Show V EVIL EFFECTS OF FUSION Not much attention has been paid to the result of the Oregon election but the Helena Independent in the course I of some comments upon it has this to sayThe The failure of theunion of forces in the form of fusion will have its influence influ-ence in the forthcoming campaign It will direct attention to the fact that the natural tendency of fusion is to destroy de-stroy party organization and that the best results are attained when a common com-mon purpose IS sought by making the fight under the banner of the strongest organization Referring to the situation situa-tion in Montana the Independent has had freqyent occasion to offer this view of the case and to insist that the battle bimetallism can be most successfully success-fully waged under the leadership of the Democratic party inviting to its support sup-port all who believe the free and unlimited unlim-ited coinage of silver is the paramount issue of the day There is no doubt but that the first and strongest tendency of fusion is to destroy party lines and this very fact weakens the cause for wTiich fusion is Invoked Attempts have been made to bring about fusion in Utah but they have met with nothing but discouragement discourage-ment and should meet with nothing but that The fight for silver in this state should be made under the banner of Democracy So far as fusion is concerned it would be suicidal for the Democrats of Utah to consent to it for a single moment or for any cause The fight for party lines in this state was a long and hard one and if they should be broken down now there is no telling when they would be reestablished And if party lines are to be laid aside this year because be-cause certain party leaders desire it why should they not be laid aside some other year when it is desired by party or other leaders The man who advocates advo-cates laying aside party lines in 1898 will have his mouth stopped when it is urged to lay them aside in the future Every election has its paramount issue and each election sees many who urge that party lines be laid aside to forward for-ward it J The Democrats of Utah should stick I to theirparty lines no matter who may urge their abandonment nor for what cause The watchword for Democrats should always be The Democratic platform and no fusionS fusion-S |