Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-04
GEN. JOHN ID. GORDON.
He VIII Vote for the Nominees of
Our Party, Bryan and sewali.


ST will not under any circumstances ac-
Dept a nomination for any public office
from anybody. When my turn as United
States Senator expires next March, / in
tend to retire from public life for good
and all"
This is the answer made yesterday by
Senator John b. Gordon, OF Georgia, when
asked whether he would accept q nomt-
nation for ice-PresIdent on Democra-
tic sound-money ticket, his name having
been frequently mentioned I'm that con-
nection. together with the name of sena-
tor John NJ Palmer, OF Illinois, for the
presidential nomination.
You must know" said he in explain
ing his position. that the political situa-
ton in Georgia, while similar TO that in
other Southern States Is not thoroughly
apr eciated In the North. The democracy
of Georgia IL always threatened with tho
accession 10 power of an undesirable ele-
ment. THIS Is made up of radical agra
rian element. holding 10 very unusual
views on financial and other questions.
With the assistance Of the negro vote
this element might at any time secure
control OF the State.
ITO keep this element most dan
gerous one, In the background, the Demo-
Gratis find II necessary 10 stand together.
There are hosts OF sound-money Demo-
Gratis In Georgia, who, before the Chicago
convention, talked as II they would not
support any silver nominee, but now
most OF these, recognizing the alterna-
tive are. one W one. deciding to vote
the ticket Republican rule In my State
would be calamity, and the rule OF the
element I have mentioned would be as
bad I deem IL my duty, under the cir
cumstancss, TO vote for the nominees or
my party. / have been asked 10 take the
stump In Georgia for Bryan and Sewail,
and may make few speeches in their
behalf"
why do you not consider a second
Democratic ticket desirable?" was asked.
because do not think II could muster
material strength. In our section OF the
country there are few, very few,
who think would support such
a ticket The people do not want
il. There Ii little disaffection from
the Democratic ranks owing 10 the silver
platform. this being largely due TO the
| causes which I have mentioned Those
who say they will vote for Mckinley
rather than for Bryan would likely vote
for Mckinley II a gold Democrat were
nominated. az they would believe that Nc
| Kinley would have the better chance or
| election"
Senator Gordon added that after thirty
| years Of public life he was growing tired
| OF II. He said that he must in the future
give up moro time TO his own anairs.
which politics. IN a measure. compelled
him TO neglect.
mo one" he continued. has consulted
me about accepting this rumored nornina-
ton for the vice-presidency All 1 know
about II Is what have seen In the news
papers do not even know who Is at the
head OF this gold Democratic movement,
though I have seen the names OF Palmer
Of Illinois, and Villas, OF Winccnsin, men
toned In connection with II.
SHALL I be a candidate for reelection
TO the Senate when my time expires? No.
I have already besn approached by a
number Of political friends In regard b.
rhls but I have already declined to allow
nv name To be used. When I say that
arr rcsrv 10 get out OF politics, / mean
what j say" ~ -
hreara.ng the pending financial issue
Senator Gordon said that he favored the
gold standard. though, after all" be
continued, "the free coinage Of silver may
not prove az disastrous as We gold-bugs
now believe II will be. believe In having
these great questions settled once and