Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-12-09
WILL GO IT Al ONE,

of Montana will refuse to cooperate
with the democrats in 1900.
Not only are the leading men of the
former party effecting a strong organiza-
ton for political work on an independent
basis next year, but. it is currently re-
ported that official organs will be estab-
lished in Butte and Helena in the near
future, backed by ample capital to en-
sure their financial success.
To all appearances, harmony prevails
among the populistic leadership to a
degree never before known, notwith-
standing the representations made in
some of the democratic papers to the
effect that they are engaged in an in
ternecine struggle that threatens the dis
ruption Of their party.
Prominent ropulists have no hesita-
ton in declaring their purpose to make
the fight Of their lives for supremacy
next year, and are equally emphatic ia
asserting their fiXity Of purpose to nave
no political union with the democrats.
me populists feel, and with reason.
that they have received from the demo-
cratic party the most shabby treatment
that could possibly be accorded a politi-
cal organization.
In 1884 the populists were numerically
twice as strong as the democrats, as the
vote for congressman shows.
Clevelandism had practically DESTROYED
the democratic party in his state, the
finishing touch having been put on when
the present local leaders Of that party
forced a resolution through the state
convention endorsing the course pursued
by that eminent gold-bug.
With every vantage ground occupied
by the populists they came to the rescue
Of the democracy in 1896, with an implied
understanding as to a division Of the
state offices.
After the election it developed that The
populistic governor was a democrat ii
disguise, playing into the hands Of hat
party Whenever opportunity offered.
He was detected in the act of shedding
his political skin and promptly turned
down by his former party associates in
his own home, when delegates were
selected to the next state convention of
the peoples party.
He tried to force himself into that BODY.
and finally accepted "a seat rendered nv
courtesy of his former friends to the
executive Of the state.
Then, he used the trifing ADVANTAGE
thus attained to endeavor to break ~
the convention and stampede its MEM
bers into the democratic ranks n,,kino
a signal failure of the effort.
he was scheming to do in the populist
party what Hartman had agreed TO do
IN the silver republican party-turn over
his followers to the democracy.
The democratic leaders, who had haen
magnanimously saved from utter obli-
won by the %populists in 1896. We're behind
these malignant
Nor did their scheming to break IN
and disorsanize the populist party and
the silver republicans end with the
apostacy of Governor Smith from the
former organization.
Hartman accepted the nomination for
congress from these two silver parties,
declaring that he would carry their
standard to victory.
He conferred with their committees
and set forth elaborate plans that would
force the democratic candidate from the
field and ensure his own election.
Then under tho porer Of I,rly,~r. ~
conspired with the democratic leaders to
withdraw from the race, without con-
sulting the silver republicans and popu-
list committees, and take the field for
the democratic nominee.
He not only did his but went into
court to prevent the man nominated to
fill the vacancy caused by his resignation
from placing his name on the official
ballot.
The shameful acts of Hartman, as we'll
as the reprehensible conduct of Smith,
We're brought about by the local leaders
Of the democratic party, who are now
adroitly fishing for populistic and silver
republican support next year.
1t is already on the programme for
Hartman to pose as a silver republican
leader, and re-enact the comedy of again
trying to deliver his hosts to the democ-
racy.
If possible, some populist of promin-
ence will be seduced into performing the
same ceremony in the ranks of the peo-
pies party.
However,, there is no populist as yet in
sipht whn is known to- be in training for