The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-18
Mr. We bster Ia a member OF the National Ex-
ecutive Committee of the Union Reform party.
NO LONGER A POWER ~ MONTANA.
Populists and silver Republicans Returning
to the Old Parties.

Populists and silver Republicans Returning
to the Old Parties.
HELENA. Mon. June lit is the consensus
OF opinion in Montana that the Populist party
has ceased to DO n potent factor in politics in
this state. 1t apparently received It's death
blow last fall when the Democrats, assem- bled
IN state convention at Anaconda. declined to
affiliate with tho Popust convention. and
Gov. Smith. tho accepted leader OF the Popu-
lists. walked out OF the convention hall and on
tered that Of the Democracy. where he was re-
ceived with great Joy Tho Populist Conven-
ton made no nominations except for Con-
gresham.
Porulism for six years had been decided
power in Montana politics. largely because Of
the states silver interests. Miss Ella Knowles
was the first nominee Of the party for an Office
OF any Importance, that OF Attorney General
in 1892. Tho belief was prevalent for several
days after election that hcr candidacy had been
successful. and 1t was not until the more re-
mote agricultural vote was reported that this
idea was dlspelled The Popuists. however.
N were rot a,ptrciy outdone in that memorable
shortly atterward married Miss Knowles .' and
aLpoipted her Assistant Attorney General. ~
many counties. and Robert b. Smith. their
SboinIgre855ional pomnee, had every reason to
had been elected. until a week alter election
DAY, when the agricultural vote again came to
LLilr rescue oi me Republicans. The PopuliStS.
however. made such a strong showing in this
campaign that. two years laier. they were able
to aictate the terms Of fusion with the Demo
state and the Superintendent OF Public In
ftir nn;n,,,; leaving to the Democrats the
Treasuror.. They also got their fav0r-
it,, IT, doctrines into the platform This
sSf'f the T Gee ss is sSne1 9 ia, afFs "r1
furnished fully one half of the votes Tor it In
IS H., cane their Waterloo Going 70 the r-
publican conventon at Anacondn pr 'Si, to
demani.ths lions share. they actually received
GresE was third in the race A further oyidnnca
OF weakness was the fact that they failed TO
make nominations in several counties where
a part q their ticket. ~ 'e"S'
The ,Popuists received most Of their Access
disgrunted Republicans sought comfort with
tho SILVER Republican organization. In both
ton Like the Popusts. the Silver Rorub 'cn nS
are rapidly losing caste and every sign inii-
GATES TINT the ma!contents. with few excep-
t"nS. VIII T." IounC back in tn" two old parties
iin 1900. The Silver Republicans reaiizc that
th en-, state has never before. witnessed such
seen on every side under the present Admins
Tx-rnitcd States Senator Lee Manila II is
announced on apparently good authority. viii
again be found in the Republican ranks durinr
H sta ~T Ii yaT , a9nE With his pnpsr 70
5. Hartman in the cause Of freq silver thai he
WaStI a war OF words several times with
Speaker Reed on the floor OF tho House Of Ier-
rgseutatives in the last session of Congress-
Inc state napcrs have it that he. too has fully
determinod to return to the Republican party.
MRntl" and Hartman were the body and soul
OF Silver Ecpublicanism in Montana
Gov Robert B. Smith. in EXPLANATION OF his
sensational bolt last fall from the popu,ist Con
V"Hton To the democratic. said in substance
that before 1896 he considered the Dnmocrntir
pledges IN behalf Of silver by means Of interrn-
uonhl himrthlliSm tO he "al hosh" and ho
l"iG"d the People party on account of its frank
declaration Tor IRE" silver at the ratio OF IL to
i ,lrr"si~ctiyo Of Other nations bur when his
old party adopted a similar plank at Chicago,
he felt it his duty TO return to it. Similar ron-
sons are assigned hy many who have also abon-
doncd the Popuist party ""'
/, "hlle II appears to an impartial observer
that only two tickets will ho found on the
official ballot next fall It ia only fair to say thai
the Populist leaders are indignant in their de-
mails nc, their party j. on It's last legs Snrro-
thry OF state Moore. Commits icner Of hGrcuI-
ture tald"rhcad and Ella Knowles Haskell
essay To maintain the organization. and pro
dict that success will yet crown their efforts
IN" fonu lat vote in 1914 for Congressman
was ll'tG'. but it was unduly large on account
81 tho ncrsonnl popularity OF the candidate In
the same election the PoruIist candidate for
Associat" ,.lustic" OF the supreme Court re-
better measure of the party strength.