Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-06-17
4 card.


Editor REGISTER In the Charles Town
Advocate of May SOth Dir. r. w. Morrow,
in very dictatorial manner, demands OF
Messrs. John P. KearfOtt and J. Garland
Hurst an answer to certain questions. Now,
speaking for myself, will say that | stand
ready at any and all times to answer any
reasonable question. But it must be under
stood that in matters political the questions
must come from a Democrat. Ever since l
announced myself as q candidate for nomi-
nation before the Democratic primary for a
legislative office / have continuously and
positively declared that in coming out for
a nomination in the Democratic party l
pledged myself to endorse, vote for, and in
every way support the nominees and plat
form of said party as shall be adopted at
the Chicago convention. Would Mr.. Nor
row have said that two months ago? Did
he not on the streets of Charles Town de-
clare most positively that he and all of his
neighbors intended to stay out of the pri-
mary unless there was silver plank in the
Chicago platform p have been interview
ed by both gold and silver men, represent
ing each faction of the party from all Sec
tons of this and Berkeley counties, and |
have emphatically said that l did not pro-
pose to lay down platform for my party in
advance of the convention, but would stand
by the platform there announced. 1t must
not be understood that | have no belief or
policy of my own on The question of the
day. But coming out as have for this Of
fee, if elected it will be by the votes of the
Democratic party and l want to represent
not myself but the people of this district,
from a Democratic platform, in the West
Virginia Legislature. And have declared
these sentiments to silver men who have in
terviewed me, and they have said they were
perfectly satisfied with my position, agree
ing with me in all, that if 1 voiced the SEN
timeuts of this county it was what they most
desired.
Of course all know that the reason of Mr..
Morrows personal attack upon Mr.. Hurst
and myself is not in the interest of the DEM
ocratic party, but purely, selfshly personal,
to advance his own candidacy before the
people of this county. The people can send
a man of one idea to the Legislature, but
they would probably realize before the ses-
sion was over that our representative had
something else to do than coming silver
Our people have important interests thai
must be legislated upon, and that need safe,
conservative action that is seldom given by
men of one idea. These questions Of the
financial and monetary policy Of our coun-
try are national, and while ! believe they
are the most important and far-reaehing as
to the material prosperity Of our country of
any question that has ever been before our
people, still we should not lose sight Of the
fact that the very Importance Of the ques-
ton demands the most calm and oonserva-
tive dealing. If the Democratic party de-
cares for free coinage let us see that our
leaders are the most conservative men that
can be found in our party. Let nothing be
done in careless or hasty manner. Let
the people arise in their might and demand
most emphaticaly that these demagogues
and political tricksters who have been try
ing for years to disrupt the party to accom-
plish their own base ends shall 60 to the
rear These men have openly ayowed their
intentions to bolt the party unless the Chi
cago platform suited their views, and now
forsooth they come out and demand Of Dem
ocrats their platform. Our platform will be
laid down at Chicago, aud by that expect
to stand or fall
Now, one word to the Democratic voter.
In asking your support in the coming pri-
mary pledge myself to abide by the DEM
ocratic platform on all questions save those
of honesty and morality, of these ! am the
sole judge. The threat has been freely
made Of bringing out candidate in oppO'
sition to me. If the farmers and laborers
can't trust me to represent them in the Leg
islature. then by all means bring out your
man, give him the nomination in the pri
mary, and most cordially will support him
in the November election. don't suppose
this letter is going to satisfy Mr., Morrow,
but hope he will possess his soul in patience
and if he doesn't succeed in splitting the
Democratic party will refresh his memory
by asking him some questions from the
Democratic ranks, which hope he will an
swer before the primary.
Respectfully Yours,
June S, 1896 JOHN P. KEARFoTT.