The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-20
STRAIGHT OUT FOR GOLD.
There's No Silver in Frank
Coombs' Makeup.
IS CANDID IN SAYING so
Reports Are Circulated That He Il an
Ardent Silver Man. but They Are
Absurd-etands on the st.
Louis Platform

Great Falls. Oct. 1s.-One Of the men
whose political views the local gold
bug organ has taken particular pains
to define is Frank Coombs. the nomi-
nee for state senator on the gold re-
publican ticket. His b~iosrapher does
him the following injustice: He has
always been q wheel horse of the re-
publican party m is ar ardent silver
man" The first part is absolutely
true: he has always lone without re-
ward. all the heavy work Of his party;
part Ii false, and out of justice TO the
man, these columns are for the second
time bound to set hin right before the
people of his home. The facts are
these: Frank Is an honorable business
man and a good citizen. He has al
ways been a republican, and he Is to-
day. He stands sQuarely on the 81.
Louis platform, but he has been the
victim Of most malicious misrepresen-
tation from the start. and ever now
his enemies are circulating the report
that a few days ago. while campaign
ing out In the country, Frank stated
tina he would, without n mental res
ervation, vote for w. q. Conrad for the
United States senate. That u a false
nOOu, Anu uO Onc Will EtSCAt ~ 4bktAtf
than Frank himself when the report
reaches his ears.
When Carter came to this city. early
In the summer, and rummaged through
the political attic of the republicans OF
this county for senatorial lumber that
would be all right for Carter, he found
nothing hat would suit him. j. Tai
liant was pushed forward. but that lit
tie episode OF the 1896 campaign was
still in Carriers mind; L. q. Phelps was
also suggested inc that was much bet
ter. but a close nvas of the county
showed that he could obtain but two
votes, his own n another. and OF
these one was doubtful. Finally Car
ter quit the attic and took up Frank
Coombs. Frank did not wish the job.
He was busy: he had . big gang Of
men making brick for the Boston &
Montana company and he could not af-
ford to leave. The more he objected
the stronger grew Carriers conviction
that Frank was the man Of all 9TH
ers. He was ndelity itself to Mantle
and Carter, and IL seemed that he had
a certain amount of popularity In the
county. Next Tom Miller and Mr.. Phil
lips of Helena were sent up to per-
suade him and their efforts have al
ready been portrayed I'm these columns.
Carter came down himself. but In spite
of all this labor Frank remained sus-
~picious. Finally. In despair. Carter APP
piled to Frank Klepetko of the smelter.
The latter is another one of the repub-
licans who Is honest enough to state
fatty that he indorses the st. Louis
platform. and Coombs is under obliga-
lions to him through the brick con-
tract. Just what passed the
two Franks is not known, but II In easy
to see that Coombs knew he was deal
ing with an honest mar and that IL
would be better to please his employer.
He consented to run and from that
time to the present he has been the
object of the most absurd stories print
ed by his own party organ
SO far as Frank Is concerned, his de-
feat next month will please him as
well as a victory would under other
conditions. He has always been an
honest man and his short intimacy with
Carter cannot make him otherwise
When he found that his friends had
gone out and under a mistaken kind
ness had cards printed with silver re-
publican candidate for state senator,
placed under his name. he ordered
them destroyed orthwit That Is tbs
kind of a man he IL. There is no sill
yer. german silver or quicksilver re
publican about him-he Is just a re
publican. a 81 Louis platform repub'
iican, a consistent believer in the single
gold standard. As to his campaign M
will command the votes Of men In thu
republican ranks who believe as M
does. and he will not thank anyone fol-
voting for him because they him hin
to be a free coinage candidate. Such
honor and honesty In rare In politics
and II Is therefore a pleasure to set hin
right. particularly when the ape 4
which he had looked for a fair deal
has 90 misrepresented him.