The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-09-18
HAS ACCEPTED
~ THE NOMINATION
Edward Merrifield Will Be the Demo.
cratic Standard Bearer.
HIS LETTER TO Mr. JENNINGS
Hesitated Because He Disliked TO
Enter the Political Fieid..Wii
Only stand rs a Candidate with the
Cndersta nding That lie Will Not BE
Expected TO Contribute Money to
the Campaign.

Attorney Edward Merrilield has de-
cided to accept the nomination for con-
gress rendered to him by the Demo-
cratic county convention which met ON
Sept, 8 in Music hall. Since his nomin-
alton Mr.. Merrifield has had the mat
ter of it's acceptance under considera-
tion, and has had many consultations
with the party leaders regarding II.
He wanted assurance that he would
not be requested to furnish money to
conduct the campaign and his accept
ance is based upon the promise that
he will not have to unite his purse
strings.
In his letter of acceptance he serves
notice that he must not be expected to
contribute. 1t was sent yesterday to
r. J. Jennings, chairman of the con-
vention. and is follows:
Thomas j. Jennings, esq. Chairman DEM
ocratc Conventions:
Dear Sir:-Your communication formal
ly notifying ME of my nomination for con-
gress by the recent Democratic convention
has been very carefully considered. No
one more than ] can have II higher appre-
citation of the honor conferred, or could
feel more grateful than | for the s91n S,l
opinion of those who placed me IN this
position. My great hesitation has been my
dislike to again enter the political field. !
have had a Surfeit of the notoriety mel
dent to a candidacy for Office, and | had
promised myself that no circumstance
should induce repetition.
The conditions surrounding the present
complication have caused me to reconsid-
or my objections, which were not only
paramount before, but since the conven-
tion: and which We're expressed to you In
formal declinatiOn which you have seen
lit to withhold. These are perilous times.
rl.a ,trip Of left
coin and James G, Blaine on the subject
of finance are seriously threatened ana
those who put me in nominal ton. in COM
mon with myself, believe that their sub
version will be an end ~ Republican gov
ernment.
WHAT HIS FRIENDS URGE.
have some friends who seem very anX-
ious that / should not run. l have more
tten to one) who are equally anxious that
l should and put 1t on the ground, not
only of probale success, but that ii Is a
duty which | owe to my party and the
principles | represent. If, therefore. | can
stand as the candidate without any en-
pectation of my contributing money TO run
the campaign will forcgo my objections.
The use of money | cannot make. There
was Il very expressive motto on one of
the banners carried by the Kentucky
farmers at the great 'ryan demonStra-
ton in Lexington the other day. IL read,
"Our barns are full, but our pockets are
empty" ] am very much in the same nN.
The ruinous financial policy of Grover
Cleveland and which it Is proposed TO con-
tinue another -four years IN case ot the
election Of Mckinley, has been so dele
terious to the industrial and middle class
es. that all business is paralyZed. Nearly
$500 0O0, 900 have been added to the debt of
the nation, and more must follow In case
OF q continuation of the same policy.
This heavy burden all falls on the Ia
boring class: for they are the only pro-
ducers of wealth. The leading thought
how TO max. Il dollar that will purchase
most for them in the European markets
on the other hand, the leading thoughts
in the minds of the common people, is how
20 get full time employment; and how IL
get any kind of a dollar that will stay
hunger and clothe their nakedness. AT
present the money power Is on top. They
have precipitated a conflict with the in
dustria masses and the result ought not
TO he in doubt True, they have the money
and the power. On the other side. there
are the numbers: and 1t must not be for
gotten that the battle to no, to the strong
the brave" This battle of the ballots must
be fought by individual and voluntary eff
fort. 1t cannot be won on any other line
SOME COMPARISONS.
! know very well that do not stand
on an equal footing with my opponent. H.,
is several years older than l am ana has
unlimited means at his command. In an
other sense. we are on an equality. We
have both run for office in this county and
both been defeated As TO devotion to tn.
interests OF the people of this county and
valley, in whatever shape or form they
may come up, ] will not yield to any man
Without money, therefore, ! believe
have the hands and hearts of the thou
sands Of sturdy men whose labor has
made us all that We are and who must
be prosperous 10 make MS all that ".
hope to be.
If. however, | may be sacrificed on :,
golden altar ! shall have the satiSfac.
tion of knowing that | have done my
duty for the cause Of humanity in a sti-
preme effort TO restore oppressed labor Il
| It's rightful place in the body polite.
f.. Merriiield
Scranton, Pa, Sept. H. 1896;