The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-01-17
at the Billings Postof1ice as Second
Glass Matter.
FRIDAY, JANUARY II, 1902.
MINER is FOR eoRMAN.

The Butte Miner and the anaconda
Standard do not seem to have he
same opinion Of Arthur Pue German
as a statesman and man. This is
shown by their comments on his re-
cent election as senator from the
state of Maryland. The former con
siders him to be one of the foremost
statesmen of the time and in a quiet
way peculiar to the Miner boosts him
as a presidential possibility in 1904.
1t says:
"His return to the senate at the
present time is opportune, in that
the conservative elements in the party
have in him an experienced and able
leader. when the party interests are
to be protected for the struggle of
1904. There never was a time when
the democracy could welcome with
greater zeal the advent of an exper-
fenced leader of the old school into
the forum of national debate.
There is a keen realization Of the
fact that the conservative. elements
Of the democratic party must to a
large extent, shape it's policies of
1904, and outline a campaign that
will win to II standard the infu-
ences that make success at the polls
possible. Upon numerous occasions
the political trend of the times seem
ed to point to the selection of Mr..
German as the presidential candidate
of his party, but counter currents car
ried men of lesser ability to the front,
and the distinguished Marylander
abided his time among the solid work
ers of the democracy"
If this isn't a direct thrust at Bryan
then the English language has lost
it's significance and power of descrip-
ton. Men of lesser ability" For
sooth, what has Colonel Bill done to
be deserving of such unkind treat
ment from his erstwhile devoted and
blind follower of the big mining camp?
Has it taken the Miner all these years
and after twice supporting him for
the presidency to finally learn that
he is one of the men of "lesser abil-
ity."
Upon the anne assumption it is
safe to infer that the Miners vigor-
GUS demand for the recognition of
men of conservative ideas and their
advancement to positions of leaders
is confession of a realization of it's
folly in supporting the "men of lesser
ability and their political policies
and beliefs. In other words, the Min
err has awakened to the fact that the
majority of the party of which it is
an organ do not take to the notions
and theories it has assisted to ex-
plot in the past and that they de-
mand return to the "old school, of
ideas, policies and issues.
Interpreted in any manner one
chooses to put the Miners words. they
are clear notice to Bryan that he is
lit" no longer SO far as the Miner is
concerned and that he must be con.
tent to remain the editor of a country
weekly and allow men OF more weight
and broader conceptions to get to the
front. The Miner has grown tired OF
backing a loser and now wants to eX.
perience the sensation hat comes
from being on the winning side. This
is not intended to mean that the dem
ocratic party is regarded as standing
any possible show of winning in 1904
but merely as expressing the Miners
wish to be with the majority of its
party in that struggle. If it is doom
ed to defeat it wants to be defeated
with the biggest crowd and not re
ceive a licking with a few others who
have detected from the main body.