The Saint Paul globe., 1896-08-01
HOW HE TURNED DOWN A DEMO-
CRAT RUNNING FOR OFFICE
In NEBRASKA.
THE STORY OF FRANK IRVINE.
REGULARLY NOMINATED by 4
STATE DEMOCRATIC CON-
VENTfoN.
BRYAN DIDN'T SUPPORT HIM
Because He Said He Couldn't Agree
with the Convention which
Named Him.

William J. Bryan and his friends are
going about the country charging the
sound money Democrats with being
traitors because they do not support
the ticket which was named at Chi
cago. It was not so many years ago
that Mr.. Bryan bolted Democratic
ticket in Nebraska Read this interest
ing correspondence between Frank
Irvine, of Nebraska, and william J.
Bryan:
OMAHA, Neb., Oct. g. 1S93-Hon. w. J,
Bryan, House Of Representatives, Washington
My Dear Sir l fear that some occur
rences in the convention have had the effect
OF alternating your friends from the ticket
nominated l think myself that some things
were done which are to be regretted, but 1
do not think that it is your desire that
these things should be made cause for
desertion of the party and the defeat of its
ticket, although some words used by you in
your speech are being interpreted in that
way by your friends. My nomination was not
OF my seeking, and l do not think that | was
proposed as the representative Of any fac
tion OF the party. certainly would not have
permitted my name to be used in that way.
| am informed that my votes came from the
friends of free silver coinage as well as
from its opponents The course taken by
the Republican convention has given US more
than fair chance Of success, and, while
l repeat | did not seek the nomination hav-
ing accepted it, on personal well as po-
litical grounds, 1 am heartily anxious for
success. Ny defeat through detection in our
own party would be huniliating to me and
could not possibly result in anything but
injury to the party.
l write you thus frankly, believing that you
desire my success as l have on all occa-
sions desired yours. Can you not, by q let
ter which can be used for publication or IN
some other way, indicate your desire for
the success of the ticket. You can do this
without in any wise compromising your po-
sition upon the currency and without any
sacrifice of principles to which 1 know you
are conscientiously attached Yours very
truly, Frank Irvine.
wAsHINToN, D. c., Oct. 10, 1Ss8.-Hon.
Frank Irvine, Lincoln, Neb,-My Dear Mr..
Irvine: Your favor just received. 1 need
not assure you of my high personal regard.
Our relations have always been cordial, and
trust they may continue so, nothwithstand-
In the campaigns which 1 have passed
through | have always had warm friends
who could not support me because Of my plat
form, and 1t has never lessened my esteem
for them.
Many of the gentlemen in the Lincoln con-
vention, who denied the courtesy usually
accorded even to political opponent, were
personal friends, and will remain so. I do
not blame them for their conduct for take
it for granted they were contending for
principle, but II their adherence to principle
justified them in so acting that my repudta-
ton was heralded from ocean to ocean
and was made the subject of congratulatory
editorials in the leading gold bug and Repub-
lican papers, certainly they will not expect me
| to sacrifice my principles and apologize for
their conduct. No convention ever held by
the Republicans in that state ring-ruled and
experimentation as it is, ever approached
our convention in unfairness and Demo-
cratic conduct.
The seating Of the Tobe Caster delegation
from Saline county, without even the right
OF discussion, was as gross an outrage as
was ever perpetrated against the rights of
citizens. If the convention had been fairly
conducted our ticket would have no chance
or election, because the presidents financial
policy has driven away hosts of Democrats
who are more interested in Democratic prin-
ciples than in the name Of the party The
action OF the administration in distributing
patronage through Tobe Caster and in re-
warding those who had been of most service
TO the Republican party, has disguised these
who still believe that Republfcanisrn and
Democracy are not identical and the action Of
the Republican envention in turning down
MAXWELL because he was too honest to be
controlled by the ring-all Of these events
have conspired to make the election Of HoI-
comb probable. The railroad Democrats will
vote for the Republican candidate as usual
You Will not only suffer in reputation by ac-
ceptlng such a nomination from such a con-
Vention, but will receive but a small vote in
spite OF the promises which the Republicans
Always hold out to our candidates before
election l regret that our people chose for
slaughter so deserving a man. They ought
to have selected some Of the numerous DEM
ocrats who are responsible for the falling on
or the Democratic vote.
nave spoken to you thus frankly and con-
ildentia1ly because 1 feel that you deserve a
better fate than the one which L fear awaits
you this fall. / would make any sacrifice rn
be Of service to you personally but as q
nominee Of that convention and running upon
that platform, could not make an appeal In
your behalf without giving the lie to all that
| have ever said and done In behalf Of ths
Democratic party and its principles. II /
were in your place l would refuse to be a
candidate and await vindieation So far aa
| am concerned, my speech at the cenyentacn
expresses my convictions and states my po-
sition; it does not seem best at this time to
add anything to it. Renewing my assurances
of high esteem, am very truly yours.
w. ]. Bryan.