The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-09-24
OF WEAKNESS
The Fusion Ticket is Doomed
to Defeat.
GOV. STEUNENBERG TO BLAME
Thousands Of Democrats are Compelled TO Assist
in the Defeat Of stsunsnbsrg and VIII
SOn-ReasOns for Doing So.

The following article taken from the |
PocatellO Ad0ance a redhot Demo-
cratic paper, drives the nail on the
head with straight shot, 1: says:
The elements of manifest weakness
which the fusion state ticket must
overcome in order to score a victory
election day is matter that appalls
the alleged we'll wishers of that ticket
at the beginning of the campaign of
general debate and individual analysis.
1t must be further admitted that not a
single distinct element of strength
forms, attaches to or characterizes the
fusion ticket. 1t must win or lose upon
the censurable motive of hypOcritical
defense of a reputed vital financial
principle "for Office only" a motive
that will be more or less discussed by
the voters of every county in the state.
The first element of weakness is dis
covered in the warlike antipathy of the
two platforms of principles which the
fusion nominees, of necessity, must
attempt to acrobatically defend. Here
is the tariff plank of the Democratic
platform:
The Republican tariff law has not
only failed to provide labor the prOmis-
ed relief from idleness and low wages,
but has increased to a marked extent
the cost of necessities, which increase
goes into the bank accounts that were
levied upon in 1896 for the success of
the Republican party.
And here is the tariff paragraph in
the silver Republican platform:
We are in favor of tariff that will
protect American industries and Amer
lean labor; we are in favor of reciproci-
| ty in trade with foreign countries upon
the lines laid down by James &. Blaine,
etc.
The former is a simOn-pure plank Of
the Cleveland type of doctrinal purity,
and the latter is a traditional plank
that will meet the hearty endorsement
of the most rabid Republican protec,
zionist. These two planks are at war
with one another, possessing not a
word nor phrase of cooperation har-
mony-not even breathing the senti,
ment of social respect to each other
and glaringly opposing in their senti'
mental relation to American labor
And so runs the harmony ~ of the
two platforms throughout. To further
reveal the "expedient" fallaciousness
of Idaho silver Republicans we appenC
the following from the editorial pen Of
Warren Foster, editor of Li0ing Is
sues:
When the free silver Republicans o,
Utah endorsed free silver, protection
reciprocity and Mckinley they came al
near getting on ali sides of the question
as is possible. To endorse prot .ctioT
and free trade is not one whit worse
than to endorse protection and reel
procity. To endorse free silver anC
| McKinley's administration is equal,
contradictory and absurd. Ever
though their endorsement of McKinle!
be intended only to embrace that par
which relates to the war, it is still in
consistent. In fact, to endorse hi
war record practically endorses thu
whole thing; for certainly anyone VIII
can endorse his bond issue would flint
little if any difficulty in endorsing tn
rest, SO the free silVerites have practi
cally endorsed free silver and gold
bugism.
Another weak feature of the fusioI
} ticket comes through the salary divis
} ion, which is an apportionment tina
/ will displease hundreds of Democrat
f The Democratic offices and salaries fo
| two years are: Governor $1,000; al
torney general, $4,000; school superb
tendent, $4,000; treasurer, $1,000; min
inspector, $240O; total salaries, $1,000
} Silver Republican offices and salarie
. for two years: Supreme justice, 5000
y congressman, $4,000; secretary G
/ state, $500; auditor, $4,000; lieutenan
8 governor, $1,000; total salaries, QncluC
:. ing six year term of supreme judg'
$4,000. Thus it is seen, by cOmpar
son, that In the fusion deal the silVt
Republicans get not only as man
offices as did the Democrats but doubl
;. the money In salaries, the margins