The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-05-12
CURRENT COMMENT.
THE ALL IMPORTANT ISSUE.
New York Adverkjser.

NEW YORK ADVERTISER,
The one great and all important issue
is the standard of value in our. currency
system, and it is most gratifying OIL
cumstaucs in this connection that ma
jority of the Republican party is irrevo-
oably committed to gold as that standard.
1t is quite as gratifying that most Of the
asDirantS for the Republican nomination
are squarely on record in accord with
this party sentiment, and opeuly declare
for the single gold standard now. But
the National Convention has yet to speci-
flcally define the issue and name the
candidate. There is every reason, there
fore, why the delegates should know be-
forehand exactly how every aspirant for
the honor stands on the currency ques-
ton, to the end that they may not be
compelled to vote in the dark. Let the
convention adopt gold platform and
measure every candidate by that instru-
ment. In this way only can it avoid with
certainty the proclaiming of a platform
and a candidate that would together
present an homogeneous mistit.
MR.. REEDS CLEAN CANVASS.
Washington Letter.to the Boston Herald)
1t goes without saying that Mr.. Manley
has net been ablo to issue promises of
offices or honors, contracts or emolu-
ments in his candidates name, for Speak
er Reed never makes such promises HIM
self, and he would not. of course, allow
anybody else to make them for him.
know that Mr.. Reed might have had
many more delegates than he has today
if he had been willing to make such
promises-proper promises, too, according
to the ethics of most public men, who
can see nothing at all out of the way in
ID -. IL,
office to particular state or to particu-
lar individual. Speaker Reed does n OF
take that view. He thinks he ought
not to be asked to make such promises,
and he resolutely refuses to make them
when he is asked I know of state
delegation that Mr.. Reed might have
had If he had been willing to promise the
man who controls it a cabinet Office for
that state, not necessarily for the boss
himself. 1t was an important state,
which might very we'll furnish a mem
Der OF the cabinet, and Mr.. Reed WAS not
asked to promise TO app 0iDt any pnrticu-
lar individual. But he said that he could
not make any promise Of that kind. he
never had aud he never would. 'tIf my
character" he.'said, lis not a sufficient
guarantee that your state and every 9TH
or state will be treated as it ought to be
treated, then ought not to be considered
in connection with the presidency" and
he pleasantly bowed the messenger out
This is the most striking Case l ever
heard of, but it only illustrates Speaker
Reeds general course in this regard. He
has simply refused the offer of support
knowing it to he genuine and knowing
that the goods would be delivered, but
refusing to pay the price In the custom
airy coin of Che Notwithstanding, too,
that the peddler would find an eager pur-
chaser in his rival just across the
street,
OF course, Manager Manley has had no
considerable sum of money to expend in
Mr.. Reeds behalf. Indeed, he has had
no money ut all over and beyond what
was absolutely necessary for clerical
and very moderate travelling expenses.
If it had not been for few of Speaker
Reeds personal friends, somo OF them
members of the House, who made up a
small subscription, Manager Manley
would not have had funds enough TO car
~ on his correspondence in the interest
OF Mr.. Reeds nomination. 1t is entirely
safe to say that no canvass for the
presidential nomination in the Repu bill
can party was ever carried on in q more
clean and honorable way than Mr.. Reeds
has been, or at n less cost in money.
Speaker Reed went into the presiden-
tial race determined to preserve bis
honor ana his independence even il he
missed the prize. and he has stuck to
this throughout. He did not propose to
get down ID the dirt. He felt that he
had made q record in Congress and had
established reputation which would
justify his candidacy in the eyes of all
intelligent people. He believed that
the solid elements of the Republican
party, and especially its business men
the country over. would recognize in him
man who was fit for the presidency.
He believed that he was regarded as
sound on the money question and ortbo-
dox on every Republican doctrine, pro
lection included, and it was not necessary
for him to protest chat he was.
Manager Manley, with candidate
who would not make the speakership q
steppinastone to the presidency, who
would not make promises or author ze
him to make them. and who had no cam.
paign fund worthy of the name, has
made an exceedingly good fight, undoubt-
eddy the best he could make under the
circumstances.