The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1899-10-28
Political PrOnOuncsm.Dt,

FOiitlcai FfOhouhcemeHt.
Robt. E. McF arland, attorney general
Of the state of Idaho, in the Demo-Pop
administration of 1867 has delivered
himself of political interview. McFar-
land was nominated as a democrat and
we believe still calls himself such. His
interview is in the form Of a letter to
the editor of the Jnliaetta Register and
is published in that paper in its issue
OF Oct. 9th. The letter is as follows:
am in receipt of your commune
cation of the 9th. ult., in which yon
ask VIII the Democrats anb Silver
Republicans of Idaho combine in 1902
and How do you stand on National
expansion ?
Answering your first question beg
to say that in my opinion there will not
be any coalition of political parties in
this state for years to come. Expert
ence is good teacher aud four years
of fusion reign Is a sufficient schooling
for Fan average voter. by the time
our next state conventions are held the
people Of Idaho viii have learned that
such combinations are void of principle
and serve only the purpose of placing
selfish politicians into Ofii:e.
F" All political parties are presumed
to be founded on certain cardinal prin-
ciples, and differ widely from each 9TH
Rr on public questions of Importance,
and when two or more parties whose
platforms are at variance unite they
must necessarily surrender that which
constitutes each party, Their prlncl-
pies. In time Of great financial stress
and depression the American voter
may be induced to forsake his princi-
pies and support such combinations as
an experiment, but he does not make a
business Of doing So The fusion of |
1895 was less open to criticism than
that Of 1898; for there was little or no
difference between the Democratic and
POpulist platforms, whereas the Silver
Republican and Democratic platforms
were dramatically opposed to each 9th
or on the tariff question.
There are more potent reasons why a
coalition Of the two parties is imprac
ticable. At least 70 per cent of the
Silver Republican party have deserted
their standard amd returned to the Re-
publican party and Democrats will be
very lOath to grant any concessions to
u fragment of party that is rapidly
disintegrating. Again, more than so
per cent OF the Silver Republicans of
Idaho are expansiOnlsts and insist up
on our retaining the Philippines, while
II Is generally conceded that the Demo.
cratic party, both national and state.
will insert vigorous antl-expansion !
plank in It's platform of 1900 1t would |
require more audacity than was needed =
during the campaign of 1893 for the |
two parties to unite and go before the d
people, ore advocating expansion and r
q high protective tariff and the other il
opposing both. I
referring to your second question, d
am forced to say that fail to under a
stand how my views upon national OK. s.
pansion can benefit anyone, however, s.
believe 1t the duty OF every American s.
'itizen to support President Mckinley r,
n the course he has pursued toward Il
he Philippine Islands, and l have no a
or patience with the political cI
legenerates who have sndeavOred to ri
Feato political issues out of our con- k
ict with Spain and the resultant diff dl
ultlss In the Philippines. / recall TO 7
ltnd quite ViVidly the fact that the pi
resident did not act hastily in going to "
ar with Spain, but proceeded very VI
autiouSly while those whose sensibili- hi
90 are so shocked at our treatment of "a
10 FiliplnOs were loudest in their A
amor for war. Our possession of a
10 islands is result of that war. The a
hilippine islands are ours and it re. of
aims for Congress to decide what dis m
ositlon shall be made Of them. The II
'rm ofgoVernmsnt to be adopted there In
spends entirely ON existing conditions de
I'd the capabilities Of the inhabitants. At,
believe that the instruction should "a
suppressed, and speedily, although It Sc,
iOuld necessitate the determination of tn
70 last Filipino" IN
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