The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-04-05

70 mas been the belief Of 8 great many
western Republicans that the RedabIi
can party would remonetize silver
should they be successful IN elect
ing their ticket in 1886. This belief
has kept many free-silyer Republicans
from severing their allegiance to that
party. The attitude Of leading Repub-
lican candidates for the presidency in
1896 toward silver is identical with the
policy Of that party in the past and is
what can be expected IN future. Gold
is the only recognized money metal of
that party. The statements of William
Mckinley on the finance question in
last weeks press dispatches has been a
keen disappointment to the western
wing Of the Republican party, but has
only verified the predictions made in
Omaha platform of the Peoples party
that both old parties were a unit upon
the financial question and would seek
to fasten the single standard upon this
country and by contracting the cur
reney force the debtor class into bank
ruptcy and double the holdings of the
creditor class. The following articles
show the position of the candidate, ia
vored by western Republicans, on the
silver question:
New YORK, March PA special from st. Au-
gustine, Fla. to The World says:
In ThOmasvilIe last night a letter was received
by Governor Mckinley from hundred or more
citizens of Georgia Democrats and Republicans
alike-pledging him the solid vote of Georgia in
the national Republican convention and assur-
ing him of a fighting chance to get the electoral
vote Of that state, provided that he will declare
himself an advocate Of free silver, The letter
also intimated that the Republican national
platform of 1896 might contain a silver plank.
When this letter was read aloud to him. Gov
ernoT Mckinley was indignant. He said:
IF the Republican party should declare for
free silver 1 would decline to become its candi-
date and I would quit the party forever"
CHICAGO, March PA special to The Record
from Thomasyille, Ga, says:
Governor Mckinley left for Jacksonville last
night, and if his health will permit him to make
a speech there he intends to declare himself on
the financial question in order that there may
be no doubt as to where he stands. a remark
which he recently dropped in conversation here
has been telegraphed all over the country as a
sensational disclosure, when those familiar with
his record would have been astonished if he had
said anything else.
The remark which has been quoted in various
ways was that he would not be candidate for
president if he thought the Republican conven-
ton would adopt free coinage platform. He
says that he meant by this that he is not in fav-
or of free coinage, and he does not believe that
any considerable number of Republicans are in
favor of free coinage Of silver, and that he could
not conscientiously stand upon such a platform
as a candidate for office.
He is a bimetallist and ready TO accept a
double standard as soon as an international
agreement makes it safe for our government to
adopt that policy, He is surprised that his SEN
timents on this subject should be a matter of
comment or curiosity. He has never discussed
it from any other standpoint.
ATLANTA, Ga, March PA prominent Re
publican who has just returned from Thomas
vile, where Governor Mckinley has been stay
ing, says that while it is true that the governor
has given out no utterances on public questions
for publication it is nevertheless true that he
has put himself squarely on record as standing
on the Republican platform of 1882 on the cur
rency question.
He does not believe, says this gentleman,
that there viii be any controversy within the
Republican party over the money question. He
does not consider it as even remote possibility
that the Republican national convention viii
declare itself for the free and unlimited coinage
of silver"
The western Republican is placed in
a position where it becomes necessary
to sacrifice his principles or to desert
his party. The monometallists have
control and will keep it. The money
powers of Wall street dictate its policy.
I. The true bimetallist should cease
following a party that has whispered
the word Of promise to his ear and
broke it the hope, and array himself
with the Peoples party, the only party
that advocates free coinage.