Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-27
RETURNS TO THE FOLD.
Butte, Montana, February "a, 1900.
Member Republican National Committee 70

Hon. Charles R. Leonard. Member Republican National Committee for
m reasons fol returning to thu republican party. 1 W hestated to do 10
for the reason that it seems to m a matter of so little Importance to anybody
except myself and yet to avoid Misunderstanding it is perhaps better that I
max m present titudek know. ~=@. s&
For several years my political aflation has been determined by my views
on the suver question. 1 allied myself with the populst party in 1884 when
that "a the best. n in fact. III only consistent champion Of tn silver
hope for free coinage. I cannot s4t however. that l nave ever really gotten
liz democratic party in Silver Bw unit It seems to m that this
party has suffered and is suffering from shift boss rule. INC thai n % M has
much influence in the party unless he belongs to thu ruling class.
We in Montana haye been SO anxious, to help the nation decide its great
questions of finance thai we have lots Sight of the fact that tn most m
portant questions foru us arr those 81 local government. w have a great
state. W e should show our appreciation o that fact in thu officers e elect
in our legislatures. courts and city councils One reasonw why I am returning
to the republican party is because I believe tina W e cal xpec mos IRON
that party in he matter of good. honest and efficient local government.
The question Of h free coinage If silver At the ratio of is to 1 is m 20
longer the chef wue between the two great political parties. Indeed. I
doubt very much whether the question will be discussed during the coming
campaign. 1t a not Turing last fans campaign. LIN I found in Nebraska
and Iowa that tn democrats were avoiding its discussion. While the ques-
do not beleve that the question of the free coinage of silver at the ratio
of 1S to by the United States alone will again be raised. 1t las been settled
~ 1odc If events rather than by any particular election. The return OF
prosperity, he astonishing increase in gold production. tn greatly altered
position IF the United States In the family Of nations. financially. CONNER
ciany otherwise-these are some If the events that have made the free
coinage Of silver by the United States alone more remote of realization than
My sympathies a been won back to h republican party through its
conduct II the recent val I al heartily in favor of expansion. 1t seems
the manifest destiny IF the United States o grow, n 10 nation Is more
worthy to extend its influence an power. The trusts create a perplexing
political question, tut I a m convinced that they cannot be destroyed or even
regulating them % that they shall minister first of all to h welfare of the
people. but this solution is more likely to be entrusted % the party that pro-
poses a Conservative remedy than to TIL me that proposes radcalm measures.
These are some of the reasons why I am going back to the epuohcan
party to stay I believe that I al have more influence for goo local govern
ment in that party thar elsewhere. I have N favors to ask o to expect, but
if that party will ony give ne a chance to work a n vt for candidates
who are honest. capable and efficient, whose reputation for integrity is unfair
nshed n hon I can respect that is all that I sh ask. l reahze nat TINS
is lot a small thing 20 ask. but it is nt a favor 1t is THAT every voter
has the right to ask Of the party to which he gives his allegiance n l know
that it is what the republican party will do if your wishes influence pre-
vail Yours truly. E. E. HOWELL.