Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-10-17

portunity to legally vindicate himself,
and prove to his friends throughout the
state that he was the victim of persecu-
ticr, but his attorneys fought every eff
fort to introduce evidence bearing on the
question of his guilt. even going so far as
to secure a writ Of m~anda1nus to prevent
it.
Whether guilty or innocent, the course
pursued by Mr.. Whiteside will not
strengthen his cause before the people.
While q preliminary examination before
a justice of the peace may be waived by
a man absolutely guiltless of the charge
| pressed fear tina he may not be accorded
far play in the hearing, it is a practice
| seldom followed where conscious inno-
cence is in issue. 1t places an inno-
cent man in no worse light before the
public to be held for trial and released on
bail, through circumstances over which
he has no control. than to waive an ex-
animation and be bound over to the dis
trict court and given his liberty on a
bail bond, If he is to be the victim
Of injustice in the preliminary steps,
through any bias or prejudice, the former
course is preferable, inasmuch as the
publication of the evidence proves to the
public the gravity of the wrong-inficted
upon him. 1t is therefore a surprise to
those who believe in the innocence of Mr..
Whiteside that he saw fit to take the
course he did.
Did that gentleman's movements in
this affair concern himself alone the legal
tactics INDUCED to defer his examination
would be of passing interest only to the
general public. But circumstances have
made him the representative of one wing
of the democratic party in this state in a
feul tina has scandalized our
wealth. demoralized the legislative as
sembly. and cast a stain upon the fame
ard reputation of Montana throughout
the length and breadth of the land. The
guilt or innocence of Mr. .Whiteside has a
strong bearing on the course pursued by
the Sixth legislature, for he was the ac-
credited leader of his wing of the dem
oeratic party on the floor of the joint
assembly. He publicly preferred charges
of democratic corruption that have led
to the discussion of Montana affairs in
every state in the Union. Every state
nent that he made was backed up by
the wing of the party which he repre-
sected and bitterly fought with counter
charges by the opposition wing.
If it can be proved that he himself was
guilty of the offenses which he charged
against others, and that his Assumption
of personal purity in public affairs was
merely a disguise, it necessarily follows
that his charges against the integrity OF
others must fall to the ground. On the
other hand, if his innocence be fully es-
tablished. and it be shown that he is
the victim of a conspiracy to destroy ms
character, in order to lessen the effect OF
his statements last winter, additional
force will be given to his allegations, an6
his enemies will suffer accordingly in the
estimation of the public.
l SO closely interviewer with affairs O
e the utmost concern to the welfare of THU
Y state at home and abroad, is Mr.. White
e sides personal character and reputation
r for truthfulness and veracity. that tn
: outcome of his trial on the charge of hay
ing feloniously attempted to bride
o public officer to permit him to manipu
late the election returns of Flathea
county, will be awaited with intens
# public interest. If all attempts to brea
down Mr.. Nhitesjde's character fail, TIL
wing of the party which he represent
will have scored a strong point in til
fight which will be made against Senate
= Clark in December, for additional weigl
70 will be given the statements which
, may see 1T to make before the commi
tee of the United States senate. But
y Mr.. Whiteside has laid the foundation
81 for the impeachment of his own chara,
r. ter, the anti-Clark men will be place
It at a great disadvantage IN trying TO pr
OF vent the newly elected senator from Mo-
lr tana from taking his seat. 1t will
N seen. therefore. that much depends upt
re the final outcome of Mr.. Whiteside
or trial. not only as to the status Of t
to respective wings of the local democra,
in the great feud that has scandaliz
re- the state, but in determining who is al
On who is not responsible III large Heasu