The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-07

CARLISLES LETTER
Washington. DC. April 4. 1896.
Charles Il. Lone. Esq, Chairman Demo
cratic state Central Committee Louis
Vile Ky:
My Dear Sir-Your favor OF March 80,
Ia which you say IN substance. that many
Of ny friends IN Kentucky and elsewhere
desire me 90 become a candidate before
thc approaching National Democratic
Convention for nomination for the office
Of president and requesting me 20 give
some authoritative or definite express
sion upon the subject was duly re-
CciNtj. and has been maturely considered.
Many communications upon the same
subject and ~ similar import have been
received from friends On different parts o;
Tie country. and. while very grateful for
these numerous expressions OF confidence
and esteem upon tho part Of my Demo
cratic fcllow-citizens. ] have not been
able 10 reach the conclusion that the cX-
listing condition require me to comply
with their requests by authorizing them
T. announce me as candidate for the
presidential nomination.
While / fcel a profound interest in the
welfare OF my party. | am much more
concerned about its declaration Of princi-
pes than I'm It's selection OF candidates,
because, I'm my opinion Its failure or sue
cess at the election. as we'll as its capac-
IT, for useful service In the country I'm
the future depend upon the position II
takes or omits 10 take upon the public
questions now engaging the attention OF
the people and especially the questions
affecting the monetary system Of the
country. and the character and amount
OF taxation TO DE imposed upon our citi-
zens. Its position upon these and other
subjects having been agreed upon, and
clearly and distinctly announced the
convention ought TO have no difficulty in
selecting an acceptable candidate who
will fairly represent its views, and. in
order that its deliberations may be en-
harrassed as little as possible by the con-
tcntions Of rival aspirants and their
friends. think my duty TO the party will
be best performed by declining to par
ticlpatc in a contest for the nomination.
The obligations assumed when | &C
copied my present official position require
me 10 devote my entire time and atten-
ton 90 the public Interests committed TO
my charge. and / shall continue 10 dis
charge the duties imposed upon me 10
the best OF my ability. and in such man
ner as will. in my judgment. most GER
tainly promote the true interests OF the
country. and. II i'm the opinion Of my
fellow-Democrats Of Kentucky. my ser
vices entitlc me 10 their commentator
and approval. / would regard their en-
dorsement of my public course as an
nlIIIlf lfMhfN lhI the lltilf IhNf h''AA
able 10 accomplish in behalf OF honest
administration and sound financial policy.
With many thanks for your kind let
ter j am. very truly yours,
J. G. CARLISLE.
SOUND MONEY VIEWS.
The full significance OF this letter lies
in the concluding sentence. in which Mr..
Carlisle asks the Democracy of his State
20 endorse his career as Secretary of the
q 90 mt unit
20 endorsing his attitude on the financial
question. 10 wit: His sound money views
he. therefore asks his state TO endorse
him on a sound money basis. as opposed
60 senator Blackburn who has already
announced that he will at once enter upon
a campaign for election TO the Senate by
The next Legislature on q free silver basis
10 will be- remembered that during the
recent contest I'm the Kentucky legisla-
ture Secretary Carlisle refused 10 inter
ferc. ana thereby prevented the election
OF senator. This course was recognized
as part of Mr.. Carlisle's programme
which includes his election TO the Senate
by the next legislature of his state.
His letter tonight. asking the endorse
ment Of his sound money views by his
party. IS another step toward the same
goal In IS evident that Mr.. Carlisle has
determined not 10 imperil what chances
there may be I'm the future OF returning
10 the Senate 10y wasting his Influence on
an unsuccessful hunt for the presidential
nomination, which would be a useless
bauble even II he could get II. His in
tention plainly IS 10 shape all his future
efforts. with the final view Of eecting
Carlisle delegates TO the next legislature,
and he IS beginning thus early so that
the fight may be started on the delegates
az Chicago
The contest will now be between Mr..
blackburn for free-silver delegation 20
Chicago. and Mr. Carlisle for sound
money delegation and the result viii
make 20 plain which Of the two gentle
men will Doe the Democratic candidate for
the Senate before the next legislature of
Kentucky.