The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-15
ALLEN NOTIFIES BRYAN
Why the Populists Decided to
Support the Nebraska
Orator.
Now 1t Only Remains for the Wan.
dering Orator to Clasp the Ex-
tended Glad Hand.

MADISON, NEBR., Sept. Ex-senator
William V. Allen. chairman of the Popu-
list committee to notify William J. Bryan,
tonight gave out his letter to the nomi-
nee. The full text of the letter follows.
MADISON, Nebr., Sept. IA, 1896.
To Hon. William J. Bryan, Lincoln, Nebr.-
DEAR SIR: At convention OF the Peoples
party. held at st. Louis July D to % of the
current year, you were unanimously chosen for
President of the United States to be voted for at
the approaching general election. 1t was
known at the time that you had been nomi-
mated by the Democratic party at its conven-
ton, held at Chicago few days before that
time and that you would in all probability
accept the same in q formal manner. Your
nomination by the Peoples party was not,
therefore, made with any thought that you
were Populist or that you accepted all the
doctrines declared by the st. Louis platform.
1t was due, largely, to the fact that the money
question is the overshadowing political issue
of the age and because you have at all times
been an answering, able and fearless advo-
cate of the free and unlimited coinage of
silver and gold on terms of equality at the
minis of the United States at the ratio of
16 to l.
1t was thought, Also that the observance of
patriotic duty required a union of all reform
forces, and the convention took the liberty
without soliciting or consulting you of placing
your name before the people as its standard
bearer. The convention was in doing so
guided by deep solicitude for the common well
fare and acting on its own motion, prompted
alone by desire to bring about the best at
tainable results. So much has been said re-
speeding the rehabilitation of silver by again
placing 1t in our coinage acts in the position
the act of 1873 that it would be idle use for US
to discuss the question. You will OBJ
serve by the closing language OF the
= nTEfC 1laN hat ton
recognized the money question as the great
issue of the day, and because Populists be-
lieve that you are in accord with them on this
ques ton you Will receive their ballots In No
vember 1t has at no time been expected nor
is it now that you will abandon your adhesion
to the Chicago platform, nor that you will ac-
cept all that is declared by the Peoples party
platform, however gratifying the latter would
be to all Populists. It must be understood
that the party does not abate one jot or little
OF loyalty to its principles. We have declared
ourselves in favor of many important reforms
and go further than you or your party have
gone. These reforms are In our judgment es-
sentlal to the liberation OF the people from
present unjust and Ubiquitous industrial bond
age.
In accordance with precedent of our party
we take this method of notifying you OF your
nomination. We shall not send a committee
according to old party custom. In send
ing this letter of notification OF the
SGn on t9 9on h by oaG p as It
needless for US to assure you that you have the
confidence and esteem of all. Your splendid
abilities, known integrity, competency and
eminent fitness for the position Justly entitle
you to a rank among the great statesmen of
the Nation. We feel that in the event OF your
election, which now seems certain, you
will carry into execution the principles Of
monetary reform to the end that the people
shall enjoy better industrial conditions. 1t is
| not anticipated that this can be done with I'M
due haste or so suddenly as to wrench or dis
| joint the business interests of the country,
but that it will be done gradually and in a
way to infuse confidence and hope OF better
conditions for all.
The Peoples party will exact of you no prom
Uses further than those made IN your public
| utterances and exemplified in q life devoted TO
the welfare of the race, nor will it ask you to
| ABANDON the party of which you are an hon.
0reo MEMBER In your nomination our party
| adopting high plane of patriotism, believing
that division of forces would result in the
election OF William Mckinley, the foremost
advocate OF deeply burdensome and I'M
natural taxation and the criminal policy OF
the single gold standard, resulting ultimately,
| II not IN some manner checked in the complete
! government. Your elevation to the CHIEF
maglstracy OF the Nation would be regarded
| as v1ndication of the right of the
people to govern, and we entertain nc
successor of the immortal Jefferson and Lin
coin, and that your public life, like theirs
lean craftsmanship. Your extensive and init
mate knowledge OF public affairs and the du
ties the office will impose, gained in a life thai
mas been devoted to unfolding the cause o.
the people, as well as your keen insight int
the condition OF our country. in our judgment
mighty qualified you to bring about change
| IN way that will work injury to none anc
Justice TO all, thus making our Government, in
TACT as 1t is now in form only, a government
| oi, by and for the people" We have the
honor to be your most obedient servants,
WILLIAM VINCENT ALLEN, Chairman.
The name of each of the members OF
| the notification com mittee is siPned ff
the document also.
Treasury Gold Reseree.
; w AEHINCnnN n q c. IL m