The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-27
IS NOT SEEKING 1T.
Russsll Speaks Concerning the Pres
idential Nomination.

New York, April 27.--The Wcrld today
prints the following signed statement
OF Ex-Governor William f. Russell of
Massachusetts, In response to a ques-
tion from one OF It's staff correspondents:
IT am greatly surprised TO hear that
the action OF the Massachusetts conven-
tion has attracted any special attention
outside the state. While / greatly ap-
preciate the compliment OF an endorse
ment by'my state, am not seeking the
nomination. nor am / desirous OF being
the candidate, nor do wish any move
ment made In any state In my interest
'On the contrary, 1 have already
earnestly requested that no such move-
ment be made I'm any other state by
friends OF mine. My belief Is that IL
Is all important that when the Chicago
convention meets. it's delegates should
be absolutely free TO deliberate and act
clear of all instructions or pledges OF
even expressed preferences-at least SO
far as am concerned i do not know
that any movement personal to me is
contemplated If IT is, request and in
sist that II should not be made
1T seems 10 me that our party should
leave il 10 their good judgment, in view
OF the situation as IL then appears. to
determine what is best TO be done. II
will be time enough to consider candi-
dates then.
''rhe important thing now is 20 make
every efrUTt 10 have the Democratic
party take an absolutely sound position
ON the money question. without evasion
k.If Of al
consequence to the party for its present
and it's future.
II sm firmly OF the opinion. as have
recently said, that our national platform
ought explicitly and emphatically OPP
pose the free coinage of silver or its COM
pulsory purchase, or any compromise
legislation In that direction, and that 1t
ought endorse and commend the admin
istration of President Cleveland for its
resolute work in maintaining our present
gold standard and in preserving the
credit Of the natio..
Il think il would be neither right nor
wise to attempt to avoid or straddle this
question by any ambiguous or meaning
less declaration. The time has passed
for that
THE Issue must be made and fought
A Boston special to The World, In
which the ex-governor is interviewed at
length snpplements the abeHe=state-
ment. In the course of this interview,
he says: The position 90 president is
one OF tremendous responsibility. 1t
involves so many things. requires so
much OF the man who would fill il.
doubt-yes, | doubt very much--if /
would care to take up the load were II
thrust upon me.
II believe that a president should go
into office unfettered Therefore, [
hold firmly that could never even se a
candidate on a platform that was not in
accordance with my own principles. /
would never consent TO straddle on
finance, or any other public question. /
should not go into Office bound by ham,
pelfng declarations. restricted I'm the
power OF veto, helpless I'm authority"
Would you accept a nomination upon
platform OF your beliefs?"
II don't know. l should hesitate very
seriously. But this is too far ahead. |
tell you I'm all earnestness again that
first the Democratic party must settle
these financial questions that are dis
turbing the country. don't care what
other men may be doing about seeking o
nomination. but OF this one thing / am
positive--no one shall go To the conven-
tlon pledged to me and unmlndful OF
what is best for the party and the coun-
try"
. Double-IIcaded CcaAention.
Waterloo, Ia. April "a - The gold
standard people won n victory I'm the
home county OF Governor Boies Sat
urday They out-numbered the silver
Boies men three 60 two. The convention
was characterized by the widest scenes.
In the outset the Cleveland men cap
tured the convention. Just as the or
ganization was perfected Chairman
Scott of the central committee entered
the hall, ignored the proceedings and
called another convention. Thus the
conventions proceeded I'm the same hail
simultaneously, each bowling the other
down. The disturbance continued for
more than an hour The Cleveland men
summoned Sheriff Law. and Marshal
Klingman was brought on the scene by
the white metal men. No arrests were