The Ravalli Republican., 1898-08-31
THEIR FRANTIC EFFORTS.
The frantic efforts being made by

The frantic efforts being made by
some Montana politicians to effect a
fusion between democrats, populsts
and silver republicans may be anus
ing to some, but to those who admire
political consistency and sclf-respect
they border upon the contemplate.
1t is useless for the Would-bc fusion
lists to attempt to conceal the fact
that desire for Office is the sole mo-
tive underlying their so-called coop
clmtlvc scheme. Remove the possible
itv Of securing the coveted Office, and
nearly every fusonist shouter would
drop back into the original party
ranks,
These seekers after fusion are u.s.
ing the silver question as the step
ping stone to their ambition, the
large silver interests Of Montana be-
ing urged as the reason why all her
citizens should unite in securing
greater monetary privileges for that
metal. An appeal upon this basis
may secure consideration in some
quarters, bnt the impossibility Of do
ing anything in that direction in the
immediate future is 50 apparent to
the ma ajority Of thinking citizens,
that they look upon the issue as
simply Il subject for political agita-
tors. Whatever may be demonstrate
cd by the events Of the next few
years, it has been proved by practical
experience that most of the silver
arguments OF 1896 were rallacies Of
d most profound type.
The Montana fusion scheme is one
Of the most absurd political comedies
ever put on the boards. For years
past, some Of the wouldbc fusionists
have been assailiny the democratic
party for its free trade procliyitics,
political hcrcsics, general jncompc-
tcncc and unworthiness Of public
trust; and yet, for Il certain considc-
rAtiOn-to- wit, an office for them
selves, these former critics Of Mon
tana democracy express their willing
ness and burning desire to fuse with
the object of their political enmity
to the end that certain offices shall
be secured for democratic nominees.
Principle or consistency does rot en-
ter into the question:: office is the
paramount considerations.
The relations between the silver
republican wing and the popu|ist
wing Of the proposed fusion would be
cause for Wondcrment: were one tC
| lose sight OF the Office seeking move
mcnt underlying the whole business.
The populiSt cause has been the spec
iAl Ob Get Of attack and ridiculc from
| the most active and prominent silver
republican fusioniSt in the state. 1t
! is not so many months since lie pub
IicIy dcridcd what he CALLED the pop
llist craze, suggesting that the pop
uist remedy for human ills might be
the crossing Of the centipc(c and the
hog, in order that the result might
be ii new variety Of pork producers
that would yield a hundred or moro
hams TO the animal. And yet this
former traduccr oi the populist party
is trying to effect Il dickcr with tho
object Of his ridiculc, by which nc
hopes to secure office through the uiC
Of populist votes.
There are men OF political honesty
and self respect in all parties, and tt
them the efforts of the fusionists viii
appeal in vain. Each party has men
Of character and standing worthy o
public confidence and trust: whether
these shall be retired in favor Of flls
oLists ayitators and adventures i
Il question to be settled by the par
ties themselves. The spoils may bt
a tempting bait, but the surrcndc
Of political consistency and self re
spcct is a high price to pay for them
River Press.