Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-28
TEACHER DECLINES
TO Accept Nomination for
Governor of New York.
Platform Was Not Submitted to Him
for His Endorsement.
There Is No Place in Democratic Party
Today. Tor Conservatism.

Albany. Sept 27.-John boyd Thatcher
declines the nomination for governor
in his statement to the notification COM
mittse.
Mr. Thacher's statement is Is follows:
/ am, deeply sensible of the honor con-
ferred upon me by the Democratic party
of the state of New York in naming me
as it's candidate for governor. am
constrained to decline the nomination.
l was away from Albany and at my
country home during the convention,
and l did not learn of my nomination
until after O'Clock Thursday afternoon.
1t was not until o'clock that night that
/ had an opportunity to learn the char
acter of the platform adoptedsby the
convention.
There has never been submitted to me
q manuscript copy or any other copy
of the proposed platform. If any ore
had been entrusted with the duty of
presenting such copy. the trust had
cot been fulfilled. l had no reason to
expect after the convention at Saratoga
and after the attitude of the delegates
IIOIl view IoI II III llit HttlioItil toiiN eli
ton, that the next state convention
would commit the Democratic party,
unreservedly. to all parts of the Chicago
platform.
l addressed a communication to the
honorable state committee at the earliest
moment consistent with maturing my
thoughts and two days before its meet
ing in New York. In that communica-
ton | stated that my views on the finan-
cial question had not changed since
publicly uttered them at the state con-
vention in June, and that | assumed my
nomination was made with the eXpecta-
ton on the part of the convention that
as the governor of the state of New
ton with the question of national!
finance. l could make the contest upon
certain clearly defined state issues.
which | then enumerated and which |
deem vital and dominant
Mr.. Thatcher says there is decided
desire on the part of the Democrat tic
party to contest the election on the alb
stract question of the unlimited coinage
of silver at 16 to l. He says it is i'm
possible for him, with aie views he holds.
to make a contest on 1he coinage issue.
and as an honorable man. he feels he
should make way for some one who can
Continuing. he says; There seems no
place in the Democratic party to day
for conservatism. Men are divided into
two classes. each entertaining views
exceedingly intolerable of the other. The
history of legislation is that conservat-
tr,,, to- he. 1NA1 l,,.
the Democratic party when it ap-
proaches the responsibility of legisla
ton will be true to itself and to the peo-
pie.
The strength of the Democratic party
fs its weakness. 1t is the party of the
people. 1t stands with sympathetic arms
welcoming the oppressed, the weak. the
distressed. and promising them comfort
and relief. 1t is natural that mischev-
Gus and destroying elements should
clothe themselves in the garments of
honest distress and seek to shelter them
selves within those arms and to conduct
from that refuge their predatory raids.
What the Democratic party wants is a
wise. fearless and powerful organization,
which will respond to every beat of the
popular heart, but which will regulate
tie entrance of the wicked and the per
verse. This organization will not come
from outside but from inside the party
] have no sympathy with those who de
sert the party now in its hour of need
Every Democrat VINO believes that the
party is or can be made an instrument OF
good should stay within the ranks and by
counsel and example endeavor to build
II UP and make il strong.