The Anaconda standard., 1899-03-26

pose of protesting against the Amster-
dam avenue grab and advocating the
passage of the Ford bill for the taxing
of franchises. A number of speakers
presented their views to the audience
yet each in succession started out by
indirect apology for participating in
the movement
In other words, the bold and fear
less champions seemed to fear the
wrath of the corporations. They re-
Trained from any direct or vigorous at
tack. In discussing the companies
which have taken possession of the
streets of New York, not one reference
was made to the Manhattan company,
which not only occupies the streets, but
defiantly holds Battery park in its iron
grasp. The speakers seemed to feel that
they were present to perform a political
and not a moral duty. They labCred
Vehemently to arouse prejudice against
political organization. but failed ut
terly to strike at the root of the evil.
They acted more like trimmers and
danglers than like honest advocates OF
great cause. They were present for
political effect and with effusive as
surances of friendship, delivered lily
disguised apologies to the Goulds and
Sages. Is it any wonder that reforms
are so frequently smothered? Is it sur
prising that corporate greed should trl-
umph?
Tammany has a duty to perform to
democracy and all the Vaccinations of
malicious mischief makers will not
sWerve it from the path Of duty. The
attempt to disrupt the party in New
York will prove futile. Tammany
Is the bulwark of the eastern democ-
racy. 1t can afford to laugh at the con-
temptible designs of it's enemies 1t
n nf 1n laI ir,tn
| gle with those who would divide the
| democratic party into factions. 1t will
| continue on its way in the middle of
| the old democratic road, carrying the
| banner of the party where the battle is
| fiercest and winning victories where the
enemy is most determined. The repub-
lican conspirators and the assistant re-
publicans who parade under the name
OF democracy may as we'll put that in
their dhudeens and smoke it to their
hearts content.
At last the New York Journal has ta-
ken a stand on the silver question. 1t
is opposed to making the silver issue
prominent in 1900. 1t says that Is to
would be a losing issue. I see that
Charles M. Towne also believes that
other issues now overshadow that or
coinage. The political Kaleidoscope is
moving rapidly. Measured by events
the national convention is a long dis
tance ahead. The journey thither will
reveal numerous pitfalls and many
signs of warning. The war with Spain
revolutionized the political situation. III
| its effect it was war against silver,
and we may as well look the situation
| squarely in the face. The silver cause
must and will triumph some time in the
future. But Is the Journal a reliable
| judge of public opinion on the subject
of the next national platform?
| Let those who travel answer.
Recent occurrences in the state legis-
| latures have served the unplea SAINT end
| of making more conspicuous than ever
| the notoriety of Montana as bargain
and-salp commonwealth. Money has
| failed to do in several states that which
| was found to be possible in Montana in
| the way of a senatorial purchase. This
| fact has served to bring into prominent
| notice the forthcoming Butte election.
! That city's choice of a mayor would
| not. under ordinary circumstances, at
| tract the Easts attention. But the fact
| that the recent purchase has been
| wrought into a plank in the Butte dem
| ocratic platform has been noised abroad
| and in many political circles here, where
| Montana politics have been recently
| discussed, people are guessing whether
the Butte voters are going to grin and
| bear it. Butte election returns will be
| awaited here with a degree of interest
| incomparably greater than has been the
| case in any former year.
| JOHN M. QUINN.