The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-21
Refuses to IndOrse Chicago Platform
bat Announces His Willingness
to Vote for Bryan.
BRYAN'S VOICE In GOOD TRIM
INSPECTED BY POPOCRATIC MEN In
WASHINGTON YESTERDAY.
COnfers with PopuIist Butler and Re-
Iieves the Silver Sentiment Is
Rapidly Growing.

ALBANY, n. Y, Sept. 2O.-By making an
official statement late tonight of his posi-
tion on the financial question and by declar-
ing in that statement that he is unalterably
for gold, John Boyd Thacher, Democratic
nominee for Governor creates one of the
most curious situations ever known in
politics in this State.
The statement was issued after long
conference with Senator HILL Elliot c. Dan
forth, who was at Senator Hills house,
and d. Cady Herrick the Democratic lead
er in this county. 1t was addressed to the
chairman of the State committee. 1t is be-
ieved this course is approved by Sena-
tor Hill, William F. Sheehan and others
not in attendance at the State convention
and is intended to try and fend off any
nomination of second Democratic ticket
at Brooklyn and enforce a fight at the
polls on State issues, leaving the national
ticket entirely out of the question. Mr.
Thacher declares that he is against free sill
yer, but will vote for Bryan and Sewal for
regularity and fight the campaign on State
issues only.
The letter says: II am informed that the
Democratic party of the State, in conven-
ton assembled at Buffalo on Sept. II, 1896
did me the honor of naming me as its can
didate for the high office of Governor. /
now learn that the State committee is to
meet on Tuesday for the purpose of APP
pointing a committee to officially notify me
of that fact. 1t has seemed to me due to
your committee that before it takes that
step should make a statement. l cannot
ask for the confidence and support of the
people of the State without frankly de-
claring my position on the financial issue
now agtating the public. stand to-day
I i'm hA of I1pa in,
the presence of a convention of the State
Democracy. / have not changed an iota
in my belief, nor deviated a step in nv
course. The commercial honor of this coun-
try is pledged to the world. and the world
knows that the Nation will maintain its
honor.
STILL A DEMOCRAT.
'I took part in the State convention
which Sent delegates to represent the party
in national convention at Chicago Those
delegates by participation acquesced in the
action of the national convention by pre-
senting candidates for the offices of Presi-
dent and Vice President of the United
States. The State convention of the Dem
ocratic party has ratified the nomination of
these candidates. 1 have learned from the
fathers ard in turn have endeavored to
teach that the Democratic party is a We
hicle to carry the will of the people into
effect. Such a vehicle is constructed with
difficulty. but is easily destroyed. Failure
now and then to perform absolutely sat
isfactory service will not justify the utter
destruction of the vehicle. 1t was con-
structed not to bear burden, but many
and various burdens. When the financial
burden is finally disposed of the people
will still employ the Democratic party to
support their purposes and to carry them
intn off dn tb,,
that party L for one do not want it to be
shattered and dismembered but to be
strong, united and efficient. Therefore I
shall cast my vote for William Jennings
Bryan and Arthur Sewall, the candidates
in due and regular form chosen by ma
jority of that convention. l regret that l
cannot be in full accord on the question of
finance with the sentiment of the late con-
vention, but if my position seems inhar-
monious with the usual attitude of a cam
didate towards his party it should be re-
membered that the conditions are also un-
usual.
I'm nominating me I assume that the
convention was not unaware of my finan-
cial views as expressed in my public utter
ances and that it was induced to accord
me that distinguished honor in view of the
fact that under the constitution a Governor
of this State has no official connection
whatever with matters pertaining to the
national currency 1t was apparent at Chi
cago and Buffalo, and is expressed at ev-
cry gathering where public questions are
discussed, that the people dissatisfied
with the present condition of public affairs.
and 1 am in sympathy with every move
ment, not revolutionary In character,
which seeks to take the burdens off the
shoulders of the masses and restore pros
perity and peace to all the people.
when the Republican Legislature ad- /
journed in May, 1896, it left record be-
hind it which every Democratic and inde-
pendent voter in the State believed would
be an issue before the people this fall No
question purely national should be permit
ted to divert people in this State from
pronouncing, by change of adminlStra-
tion. verdict against this record. Includ-
"a =, 4be recor5 Of rho PenuhIican apis
lature was shameful disregard for the
interest of the municipalities of the State.
dwells in cities. and this population pos
sesses rs per cent of the wealth of the
the Legislature, and was myself an official
victim of some of its legislation, I per-
haps entitled to be heard as to it's record.
1t was guilty of a grievous sin of omission.
The Constitution requires that uni
form charters shall be granted to cities of
the same class. A commission reported
early in the session proper forms of char
terS for cities of the second and third class
stitutonal directions, but on the contrary
proceeded to amend charters already eX-
listing by taking power from the officials in
Democratic cities and clothing with un-
usual power the officials in Republican
cities.
THE SINFUL REPUBLICANS.
''The Republican members in the Legis-
lature by force of arms and against the
protests of honorable members of their
own party, passed bill taking from the
Democratic Mayor of Albany all power
over the police of that city. Without power
to control the police Mayor is powerless
to enforce order and to secure peace for
his city. Similar legislation proposed
for other Democratic cities. but was post
poned uztil the coming year. The Repub-
iican Legislature. in order to accomplish
its purposes violated parliamentary rules,
ruthlessiy rode over the sacred rights of
members employed physical force to intinl-
idate opposition, closed the doors Of the
assembly to the public and conducted itself
utter aha udonment deceprv and