St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-27
CRATIC PARTY SHOULD TAKE
FIRM STAND.
He IS NOT A CANDIDATE.
INSISTS THAT NO DELEGATES
SHALL BE PLEDGED TO VOTE
FOR HIM.
ENDORSEMENT FOR CLEVELAND.
Party Owes Him a Debt for His
Maintenance of the Nations
Credit.

NEW YORK, April 26.-The World will to-
morrow print signed statement of ex-Gov-
ernor William E. Russell, of Massachusetts,,
in response to question from one of it's
| staff correspondents, in which the governor
says:
Il am greatly surprised to hear that the ac-
tion Of the Massachusetts, convention has at
tracted any special attention outside the
state. While I greatly appreciated the COM
pliment Of an Endorsement by my state, 1 am
not seeking the nomination nor am I desir-
GUS of being the candidate, nor do wish any
movement made in any state in my interest.
ION the contrary, l have already earnestly
requested that no such movement be made
in any other state by friends of mine. My
belief is that 1t is all important that when
the Chicago convention meets, it's delegates
should be absolutely free to deliberate and
act clear Of all instructions sor pledges of
even expressed preferences-at least, SO far
as am concerned. do not know that any
movement personal to me is contemplated.
If 1t, ! request and insist that 1t should not
be made
1T seems to me that our party should send
Its strongest men to Chicago and leave it to
situation.
as 1t then appears, to determine what is best
to be done. 1t will be time enough to con-
slider candidates then.
THE important thing now is to make every
effort to have the Democratic party take an
absolutely sound position on the money oues-
tion without evasion or compromise. l be-
lieve this Is of vital consequence to the party
for It's present and its future
II am firmly Of the opinion, as have re-
Gently said, that our national platform ought
explicitly and emphatically to oppose the free
coinage OF silver or its compulsory purchase
or any compromise legislation in that direc-
tion; and that it ought to indorse and COM
mend the administration of President Cleve-
land for his resolute work in maintaining our
present gold standard and in preserving the
credit of the nation.
"I think 1t would be neither right nor
wise to attempt to avoid or straddle this
question by any ambiguous or meaningless
declaration The time has passed for that.
The issue must be fought out-I trust to a
sound conclusion
A Boston special to the World in which
the ex-governor is interviewed at length,
supplements the above statement In the
course Of this interview he says: THE DO
sition of president is one of tremendous re-
sponsibility. 1t involves so many things
requires so much Of the man who would
fill it. I doubt-yes, I doubt very much
| if 1 would care to take up the load, were it
| thrust upon me.
II believe that a president should go into
| Office unfettered. Therefore, I hold firmly
that I could never. even be a candidate on a
| platform that was not in accordance with my
own principles. | would never consent to
| straddle on finance or any other public ques-
| ton. I would not go into Office bound by
| hampering declarations, helpless in author
| ity.''
Would you accept a nomination upon a
platform Of your beliefs ?''
81 don't know. should hesitate very serl-
ously. But this is too far ahead. 1 tell you
in all earnestness again, that first the Demo-
| cratic party must settle these financial ques-
| tions that are disturbing the country. don't
care what other Nlea may be doing about
seeking nomination, but of this one thing 1
am positive-no one shall go to the convention
| pledged to me and unmiDdful OF what Is best
for the party and the conntry.s