The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-09-28
JOHN BOYD THACHER
DECLINES TO RUN
viii Not Make Contest for Governor Of
New York on the Coinage Issue.
HE IS A BlMETALLlC DEMOCRAT
But Can Not Subscribe to the Doc.
trine of Free Silver rCOinage.. There
Is Now Room for Wilbur +. Porter.
Mr.. Thacher's Letter of Declina.
ton.

Albany, Sept. 27--John Boyd Thach-
er has declined to accept the DEM
ocratic nomination for governor, when
was awarded him at Buffalo by tne
Democratic convention on Sept. IL.
The platform adopted by that conven-
tion, in so far as it unequivocaliy en-
dorsed the Chicago platform, cannot
be subscribed to by Mr.. Thacher any
more than he could have given his ap-
proval to the Chicago platform itself
in many of its essential features. the
result of this Is his declination TO
stand as candidate.
Mr.. Thacher had been led to be-
lieve that the Democratic state plat
form would be entirely acceptable TO
him and would not do violence to the
stand taken by him at Saratoga on
June "a in favor of an International BIZ
metallism currency. Therefore he had
agreed to stand as Il Democratic cam
didate for governor for the sole pur-
pose. as he says, of striving to keep
the Democratic party in this state to-
gether for the future as well as Tor
the present. His idea was that the
fight in this state should be confined
to state issues.
The silver wing of the party decline
to accept his analysis of the political
situation in this state and have de-
manded that an out and out silver
man be placed on the ticket for gov
ernor and that the fight in this state
shall be made upon the national issues.
and more particularly upon the Dem
ocratic proposition of free coinage at
the l6 to | ratio.
ROOM FOR MIR. PORTER.
Mr.. Thacher thinks his declination
will result in Wilbur f. Porter, of Wa
tertown. his companion on the pres
ent Democratic ticket. as candidate
for lieutenant governor, being named
by the state committee at its meeting
on Monday night in New York city,
as the candidate for governor. Daniel
G. Griffin. the candidate of the gold
Democrats. nominated in Brooklyn, ON
Thursday night, also comes from Wa
tertown and he and Mr.. Porter have
fought side by side for many years in
numerous political contests
Mr.. Thacher came to Albany at $50
O'Clock this morning from his summer
home at Altamount, about eight miles
from Albany. He was unaccompanied
and there was no one at the station
to meet him except a representative
of the United Associated Presses. Mr..
Thacher proceeded Immediately to his
city house, which Is located about 500
feet from the main door of the eXecu-
tive chamber, in which he had aspired
" ftlSil LOT Two years ITOlll Jan. l
next. Arriving at his home he handed
the original draft of his address to
the notification committee of the Dem
ooratic state committee and gave copies
u the press.
THACHER'S DECLINATION.
Mr.. Thacher's address is as follows:
I am deeply sensible of the honor con-
ferred upon me by the Democratic party
of the state of New York in naming me
as its candidate for governor. | am con-
strained to decline the nomination.
| was away from Albany and al my conn-
try home during the convention and | did
not learn of my nomination until after
ocloch Thursday afternoon 1t vas not
until o'clock that night that had an OPP
portHnity to learn the character of the
= pfa tfurm adopted ny the convention. There
had never been submi.ta al to me II press
copy, a manuscript copy o. any other
copy of the proposed platform, If any one
had been entrusted with the duty of pre-
senting such copy the trust had not been
fulfilled. ] had no reason to expect. after
the convention at Saratoga and after the
attitude of the delegates from New York
In the national convention, that the next
state convention would commit the Dem
ocratic party unreservedly to all parts Of
the Chicago platform.
] addressed communication to the hor-
orable. the state committee, at the earliest
moment consistent with maturing my
thoughts and two days before its meet
ing in New York. In that communication
| state my views on the financial question
had not changed since | had publicly ut
tered them at the state convention i'm June.
and that l assumed my nomination was
made with the expectation ON the part of
the convention that as the governor of the
state of New York has absolutely no cf-
fetal connection with the question of ma
tional finance, could make the con-
test upon certain clearly defined state is
sues which then enumerated and which,
I deemed vital and dominant. While | had
not sought the nomination or requested a
single delegate to give me his support |
was willing and eager to contend against
that system of "bossism' which is today
In control of the public affairs of the state
of New York.
I was prepared to organize the Demo-
cratic party from one end of the state
to the other on line of battle against
that system and to wage an unremitting
ard vigorous warfare. believed that mu-
nicipal ana other reforms in which the
peo,lc are interested could not be obtainad
until the administration had been
boss.
The strength of the Democratic party
is its weakness. 1t stands with sympathe-
tic arms welcoming the oppressed, the
weak. the distressed and promising them
comfort and relief 1t Is natural that mis-
chievous and destroying elemnts should
clothe themselves in the garments of non
est distress and seek to shelter themselves
within their arms and to conduct from
that refuge their predatory raids
NEEDS OF DEMOCRACY.
What the Democratic party needs is
a wise. fearless and powerful organizl-
tion which will respond to every beat of
the popular heart, but which will regulate
the entrance of the wicked and perverse
This organization will not come from out
side but from inside the party I have no
sympathy with those who desert the party
now in its hours of need. Every Democrat
who believes that the party is or can
be made an instrument of good should stay
within its ranks and by counsel and exam
pie endeavor TO build 1t up and make it
strong.
inherited with patriotic love of coun-
Democratic party. When men revile IT,
they want the more to hold it fast. Men
who wander at will from one party to
another, who have no political ties which
temporary discomfort will not break
cannot understand this sentiment MY
party can demand of me no honorable sac
rlfice will not make. 1t can ask of me no
duty l will not, perform. My best use
within its ranks and give such powers as
/ possess to Strengthening it's pillars and
establishing its bulwarks
I believed that the people would be with
us on that issue. l believe that from the
beginning of the campaign this issue would
place the Republican party on the de-
fensiVe and fully occupy the hands of its
defenders That II was the vulnerable
place in the armor of the enemy and that
] had correctly estimated the importance
OF the position Is proven by the immediate
wincing of the Republican MANAGERS The
first thrust of the lance drew blood and
n cry.
1t has developed in the consideration
of the resolution bv which the bonora bla
state committee appointed your committee
as well as In the public press and other
public 'and private communications thar
there Is a very decided desire on the part
of the Democratic party, to contest the
election on the abstract question of un-