The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1896-04-17
Allen Leaves the Presidential Field.

AiitU Leaves Lne JEestufnLfaf tclus
LINCOLN, April s.-United States Sem
ator William v. Allen positively de-
clines t. become a candidate for the
presidential nomination on the popu-
list ticket. The decision was commu-
nicated to Governor Holcomb on March
"a. The letter was in reply to a re-
quest from the governor for a state
ment Of the senator's position. A great
many letters have been received by
Senator Allen from influential populist
politicians in other states prior to and
since the letter was written. In con-
sequence the letter to the governor has
been held in the hopes that Senator
Allen would reconsider his purpose.
He has been stoutly urged to do SO
since declining to Governor Holcomb,
but he absolutely refuses to consider.
His letter of declination. is as follows:
WASHINGTON, March "a, 1896. Hon.
Silas 4. Holcolmb, Lincoln, Neb.: My
Dear GOVERNOR nave just peer read
ing the very pleasant things said of me
in connection with the populist nomin-
alton for the presidency, in your recent
interview published in the press dis
patches, for which please except my
thanks. The favorable mention of my
name with the high Office of president
of the United States by the chief ex-
ecutive of my own state, who is him
self able and well qualified by educa-
ton, temperament and experience to fill
the exalted position, possesses double
value and is trulV gratifying.
] have not been unconscious, for
several months, that a strong senti-
ment existed in the populist party
throughout the nation favorable to my
nomination, and / will not disguise
from you that it has given me much
pleasure to know that my services in
the United States senate have been in
strumental in prompting the use of my
name in that connection. 1 have also
observed quite an extensive discussion
of the matter in the public press, and l
have been the recipient of hundreds of
letters asking me if l would be a can
didate for the nomination, or accept it
if rendered me.
Fully realizing that ordinarily it is to
be considered indicate to either ac-
cept or decline a nomination hat has
INV pSSh SloSl Sos SOA41 2COl tilcU IA
time has come when, in the interest of
the party, 1 should speak openly and
frankly, as l desire above all things to
promote the interest of the populist
party, and by hat means the interest
of my country. Deeply conscious that
it would be a distinguished honor to be
the standard bearer of a great political
party, founded upon the principles of
eternal justice and right, a party that
must, in my Judgment, soon succeed to
the administration of our national gov
eminent. l nevertheless deem it unwise
to permit my name to be used as a can
didate.
L think every true citizen should, at
this time, consult the interests of the
country and not his own personal de-
sire. l do not feel that my experience
has been such as to warrant me in be-
ing n candidate for the nomination, or
in accepting it if it should be rendered
me. There are many older and ADLER
men in the party than / am, highly well
qualified o make the race, and l feel
confident hat | car do the cause great
err good by remaining where l am,
fighting in the ranks for success, than
by accepting the nomination if it should
be rendered. The welfare OF the party,
and, therefore, the welfare of thecoun-
try, IS to be consulted at all times; prin-
ciples count for everything, and men
for nothing, in our struggle.
Permit me also to say in this connec-
tion that there are personal reasons
why / should not be a candidate,
among which is the important fact that
1 have a family of children whose
aducatiOn must be looked after AT this
time, and who need my personal super
vision more now han they have ever
needed it before, or will ever need it
again, and l must not permit myself to
imperil their interests for my own pro-
motion.
Profoundly grateful to my fellow
citizens of the state and nation for the
fattering mention of my name in con-
nection with the highest Office on
earth, l sincerely trust hat hereafter
attention will not be conferred on me,
but on some gentleman better qualified
to discharge the duties of the position
IN the event of an election, and that
wisdom will characterize the forna-
ton of our platform and the nomina-
ton we may make. l have the honor
to be, very truly your friend,
WILLIAM V. ALLEN.
A Fiendish Outrage.