The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-07-22
MR.. GEORGE AND THE REPUBLICANS.

Editor Representative:
It would seem to me to show an un-
warranted distrust Of Henry George to
call upon him to deny the rumor that he
has announced his determination to sup
port Mckinley.
have before me "The National Single
Taxer" for June "a, which gives extracts
from Mr.. Georges letters written from the
Pittsburg convention for a syndicate, and
published simultaneously in several of
the great dailies. In the first he gives
an account of his political relationships
ardent espousal, while sailor boy, Of
Republicanism under Fremont, and his
advocacy of the same till an eloquent plea
for protection as the policy of the Repub-
lican party made him a conscientious free
trader and caused him finally to work
with the Democratic party. He says of
himself:
Il was a delegate from San Francisco
in the Democratic convention of 1872,
that nominated Horace Greeley, and
heartily supported this arch-representa-
tive Of American protection, because I
believed that his candidacy as a Demo-
cratic nominee would do much to end the
war feeling, and this most heartily de-
sired as means Of bringing political dis
cussdon back to the questions that really
most concerned the masses of our people
the social and economic questions. And
stayed with the Democratic party
through the Tilden campaign and the
Hancock campaign, hoping that it might
at last turn to the real Democracy, the
true Democracy, the Democracy Of Thorn
as Jefferson, and speak the words of pow
er, EQUAL RIGHTS TO ALL AND SPE-
C1AL PRIVILEGES TO NONE"
Mr. George has published before his
disappointment in Cleveland and his
shame and regret for having supported
his candidacy. He now says:
"How in the hands of the administra-
ton the hope that gave him power has
been ignored and stultif1ed it is needless
to say. The effect ON me is, that If 1
must choose between two protectionists,
I would much prefer Republican pro-
tectionist to a Democratic protection:st.
If an army is to be massed for the avowed
purpose of putting down strikes, II federal
troops are to be sent into states without
call OF the authorities, II we are to be
threatened with wars that could only
profit spoilsmen, and If extravaganza ex-
penditures are to be maintained by the
issue Of bonds uncalled for by congress,
IL ~ UClLCi tUdl IucSc luIuSS SuOulu I've
done by the avowed party of strong gov
eminent than by a party that pretends
to follow the Jeffersonian philosophy
This undoubtedly, is the paragraph in
his letters from the Republican conven-
ton which gave all the ground there is
for the rumor referred to. How untrue
the inference, even stranger to Mr..
Georges views might see from the fol-
lowing prophesy in his third letter:
Enough is now clear to make 1t Ger
tain that this will be historic conyen-
ton, making the drawing Of new politi-
cal line. A great party which began its
formal existence by arousing all the bit
terness Of national question seems
likely to come to its formal end In the
likeness Of what seems for the. present
like another sectional question:"
In the remarks which follow, on the
money question, it is very evident that
the weight OF Mr.. Georges influence Ia
with the forces arraying themselves
against the money lords.
Frances e. Russell.
St Paul, Mimi, July 13, 1896.