The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-06-22

mtttee on resolutions, and so another
man, James Mackenzie, was named for
the place. Watterson, when approached
by an Associated Press reporter for an
explanation OF his action, made the
following explanation:
Il have for some time regarded the
nomination Of Cleveland as assured IL
ne Is nominated, he and his antecedents
Will bs platform in themselves. His
annual message in 1887, in the matter
OF tariff, and his silver letter of 1891,
with his many utterances upon the anti
coinage side of the silver controversy.
Will constitute in reality the issues on
which the campaign will have to be
fought out to square ticket with 4 rec
ord and to make the situation logical.
But with my well-known opposition to
the nomination Of Cleveland. if should
go upon tho platform committee and
urge such course, l should be at once
characterized by the free coinage Cleve-
land men with the purpose to mako
trouble by my extremism, whilst, on the
other hand, If should propose a,free
coinage plank or straddle, should DO
characterized by Clevelsnd's Eastern
supporters with purpose to handicap
his election in advance.
Taking either horn Of the dilemma
should be suspected and distrusted in
the beginning, to be made in the end
and in the event of disaster, answe rable
for result | am powerless to influence
or control. In other, words | should be
required to assume grave sponsibili-
ties without the confidence and support
OF the gentlemen Immediately back of
Cleveland. felt myself under no obli-
cations to take any such false position
and so | refused it,"
Mackenzie, whom Watterson proposed
for the place, was unanimously elected.
Watterson considered mis- appointments
especially appropriate, he being an
original Cleveland man, which amounts
to u great deal" Watterson explained
that his refusal to serve on the commit
tee had only, in an indirect way, above
explained, any relation to his disap-
prevail of Cleveland's nomination.
IF Cleveland is nominated, no one
will support the ticket more heartily
than shall" he continued. II am his
friend, not his enemy. / came here for
peace, not for war. But l am not the
man who ought to place Cleveland upon
his own platform, and | cannot consent
to DO party to placing him on plat
form stultifying him as to record. AS
said Cleveland is q platform to himself.
Both his personality and his opinions
arc uHcSCtpdule anu even II we uoSlfe
to straddle the silver issue he coulu not
mount or ride our straddlo with any
grace or safety"
Watterson stated that he had offered
his colleagues that il they would pass u
resolution instructing him to vote to
embody Cleveland's great tariff message
of 1887 and his famous anti silver letter
of 1881 into the platform. he would GO
upon the committee and do his best to
serve the party and country. This the
delegation very properly and wisely de-
clined to do, and there the matter ended
Watterson stated that the meeting
had in every way been harmonious; in
fact veritible Cleveland love. feast.
II shall not vote for him in the conven-
ton, however," he continued. elf
Boies' name is presented my vote shall
be cast for that gentleman. limo other
name but that of Cleveland is men
toned sh Ill not vote. I do not know
what the balance of the Kentucky dele
gates will do, but certainly Casselman's
claim that the solid vote of kentucky
will he cast for Cleveland is unfounded.
That is all have to saw