Evening star., 1896-07-17
The Democratic Congressional CON-
mittee Chairman's Statement.
he CLEARLY DEFINES HIS POSITION
Supports the Ticket Because He
Don't Want to Leave the Party.
JORITY MUST RULE

There has been great deal of gossip in
political circles since the democratic con-
veEtion at Chicago over the probable posi-
ton of the democratic congressional COM
mittee in its per onal makeup toward the
platform of the party. The talk was oc-
casiored by the fact that number of the
members of the congressional committee
have in times past been opposed to the un-
limited free coinage of silver, the Keystone
of the Chicago arch, and there was un-
bounded speculation as to the amount of
earnestness. not to say sincerity, which
these gentlemen could now put into their
work for the free coinage platform.
1t is well understood, of course, that
the congressional committee is an i'm
portant organization. 1t is supposed 10
have great weight and influence in the
election of congressman. 1t supplies them
with campaign material, with what is just
important, money for campaign pur-
poses, and every congressional candidate
leans heavily upon the committee in max
ing his canvass The congressional COM
m.ttee was appointed early last spring, and
Senator Faulkner of West Virginia was
elected chairman.
While Senator Faulkner has not been
conspicuous IN the ranks of The free silver
men in the Senate in recent divisions in
that body upon financial questions, the
tent.on to buckle down to the work of the
congressional committee and the confidence
with which he asserted the prospect of
democi attic victory in his own state through
the medium of the free silver issue led a
Star reporter into the error of describing
the chairman of the democratic congress
sonal committee being in thoroug h
sy mpathy with the Chicago pla atform ard
ticket"
The following communication was re-
ceived at The Star office today:
Senator Fnulkncr's Position.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
In your issue of the 18th instant, in stat
ing my position in reference to the Chi
cago convention, your paper uses the fol-
lowing language:
Senator Faulkner is in thorough SYM
pathy with the Chicago platform and
ticket"
This statement does not correctly define
my position, and l feel unwilling 10 let il
pass by In silence
l believe the Chicago convention was a
legal and regularly constituted assembly of
delegates commissioned by the members
of the party to give expression TO the will
and wishes of the democratic masses CT the
country: II present and a delegate to that
convention, / should not have voted for the
platform as presented to 1t, as in several
respects 1t does not give expression to my
views on certain public ques.o
"A majority o. that fal"ly :nd regularly
constituted convention, however adopted
that declaration of principles. Such a ma
Jority can alone determine the principles
and policies of a national parry.
The minority have but one of two courses
t. adopt.
If the differences are SO serious that II
cannot conscientious!y support the candi-
date and platform, it must tnan seek alli-
aEce with a political organization whose
declaration of principles accord with its
own.
If. however, the policies announced by the
platform, on the whole, are more In accord
ance with the views held by the minority
than the principles and traditions of CD
posing political parties, in my judgment IL
is right and the duty of the nrinority to
yield to the voice of the majority fairly
and regularly expressed.
There can be but one democratic party
and but one democratic organization and
When once that party through its regularly
constituted agents has nominated Its can
didates and declared its policies, there can
be no middle ground upon which democrats
can stand.
No faction representing a minority can
claim its name. or usurp it's organization
Believing that the candidates nominated
ana the platform adopted at Chicago, taken
In connection with the history and tradi.
tlohs Il the party, more nearly express
my F-eWs In reference to public questions
than the republican candidates nominated
and the platform adopted at ST. Louis.
snail give my earnest support to the nomi-
nees of the Chicago convention
Very truly yours.
(signed) CHAS J. FAULKNER.
Martinsburg, W. Va, July ID, 1896.