Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-04-27

New York, April 26.-The World will
tc-morrcw print the following signed
statement of Ex-Governor VIM. E. Rus
sell, of Massachusetts,, in response to
question from one OF its staff corre-
spondenjs:
Il am greatly surprised to hear that
the action Of the Massachusetts, Con-
vention has attracted any special at
tention outside the State. While l
greatly appreciated the compliment Of
an endorsement by my STATE, | am not
seeking the nomination, nor am | de-
sirous Of being the candidate, nor do
wish any movement made in any State
in my interest.
"On the contrary, have already ear
nestly requested that no such move
ment be made in any other State by
friends of mine. Ny belief is that it is
all important that when the Chicago
Convention meets its delegates should
be
ABSOLUTELY FREE
to deliberate and act clear of all in
strucJions or pledges or even expressed
preferences-at least so far as | am
concerned. | do not know that any
movement personal to me is contempla-
ted. If it is | request and insist that it
should not be made.
1T seems to me that our party should
send its strongest men 10 Chicago, and
leave it to their good judgment, in view
OF the situation, as it then appears, TO
determine what is best 10 be done. 1t
will be time enough to consider can
didates then.
The important thing now is to make
every effort TO nave the Democratic
party take an absolutely
SOUND POSITION
on the money question, without evasion
or compromise. | believe this is of vi
tai consequence to the party for its pres
ent and its future.
Il am firmly of the opinion, as / have
recently said. that our national plat
form ought explicitly and emphatically
TO oppose The free coinage of silver or
its compulsory purchas5, or any COM
=,
and that it Ought to endorse and COM
mend the administration of President
Cleveland for its resolute work if main
tanning our present gold standard and
in preserving the credit of the nation.
Il think it would be neither right nor
wise to attempt to avoia or straddle
this question by any ambiguous or
meaningless declaration. The time
has passed for that The issue must be
MADE AND FOUGHT OUT
i trust to a sound conclusion"
A Boston special to the World, in
which the Governor is interviewed at
length, supplements the above state
ment.
In the course of this interview he
says
The position of President is one of
tremendous responsibility. 1t involves
so many things, requires so much of the
man who would fill it. | doubt-yes, I
doubt very much-if | would care to
take up the load were it thrust upon
me.
Il believe that President should go
into once unfettered. Therefore,
hold firmly that | could never be even
a candidate on platform that was not
in accordance with my cwn principles.
! would never consent to straddle on
finance, or on any other public ques-
ton. l should not go into office bound
by hampering declarations, restricted
in the power of veto,
HELPLESS IN AUTHORITY"
Would you accept a nomination on
a platform of your beliefs?"
Il don't know. | should hesitate
very seriously. But this is too far
ahead. l tell you in all earnestness
again that first the Democratic party
must settle these financial questions
that are disturbing the country. l
don't care what other men may be do
ing about seeking a nomination. but Of
this one thing | am positive-no one
shall go to the convention pledged to me
and unmindful of what is best for the
party and the country"