Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-10-10
THE QUESTION OF MIS- TAXES.

AS the political situation seems to in
dicate the denomination of both III
ley and Bryan a discussion of their res
pective merits as men will involve to a
great extent the threshing over of old
straw. 1t is not at all likely that either
of these distinguished gentlemen lave
deteriorated to any appreciate degree
as to personal qualities. On the contrary.
both have doubtless broadened out in a
knowledge of public affairs and are per-
hars mentally stronger than when pitted
against each other in 1896. 1t is at least
a seasonable and sensible inference that
insofar as individuality goes neither has
deprecated to any great extent.
Naturally enough, the democratic press
Dramatically assume that Bryan has
made few if any mistakes, while the re-
publican press are equally sure that Nc
Kinley is above criticism in that direc-
ton. The determination Of what is or is
not a mistake depends largely upon the
randpoint Of observation. That which
reflects glory upon Bryan from Q demo-
cratic point of view might be Looked upon
as a grievous mistake when looked at
through republican eyes-and visa versa.
It is always necessary to discover the po-
litical complexion of the critic before his
dogmatic assertions as to the making Of
mistakes can be properly weighed. Par
t;se ,ship poac RI an DiuCfifah1a and rid
iculous extreme when it denies to any
popular party hero the possibility of max
ing mistakes.
After all, it is not a question Of whether
a ma does or does not make mistakes.
but a question of their character and i'm
portance. That which is palpably a mis-
take in the acts Of a public man may
signify little to the people, whereas a
popular burst of wisdom in the formation
OF new issue may bring incalculable loss
to the nation. 1t is not at all improbable
that Mckinley has made mistakes here
and there in the matter of appointments.
where his knowledge of character and fit
ness vas necessarily gathered from the
testimony of others. If he has not done
so he has escaped the experience of all of
his predecessors in the White House
from Washington down, and has per-
formed a feat in the line of intuitive
judgment hat will never be emulated by
a successor in the presidential chair.
DIT c,,cI FOL IN, o~> 80 .;>a, 49,
portance. They have little bearing on
the general welfare of the country, ana
rectify themselves. Like the mistakes
made by the people in electing municipal,
county or state officials occasionally who
are woefully recreant to their trusts, the
evil is OF brief duration and of compare
tive little Importance to the future of the
country. The real mistakes--the mis-
takes of judgment as to matters Of ma
tioral concentrate what build up or tear
down the republic in all its essential fea-
lures. Such mistakes may be of far
reaching Importance when made. In
fact, they may set in motion a series OF
causes and effects that can never be over
taken, and finally result in the collapse
OF our national life. A mistake Of this
kind was made by President Buchanan,
the last democratic executive to sit in
the White House till the advent of Gro
Yer Cleveland, when he permitted the
enemies of his country to seize the ar
senals Of the government and lay broad
and deep the foundations of the secession
movement, without raising a hand in pro-
test or triking a blow in defense of the
country he had sworn to protect. 1t re.
quired the mightiest struggle in modern
times to rectify that mistake.
The mistake made by Cleveland in pro
jecting into our industrial and CONNER
cial life a national policy Of comparative
free trade-a policy now acknowledged b,
TIE great body Of the people irrespec,
tive of party, to have been foreign to thu
business interests of our country-precip
itated one of the greatest and most far
reaching periods of depression eve,
known. Ruin stalked broadcast over tn,
land. 1t was a mistake that could b.
rectified only by a return to the polio,
Of protecting our Industrial interest!
through adequate legislation. This wa.
lone. and prosperity has returned.
~
So far. President Mckinley has mad,