Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-02-15
REED AS A CANDIDATE.
His Platform In 1883, When He Consid-
cred His Candidacy as a Joke.

|
cred His Candidacy a Joke.
Ex-Speaker Reed seems to be more
seriously candidate for the presidency
than ever before In 1883 he regarded
such possibility as joke. That year
New England paper declared that the
most available men for the Republican
nomination were congressman Reed of
Maine, Hiscock of New York and Long
of Massachusetts,.
Gas soon as we saw this said Mr..
Reed at that time, 'Long and I assem-
bled ourselves together, held a caucus
| and agreed that the announcement, SO
: far as we were concerned, was both
| timely and judicious, but we decided
| by unanimous vote that Hiscock was
not available for reasons that must sug-
| gest themselves to every Thoughtful and
patriotic man. This action having mar
rowed the contest down to Long and
myself, 1 suggested, with the kindest
and most disinterested motives, that for
the sake Of harmony he ought to with
draw. He demurred to the proposition
and did not appear to take much. inter
est in it until offered 90 make it an
object to him. volunteered to pay him
So in lawful money il he would agree
to retire and make a speech nominating
me i'll the presidential convention. He
replied that he was not a S. man, where
upon L raised him to IS. If there is any
thing despise, it is savarice. Hereplied
that he would not withdraw from the
canvass and make the speech for less,
than $50 and was willing to let me-
write it or would submit it for my ap-
proval. This was pretty steep, as Long
hadn't the slightest chance of getting
the nomination and isn't much of a.
speaker. But I agreed to pay him So
down and the balance if got the NOM
ination. But Long said he never did
take contingent fee and never would
So there the matter hangs. If he won't
agree to share the risk, he shan't have
any of the peaches.
"I'm running for the presidency"
continued Mr.. Reed at that time (this
was in the winter Of 1878, upon
broad and comprehe nsive platform, and
if l don't get the nomination it won't
be because I'm not willing to give sat
isfaction to people of all colors, races,
religions and political views. l believe
Ill giving every man equal rights and a
fair show. I believe that it is the duty
OF congress to pass judicious silver
bill and am In favor of such revision
OF the tariff as shall give the capital
and labor employed in the manufactur-
ing industries of the country every pro-
lection they ask, and at the same time
place the luxuries as well as the neces-
saries of life within the reach of all. I
believe that every man, woman and
child should receive a pension who is
entitled to it; that every just claim
upon the government should be prompt
ly and duly paid, with interest to date;
that sectional strife should be smothered
III fraternal love, and that the dead is
sues of the war should be decently buried
at government expense. am in favor
Of applying the principles of civil serv-,
ice reform to all the offices of the gov
eminent, SO as to give entire satisfac-
ton to those who are IN as well as those
who are out, and that all legislation in
tended to promote the prosperity of the
country should be promptly enacted by
congress. On the labor question am.
as sound as an oak saw log, and urge
upon congress the passage of bill that;
will settle forever and set at rest all
controversies between the employer and
the employed. believe that the surplus
IN the treasury should remain unimpair--
ed SO far as is consistent with the finan-.
cial welfare of the country, and that con-
gress should take such action in refer
ence to the finances as will bring the
greatest good to the greatest number. l.
hold it to be the duty of the president
to protect the prerogatives of his office,
and to hand them down unstained to-
his successor done up in tissue paper or
in silk handkerchief, and 1 will fur
ther say that, if have omitted to declare.
my position regarding any interest rep
resenting considerable number of votes,
it shall be my earnest endeavor to amend
and enlarge my platform accordingly.
The motto on my escutcheon is, L strive,
to please, and my aim is to merit the
appreciation and secure the support of
all Republicans, Democrats and Mug
wumps. Idesire to be considered nom
partisan candidate and would prefer that
my nomination should be unanimous -
washington Cor New York Sun.