The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-08-23
A FRANK ADMISSION.

The Caldwell Tribune, which has
been unswervingly republican for
years, even when spasm OF rio ht-
eousness temporarily drew away q
large number in 1896, shows signs of
revolt at last and admits the state,
into which its party long ago drifted
but which it has heretofore denied
against democratic assertion. The
Tribune has evidently been reading
the SIGNAL and has been struck quite
forclbly with statements recently
made, and we are indeed pleased to
have opened the eyes of our highly
esteemed friend at Caldwell, who,
except for his hypnotlzed condition
politically, is one of Idaho's talented
men: The Tribune says:
Unless the Republican leaders of thought
put themselves to thinking honestly and
deeply, they will soon be called on to face
a revolution in their own party or be the
means OF bringing abouta sweeping Demo
cratic victory. They seem to be unable
to grasp the fundamental idea that it is
inherentin the republican policy, to create
an aristocracy of wealth.
$500
What are the emotions awakened in the
breast OF workingman getting four dol
lars day when it is demonstrated to
him that his employer gets four hundred :?
Does he reflect on his own happy condit-
ion? Not much. When he is told that
this thing was brought about by Repub-
llcan policies, does he shout for Republi-
cansmY Only for a short time while the
memory OF one dollar day is fresh. In
a year that fades and he rises to condemn
the political system which enables one
man to make four hundred dollars a day
while another makes only four What
is the result? All the very prosperous
the rich-drlft into the Republican party.
In few years they come to dominate its
councils and shape its policies, and
less prosperous drift into opposition I'M
der various names, as populism, Demo
cracy and Socialism, all meaning one
thing-opposition to Republcansm
Levellsm is the dominant popular note
today, and it is finding response in the
hearts OF thousands of Republicans. 1t
is finding expression in protests against
trusts and other immense aggregations of
wealth. 1t is coming to the surface in
Republican State conventions 1t is
heard in the murmurings of the people
throughout the land. 1t is felt that the
power of the great industrial interest are
absolutely dominant in the councils OF
the Republican party. and that its poll
tics is degenerating to commercialism
pure and simple.
From the small farms and ranches of
Idaho has come up a cry against the ar
rogance and greed of a great industry. i
That cry unless needed will he the death
OF that industry and the undoing of the
Republican party. Behind it is an ele-
ment of justice. 1t is the voice of the
weak, protesting against the encroach-
ments of the strong. 1t is an appeal to
the humanity of parties aud legislators.
Republicans, ignore it if you will, at yonr
own peril. Insult it, if you will, by per-
uniting the representatives of that indus
Try to domonate yonr councils and figure
conspicuously in your management.
The Tribune, contrary to the Boise
Statesmen and all other republican Pa
pers, admits the recent utterance of
Mr.. Bryan before 5000 people in
Massachusetts, when be asserted that
the republican party had grown to be
party of aristocracv. But while the
Tribune, in a thoughtless moment,
admits the entire indictment, we fear
it has not the courage OF its convict,
ION and will continue to worship at
the Shrine which has sent forth
every law giving one class an unfair
advantage, outside of natural alb IL
ties, over another, and which system
has resulted iu the unnatural piling
up OF millions and billions in the
hands of few.