The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1899-11-25

sion business. Lyttleton Price
dropped out, but said nothing.
/ Willis Sweet dallied along in a
heartless sort of way until the
campaign was over and then
washed his hands. Judge Rich
ards prayed in secret and repented
in public. Thousands of Silver
Republicans saw their folly and
quietly voted the Republican tick
ct. Mart Patrie stuck to fusion
because it prospered him. He
was loyal for exactly the same
reason that Governor Steunen-
berg, Sam Hays and other bene-
ficiaries were. 1t was Just as
honorable in Mart Patrie to be in
the fusion deal as it was for Frank
Steunenberg to be in it. They
were there for the same purpose,
and although radically opposed to
each other in principle, if the word
is admissible, they smothered such
principle as they had and cordially
united on a division of the spoils.
Now, Mr.. Patrie perceives that
fusion has run its course and it is
condition, not theory that con-
fronts him. He must either join
the Democrats, return to the Re-
publican party or become politi
ical maverick. He has wisely de-
cided to get back among the Re-
publicans. While Mr.. Patrie may
not be inspired by the Hottest mo-
tives, yet he has done nothing
worse than thousands of other
Silver Republicans have done,
and which in view of the issues
raised in the last year, patriotism
demanded them to do. But we
leave Mr.. Patrie to tell his own
story. Following is his letter.
Boise, Idaho, Nov. IS, 1899.
My Dear Sir:
1t occurs to me that the time
has come, when it is desirable,
not to say important, that those
that have been acting under the
Silver Republican organization in
the State should freely inter-
change their views and opinions,
with the object of ascertaining
the sentiments among us with ref
erence to future work.
The history of our organiza-
tion in this State dates from the
campaign inaugurated as the re-
suit of the action taken at the St.
Louis convention. The Silver
Republicans of the State an Ma
ton furnished some very strong,
and brilliant campaigners for
Mr.. Bryan's election. Towne,
Dubois, Hartman, Mantle and
Cannon were all members of the
national congress and became &C
tive workers in the national cam
paign.
As a national organization, the
Silver Republicans became, es-
pecially in the western states, a
strong support of the Democracy.
but as a national party Organiza-
tons, / suppore that it must be
admitted that we at no time cut
much of a figure, except as ar
auxiliary of the national Democ-
racy. Under this management
all the distinguished men above
named have been retired to pri-
vate life. Idaho elected Popu-
list to succeed Dubois, through CO.
operation between the Populist'
and Democracy. Montana refused
to elect Mantle and he is succeed
ed in the Senate by a Democrat
Hartman has been retired from
Congress in Montana, anC
Towne has been turned down il
Minnesota. Cannon, most de
serving for ability, has been de
feated in Utah. 1t will also b,
admitted that the reinstatement
of bimetallism is no nearer an &C
complished fact today than it was
when our leaders walked out o
the St. Louis convention.
do not see then that, up t,
date. ANYTHING has been accom-