; that they must certify to
their nominations to the secretary of
state, aud so be placed under appropriate
and proper head upon the ballot. The
silver men will thus be required to as
sumo name, probably that of "Silver Re
publicans," and thus be placed on the
ticket.
Although the meeting as has been said
was in the main pacific one, it was not
altogether without dramatic incident, and
there were some lively passages at arms
between those of opposing views. Col. San
ders forced discussion upon the main is
sue that has so suddenly and so strangely
grown up to make opposing forces in
free silver Montana, and made two char
acteristic speeches in support of single
standard Of gold To those who have
studied Col Sanders style of logic an
analysis of his remarks need not be given;
he certainly showed his inability to do no
more to justify the Wall street conspir-
acy than has been attempted by far
greater speakers from its inner circles.