Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-09
NO, THANKS, SAYS CARLISLE.
DOES NOT CARE TO HEAD THE DEM
ocRATlC co RreGe
Declines TO be Candidate for tho Presi-
dency-wants tho Democrats to De-
olaro for old--Grosvonor's Claim
FOR Mckinley.

Washington, April 5.-Secretary Car
Isle this evening gave out the following
letter to Chairman Long of the denocra-
tic State central committee of Kentucky,
declining to enter the contest for the dem
ocratic nomination for the presidency:
Treasury Department,
Office of the Secretary.
Washington, ID. c., April 4, 1896
Charles II. Long. esq, chairman Democrat
tic State Central Committee, Louis
vile, Ky:
My Dear Sir--Your favor OF March 3d.
in which you say, in substance, that many
of my friends in Kentucky and elsewhere
desire me to become :. candidate before
the approaching national convention Tor
nomination for the Office of president
and requesting me to give Some authora-
tive or definite expression" upon the sub
ject, was duly received, and has been
maturcly considered
Many communica tons upon the same
subject and of similar import have been
received from friends In different parts
of the country and while very grateful
for these numerous expressions of con-
fidence and esteem upon the part of my
democratic fellow citizens, l have not
been able to reach the conclusion that
the existing conditions require ME to COM
ply with their requests by authorizing
them to announce me as q candidate for
the presidential nomination While |
feel n profound interest in the welfare of
my party, l am much more concerned
about its declaration of principles than in
its selection of candidates, because in my
opinion, its failure of success at the cleo
ton, as well as it's capacity for useful SER
vice to the country in the future, depend
upon the position it takes or omits to take
upon the public questions now
engaging the attention of the peo-
pie and especially the questions
affecting the monetary system of the
country and the character and amount OF
taxation to be imposed upon our citizens
Its position upon these and other subjects
having been agreed upon, and clearly and
distinctly announced, the convention
ought to have no difficulty in selecting ar
acceptable candidate who will fairly rep.
resent its views; and in order that it's de.
liberations may be embarrassed as little
as possible by the contentious of riva
aspirants and their friends, l think my
duty to the party will be best performed
by declining to participate In n contest FOL
the nomination. The obligations assumed
when | accepted my present official posi-
ton require me to devote my entire tim,
and attention to the public interests com
mitted to my charge, and / shall continue
to discharge the duties imposed upon ms
to the best of my ability and in such
manner as WILL in my judgment mos
certainly promote the true interests o.
the country; and If the opinion of my fel
low democrats in Kentucky of my ser
vices entitle me to their commentator
and approval, l regard their endorsement
of my public course as an ample reward
for the little ! have been able to accom-
plish in benefit of honest administrator
and a sound financial policy.
! With many thanks for your kind lette
l am
Very truly yours,
| j. G.. CARLISLE"