Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-06-29
THE GOVERNORS DEFENSE.

public questions. One way is to say moth.
ing on either side Of the questionable
system usually pursued by the Anaconda
Standard whenever a difficult or embar.
RAISING problem arises-and the other
way is to give both sides of the proposi-
ton and draw a conclusion from tbs
facts-which is the plan pursued by the
Inter Mountain in carrying out what il
believes to be the true functions of the
press. A course of procedure that is
manifestly unfair is to give but one side
of a controversy and jump at a conclu-
sion without reference to the landing
place. Perhaps the Helena Independent
is the most conspicuous example of this
type of journalism in the state, notwith-
standing the ability with which it is ed
tied by the excellent gentleman who or
naments it's tripod.
The manner in which the distinguished
governor Of Montana recently became
e%ntangled in the labor troubles of an ad-
joining state, is a case in point. The
Standard, true to it's system Of evasion
when brought fac to face with a serious
problem Of local interest, said nothing
1t was too busy trying to prove that q
noted Catholic missionary was worship
ping at the literary shrine of a famous
agnostic, to bother it's head about an
alleged infraction of the laws of this state
by the military arm OF the government.
In line with its usual custom of debat-
ing public questions in it's own humble
way, the Inter Mountain reviewed the
complications at some
Finally. when the question as
sumes the shape of a direct issue of We
racity between the governor and the men
who have accused him of wrong doing,
the Helena Independent flies to the res
cue of his excellency, and, without giving
reaches the conclusion that MI. Smith
has been unjustly assailed.
Keeping constantly in mind that fair
play is the essence of controversy, and
believing that both sides should have a
hearing, the Inter Mountain not only
published the kilograms which passed be-
tween Governor Smith and General Mer-
riam, n which We're given out from the
executive office in defense Of his excel
lency. but yesterday we reproduced from
the columns Of the Independent the fur
Their defense made by Mr.. Smith in the
which the executive of this state unfor-
tunately finds himself.
1t appears that this defense on the part
Of the governor was called out, not by the
seriousness of the allegations made as to
the military invasion of Missoula county
by federal troops, and the desire of his
excellency to have the public revise it's
opinion as to the Importance Of that act,
but by the fact that five dollars contri-
buted by him to the Occur d'Alene relief
fund had been returned by the committee
unused! The accusations made failed to
elicit a rejoinder from the gubernatorial
chair as to the merits Of the controversy
until his contribution was returned to
him and his efforts to smooth matters
over with the gentlemen to whom he had
given offense met with a sudden and
definite rebuke. Then realizing that me
gotiations We're off," as the diplomats
would say, he blossomed into a defense of
the course he had pursued.
1t cannot be said, however, by those
are cognizant of the facts, and who
have analysed the governors defense
from hat standpoint, that his excellency
has succeeded in clearing the atmosphere
to any appreciate extent. His declara-
the punishment Of crime have nothing to
do with the case. Every good citizen will
agree to the proposition that men who
commit crime should be punished as
the law provides. Aside from an occa-
sional extremist, who is labor's worst
enemy when adjudged from the influence
he eXerts upon the conservative elements
Of the country, there is not an intelligent
workingman in the state of Montana who
does not approve of the enforcement of
and the punishment of crime. That
of the case is not in issue. The
governor betrays the weakness of his own
when he would have it appear