Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-11
FRIDAY. JANUARY II, 1901.
REPUBLICAN REORGANIZATION


'reorganzers" is an insult not only
to the rank and file of republicans
throughout the state, but particularly
to the republican members of the
legislature. The reason for this con-
clusion is plain. If it be true that
the dominant influences in republican
conventions last fall We're not honestly
representative of republican sentiment:
If it be true that any corporate
strings We're pulled in the state con.
vention or in the county conventions. or
that such strings were manipulated by
any controlling power in republican
circles, it can not be denied that the
candidates selected both on the state
and county tickets We're depended up,n
to serve as plant instruments of that
power, and We're therefore unworthy ef
the confidence Of republicans. and all
deserved defeat. About twenty-five Of
them We're elected to the legislature
These gentlemen claim to be neither
better nor worse than republicans who
We're defeated. They stand for the same
principles the same interests, the same
leadership. Any reflection upon that
leadership is a reflection upon them.
Any charge that the party is in corrupt
hands IS a reflection upon them. Any
allegation that the peoples voice was
stuffed in either state or county conven-
tons is a reflection upon them. Such
accusations obviously mean that they
would not have been nominated by
convention fairly chosen and honestly
conducted.
The Inter Mountain has no objection
whatever to change in republican
leadership, if that is what the majority
about in perfectly regular form at the
next primaries of the party if, in each
will set aside their old leaders and elect
other men to the county conventions
These county conventions, in turn will
find it easy in choosing their delegates
to the state convention to pass up" the
republicans they have honored on pre-
vious occasions and send others to rep
resent them at the state convention.
The state convention will thus be COM
posed OF new men as loyal to party
principles and honestly representative
of republican sentiment as the Inter
Mountain believes the last state con-
Vention was. The new convention, with
it's new membership, may proceed to be-
stow it's honors and responsibilities
upon new men. RELOCATING the old and
experienced leaders to the rear and be-
fore adjournment it may select a state
committee without renominatng any
of the old members.
That is the way to reorganize the re-
publican party. 1t is simple enough and
may be advisable. The reorganization
may be effected without friction or i'll
teeilhS or abandonment OF principle.
The proper time to begin the work is
at the opening of the next campaign, if
by that time the advocates Of reorga,
lzatiOn succeed in convincing the rank
and file of the need of change or if
the rank and file itself desires a change.
The Inter Mountains highest and proud
est aspiration is to represent the rank
and file of the republican party, but this
newspaper has right to insist, on be-
half of the party, that if it is to be re-
organized, it be not reorganized by the
democrats or by any men operating in
the democratic interest, and that the
reorganization be not begun now with
a view of weakening or disntegratns
the republican strength in the legisla-
tive assembly: also, that the republi an
membership of that body be no longer
insulted by the publication of charges
concerning the representative character
OF the conventions which nominated
them, or the independence and patriot
ism of the republicans who elected
them.
But does the rank and file demand or
Mesire a reorganization? Is it not sat
listed with the splendid battle wage
against the enemy on November :, when
the returns showed a republican gain
of over 100 per cent in the legisla tu;e,
and such gain on the state and na
tional tickets that republican victory
Is assured in the next election if these
-
reorganizers do not succeed in hops
lessly dividing and demOralizing~ the