The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-22
WILLIAM WHITNEY TALKS
Predicts That Silver Coinage Will
Swamp the Democracy-he Does
Not Want to Be President.

New York, June 2l.--William C. Whit
ney today sent the following to the
press:
I find 1t necessary to make a public
statement embodying my views Of the Sit
uatiOn to correct misconceptions and to
save the time now occupied In answering
Questions.
Far too great Importance has been at
tached to my decision to so to the Chi
cagO convention.
have been practically out Of politics
fcS four years and there are now many
eastern Democrats who can do much more
than I can for the party. shall not as-
sumo any position Of leadership. My de-
cislon to stay about is simply based on
the duty of every person who believes In
the party for its principles, to stand by
and lend his aid and take his chances
when great crisis Is upon 1t. There can
be no question but that great crisis is
upon the Democritic party. Fundamental
differences Of principle exist inside the
party marked almost by sectional lines.
The great question to my mind IL wheth-
er the party meets In convention now as
in 1860 with issues and differences that
are for the moment irreconcilable.
These differences, Mr.. Whitney says, are
between the southern and western sec-
tions Of the country and the eastern Sec
tion over the silver question.
Continuing. he says:
Under these circumstances, II the re-
suits Of the Democratic onvention should
be to establish as the issue Of this CAM
paign the free coinage Of silver at a ratio
Of 16 to Independent Of other nations, in
the intensity Of feeling likely to arise, 1t
Is to be seriously aprehended that a dis
ruption of the Democratic party might
occur. Certainly no substantial following
could be secured for the doctrine among
eastern Democrats. They might not
vote the Republican ticket for other rea-
sons believing that the Republican party
stands for other issues that are detri-
mental to the country. but the Democrats
in the east would not. in my opinion, vote
for It.
ERRORS OF TILE COINAGE.
Then Mr.. Whitney gives, at some
length, the history Of the fight between
gold and silver In various countries of
the world and describes what he be-
lieves would be the baleful effect upon
the business and finances Of the United
States II free coinage should be adopted
by this country.
SuppOsing the adoption of free silver Is
accomplished. The creditor classes are
prepared for 1t. The obligations, mort
gagaes. railroad and otherwise, are quite
generally payable in gold. Debts would
still have to be paid in gold, but wages in
silver. The sufferers as usual being the
poorer classes. This movement purport-
ing to be in the interest Of the joint stand
ard, comes at most inopportune time in
my opinion.
There has never been time when the
prospects of international action favor.
a:.e to the Joint standard were at oil
as promising as at the present moment
But an ill-advised, unsuccessful attempt
here would discredit the cause the world
over.
Personally 1t is my opinion II the DEM
| ocratic party goes on to that platform at
this time they will meet the most disas-
trous defeat that any party has ever had
| in this country. understand It Is hon.
estly believed in and people think 1t will
bring relief from their present trouble, but
between now and election day II will be
pretty thoroughly sifted and the people
Of this country will not face the disturb.
ance Of values, the loss Of confidence, the
| general distress and ruin which would
come to their business interests in such q
change in the standard of values as would
arise from such action. And It will in this
way overwhelm the persons who under.
| take 1t.
It ought not to be necessary for me to
say anything Of personal nature find
myself. however, spoken Of here and
there as apostolic candidate, not very Sc.
riously. but sufficiently to attract atten.
ton II should fail to notice It. I some.
times affects ones influence in cases like
the present. I have no personal motive
in trtering this fight. have said that !
would not be candidate. I will add. copy
ing the emphatic language once used by
the late General Sherman Il think re-
member It correctly II will not run Il
nominated nor serve II elected"
am not foolish enough to suppose tha
any eastern man could be nominated b,
this onvention-much less that I could.
sympathixe thoroughly with the feeling II
the south that has caused this uprising
and will find It's expression at Chicago
but a. to the principles which the uprising
has brought forth and the issues beinl
framed, I entirely disagree.
(DtGnod) william G, whitney,