The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-15
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1886.
HIS POINTED TALK.

Inc 1OnBTeSSlOHdl fNeCOlu
day of last week devotes several pages
to the report of a discussion that is of
unusual interest to those who watch
the shaping of events with reference to
the fate of silver at the Chicago con-
vention.
The resolution for the investigation
of bond issues had been under discus
sion. Mr.. Palmer. of Illinois, went out
of his way to remark that the Missouri
democratic convention was a snap con-
vention. This criticism was resented
by Senator Vest who took occasion,
first, to direct attention to the fact that,
toward the end of his term, President
Cleveland had made a remarkable ex-
pansion in the scope of the civil-service
rules and, secondly, to show that the
agents, servants and dependents In the
government service are used, as never
before to do the political work of the
administration. 81 say 1t with deep re-
greet" continued the senator. that this
administration has given its influence,
all its patronage. all the power of elo-
quence and logic on the part Of Its cab
met officers to influence the opinions of
the people"
The senator then gave details re-
specting the interference of the admin
istration in state conventions. He
quoted the case of Nebraska, where an
expression hostile to silver came from
a convention made up largely of post
masters. marshals, collectors and other
democratic Office holders-"men who
are living upon the patronage of the
government and whose lungs are filled
with the air that comes from the treas
ury of the United States"
Senator Vest cited the case of one of
his own personal friends. a democrat
who held an important office in Mis-
souri,. This democrat Mr.. Benton. was
dismissed without notice. The admin
tration heard that he had made a few
democratic campaign speeches; the
president pretended that he did not
want office holders to take part in pol
itics. Yet there has not been a week."
added Mr.. Vest. when there was more
than barely a majority of cabinet off,
GERS present in Washington. They
have been traversing their own states
lunatics.' Have we heard a whisper of
censure from the president respecting
these proceedings"
A few days ago, a citizen of Mon
tana received from Senator Vest a let
ter In which the outrageous interior
ence of the administration was shown
in the conduct of the democratic state
convention in Michigan. That matter
was discussed at length in the senator's
speech of last Thursday Proofs were
produced to show that. of the SOS dele
gates elected to the convention, 1923
were present In person or by substi-
tute. OF the delegates. 497 were elected
under distinct instructions from their
county conventions to vote as a unit
for a sixteen-to-one silver resolution.
Mr.. Vest showed in detail the active
work of the administration people in
working the substitute dodge He
then said: Il am prepared for the
facetious remark that the material for
delegates must have been very poor II
they could have been bought or Sc
duced after they arrived in the great
city OF Detroit. Mr.. President, those
OF us who know anything about con-
ventions know how this proxy system
can be used TO trample upon the will
OF the people. We know that when
money even for travel cannot be OBJ
taIned by the agricultural classes OF
the country there are men holding pub
lie Office under the government of the
United States ready TO pay their owr
way with proxies in their pockets &c
represent upon the floor of the con
ventson a constituency by whom they
would be repudiated. This convention
in Michigan no more represented tht
will OF the democratic party of thai