Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-30
THE POLITICAL FIELD.
A REpUBLioAS PROTEST.
Es.Geverpor Pounds Pointed Reasons fas
Rejecting blaine for President.

rs.Geveruor Poupd's Pointed Reasons fsr
Rejecting blaine for President.
Yesterday we referred 10 a letter from
ex.Conorc.sman Pound, Of Chippewa
Fails, wis, In which the writer says he
will oppose Mr.. Blaine and support Gov
ernor Cleveland for the presidency. From
the letter we take the following:
After much earnest and solicitous delib-
GRAFTON deem II TO be my duty, while
sbating paught OF loyalty TO the Republican
marty. but rather 10 promote Its true pur-
nose and strengthen u for future good
work. TO support the Democratic nominee,
Governor Cleveland, for President ut the
spproaching election. My Judgment disa-
rrces with, and my conscience rebels
against. the action Of the Republican Com
yention In the nomination o; Mr.. Blline,
md without arrogatng for myself wisdom
superior 70 majority OF representative
Rerublicars convened 10 voice the determi-
nation Of NY party, am compelled TO obey
nv own best judgment and sense OF duty
in this single and extraordinary instance.
Being lifelong Republican and the recip-
lent OF many distinguished honorS, State
and rational, Vt is due my political associ-
ates, so often my cordial supporters, and
myself that the easons for departure from
conventional cooperation he frankly stated.
Mr.. Blaine, in my opinion. embraces
most in American politics that Is menacing
10 public morals and integrity in govern
meni. With long public career, miinly
distinguished for n sort Of declamatory and
puciIistic statecraft. he Is not the inspira-
lion Of a single valuable policy or'the. au-
thor OF an important statute, but, on the
-. "a. gt.t1 md sffs ont
cd lmNiSe ard bad and opposed good legis'
lation. With a record clouded by sGspi-
cjou and accusation Of jobbery aud cor
lup.ion undeiended. he brings to Us per-
sonal an,GgOnisms which have torn and
weakened our party in the past, invading
the administration OF the lamented Gar
field with demands Of personal vengeance
so yirulent as 10 inflame the spirit OF assaS-
snation and eliminating in the defeat OF
Judee FOlgor and consequent election OF
Grover Cleveland Governor OF the Empire
State.
But returning TO the candidate. Himself
a spc, uator, enjoying fortune too great
10 have been acquired by honest industry.
legitimate business enterprise, or his cOun-
try's service ut 5000 year, he sympa-
thizcs with and profits by speculative
stock obbing and gambling methods OF ac-
curing wCaltt-methods which have
wrought ruin, disgrace, and business DIS
astcr heyond computation, schooled youth
and persuaded middle age to avoid homes.
and Useful industry, made suicide and in
sanity commonplace, unsettled values,
placed the fruit. OF honest toni in the power
Of the Goulds and ArmOurs 10 bear down
or hull up in the markets a. within or inter-
est may dictate; methods which recently
gave US but IN exaggerated Illustration OF
their iniquitOus consequences in the Grant
Il Ward $4,000, coo failure and robbery.
Reference to Blaine's congressional re-
cord relating 10 subsidies. class legislation,
CoIpolate exactIOns. etc, viii readily salts
~ the honest inquirer Of his uniform sup
port Of monopole~ and Indifference 10 the
common weal. Little wonder that he omi.s
in his letter 10 refer 10 or explain the Cause
Of the great disparity IN the distribution 81
this mary liOus increase of wealth accumu-
lated during the period he chooses for COM
pariscn; that he fails TO note the fact that
The one thrCc-hundrcdth part Of the $l4,-
| 100000. 600 Is held ny one man, while others
rank little below; and hls own palltial
residence. commanding rental OF Sll,OOO
year. suggesting more than an average
Der capita 81 wealth. Little wonder that
commerce. the regulation Of which is de-
handed by all producers and legitimate
traders. Great corporate interests command
nOn-ntCrferencc.
The dlSingenuOuSneSs OF his letter Of ac-
ceptancc ia further betrayed by lis signiii-
cant silence touching the events Of the past
three years. Bringing down his historic
figures to the present would have revealed
the action involved in his statements,
wonId have shown marvellous shrinkagc
in nominal values, would have noted the
downfall OF business prosperity and buSi-
ness morals,an wO0ld have pictured a. few
can do so graphically as he the furnace fires
dying out, the wheels OF factories standing
still, wages reduced, beggaTy usIrpng the
place OF labor, bank and business failures,
creditors and depositOrs wantOnY defraud-
cd, homes lost. and croOkcdness in public
affairs. Mr. Blaine Is Objectionable further
more for the company be keeps, for the
friends he has made. viii the cLiei pro-
moters OF bis nomination be his chief adj
viscrs II elected? There's the rub.
With no pronounced issues between the
two great parties, we can safely afford 10
yield temporary executive control at this
time 10 an honest man. though he be
Democrat. And il grave questions OF
public policy were at issue they cannot be
determined by the Executive. This is the
Irerogative Of Congrcs>-the law-making
branch, heretofore for time and now
under Democratic control. IT is vastly
more important 10 good government that
the Republican party be restored TO SUI
prcmacy in Congress than that the adj
ministiation OF law be entrusted TO an I'M
worthy partisan surrounded by bad cOun-
sci. While Mr. Blaine is known TO be
unworthy, Governor Cleveland has de-
monsTatcd his fitness and wOrthiness for
the position by his fidelity, ability, and
integrity in the discharge Of his executive
duties as Mayor OF Buffalo and Governor
OF the great Stale Of New York. and ia my
opinion very large majority OF intelligent
and unprejudlced voters believe he should
lie elected. II one half OF the Republican
voters who agree in this opinion have the
courage OF their convictions and vote con-
scientlousy. he will be trlumphantIy elect
cd. The scandals affecting The domestic
lives Of all candidates should be committed
to the political chouIs and hyenas.
While il is my fixed purpose to support
Cleveland and Hendricks, it is no less my
determination TO support all tit and worthy
nominees Of the Republican party for
county, State, and congressional positions.