Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-03
SUSPEND PUBLIC JUDGMENT.

The public should not too hastily con-
denim men who occupy positions Of trust
and responsibility, accorded them by tine
votes of the people. 1t is far easier to
break down a reputation than 1t Is to
build 1T M. A lie usually travels with
much greater speed than the truth, n
is seldom overtaken by it. 1t IS one
thing to point out the self-evident delin-
ouencies of a political organization, in
yolying Joint responsibility on the part
of it's active membership, and quite an
other to charge an individual with spe-
cifc offenses against the law. The spirit
of fair play manifested by the ~independ-
ent on-lookers Of Montana, while the
prosecution was submitting it's case in
the senatorial investigation, should be
maintained throughout, and 10 hasty
conclusions reached during the progress
of the trial.
While it is true, the prosecution has
invited retaliatory measures, and would
have no cause for complaint if the indie
PCAoCt1 Va 80 ~
been so unjustly abused for not enlisting
in the fight-took up arms against them
n hurled slop-jars and other crockery
of doubtful reputation at their heads, it
is nevertheless the duty of fair-minded
men to deal honestly with both sides to
the controversy in the disgraceful family
row that is now in progress at Washing
ton. In the nature of things, it will be
incumbent upon the defense to impeach
such of the witnesses for the prosecu-
ton as have not already impeached
themselves. No other course is left open
to it, and evidence to that end will
doubtless form the chief exhibit in the
case from nov on, coupled with testi-
mony tending to show the innocence Of
men accused of having accepted brides.
An innovation, however, upon this
course of procedure characterizes the
opening of the case for the defense.
It's initial witness, Hon. T. T.. Lyons,
county attorney for Jefferson county, ac-
cuses two prominent citizens of this
Sldtt, WuO nave uOL appeared Ill Cue Ca
pacity of witnesses for the prosecution,
OF attempted s~ubornation of perjury.
The accused parties are Hon. A. j. Camp
bell, Montana's representative in con-
gress, and Hon. c. B. Nolan, Montana's
attorney general. Both these men are
active worke in the Anaconda faction
of the democratic party and AVE been
conspicuous in promoting the case
against Senator Clark-the former serv-
ing in the capacity of anager for the
prosecution, on the salary paid him for
representing the people in the house OF
representatives, while the latter appears
to be devoting most of his time to the
political interests of his faction. rather
thar to the duties of his office. But the
charges against these men are specific
ally defined, like those against. Senator
Clark, and if the latter is entitled to a
suspension of public Judgment until the
conclusion of the testimony, the same
consideration should be extended to Mr..
Campbell n Mr.. lola
1t does not necessarily follow that
these gentlemen are corrupt because
their sympathies are with the Anaconda
faction, and because they show an earn
est desire to promote the best interests
of that wing of the democracy by crush
ing its rival If possible, when the oppor-
tunity seems to offer. There are unques-
tionably reputable Clark men who ara
working with just as much earnestness
and bitterness on the other side Of the
fence. and from present indications with
just as much likelihood Of success. Facts,
rather than Affiliations. must be weighed.
No one ever accused the cats of Kilkenny
with being dishonest. or being any diff
ferent from other cats environed as they
We're, when their tails were tied together
and they were thrown over a clothes line.
Yet the poet graphically and pathetioally
relates the fatal outcome of the feline
impact as follows:
There wanst was two cats in Kilkenny.
And aich fought there was wan cat too
menny:
So they clawed and they At,
They chewed n they bit,
Till instid av two cats there want emmy!
Unless the clothes line happens to