The San Francisco call., 1896-04-30
SENATOR WoLC0Tr,s STAND.
He Plainly States the Duty of Colorado
RepubiicanS.

He Plainly States the Duty of Colorado
Republicans.
" NASHINGTON, D. c., April 29.-Sen-
ator Wolcott of Colorado has sent the
subjoined letter to the Hon. Irving w.
Howbert, chairman of the Republican
State Committee of Colorado. At this
time and in view of the recent action in
the Senate of the silver Republicans from
the West the stand taken by Senator VOL
colt is of widespread interest. The letter
is as follows:
WASHINGTON, D. c., April %, 1896.
My Dear SIR: During the past few weeks
have received many letters from Colorado
friends on the subject of the coming Republi-
can National Convention, many of them ask
ing if I desired to go as delegate. To avoid
any possible misconception as to my position
l write this letter to you as chairman of the
Republican State Committee. l prefer not to
go to st. Louis as delegate, and have carefully
avoided the slightest indication to anybody Of
any sort OF wish to be present at the conven-
tion in that capacity. I have, however, an
opinion on the subject of our represen tation at
the convention, which it seems proper that
should express TO you.
When the Republican State Convention
meets on May IA it may decline to be repre-
sented at St. Louis or it may select delegates
II the latter the duty of the delegation, in my
opinion, will be to attend the convention, make
the best fight possible for bimetallism in the
committee on resolutions and on the floor of
the convention, if there shall be an opportun-
ity for discussion before the whole convention,
and after having insisted by every proper
method upon the duty of the convention to
declare in favor OF the restoration of silver as
measure of value equally with gold, to ac-
cept the will OF the majority of the convention
and endeavor to secure the nomination of the
candidate most friendly to Western interests.
There is no sacrifice would not make to Sc
cure the reconciliation of silver, both because
in my opinion prosperity will never return to
US until bimetaliism at the former ratio is re-
established and because the appreciating value
OF gold and the shrinkage of the values which
necessarily follow this appreciation, must bring
only disaster and poverty and suffering to ali
the people OF this country who are not lenders
OF money. To secure the unlimited coinage of
silver, would count party ties as nothing. At
this moment, however, the situation which
confronts US is this Both of the two great
parties are apparently opposed to free coinage
by the United States. The Populist party favors
free coinage, but only as a means to secure
more currency and as stepping-stone to un-
limited paper money, and it unites with its
free coinage advocacy, soeialistic and pater-
nalistic doctrines which are dangerous in ten
dency and which would be, If adopted, de-
structive of free institutions
know of no fourth party as yet entitled to
our confidence and support, although the wis
dom OF leaders whose character and abilities we
trust may find some common ground upon
which bimetallists untainted with Populism
may stand.
Under these circumstances and conditions,
therefore, I desire to be counted as Republi-
can, proud of the traditions of my party, glory
ing in its achievements and still hopeful that
the great party which has heretofore stood for
the masses against the classes may on this
great economic question yet rank itself on the
side CT humanity and civilization
II either one OF the two great parties shall
declare in favor of unlimited coinage of silver
at our mints, existing political conditions in
Colorado will undergo sweeping change, and
in this letter speak only of the situation as it
is to-day. There is, in my opinian, one event
which might involve our country in worse
disaster than gold monome tallsm, and only
one, and that would be the triumph of Pop
ulism. Colorado suffered under the degrade
tion and blight of Populist rule for two years.
believe it is the duty OF every good citizen to
stand up and fight in the open against repeti-
ton OF that ruinous experiment.
one thing further: Our representation is
small at best. TO have the slightest weight it
should, if any delegation is selected, be prac.
tically unanimous in sentiment ana express
sion. The occasion is not one where personal
ambitions or desire for patronage should in
fuence selection. I have no doubt that the
Republicans of Colorado will select delegates
who are united by friendly spirit animated
by common and harmonious purpose, desir-
Gus of securing the greatest consideration of
the interests of our commonwealth. This is no
time for differences among our people. have
faith and confidence that the way will be made
clear for good citizens in Colorado to cast their
ballots this fall without sacrificing their honor
EDWARD o. WoLcoTT