The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-03-16

Pal Text Of His Lstssr-win Actively Ea-
ter The Campaign.

Ezl Text OF His L5ttar-EiA -ctif-iJ -
ter The Campaign.
John wananalSer on Thursday norm
ing made reply TO the committee fEom the
Bourse meeting. which asked him 70 be
car date for governor. He consents 70
run mis- letter follows:
DEAR SIRs: Iconscnt 10 bea candidate
for governor in pursuance with your re-
quest presented tc me February Z. My
reply 10 you has been necessarily delayed.
These are the reasons:
have not wanted To become candi-
date and add 10 my labors the duties of
personally conducting campaign
have been endeavoring to persuade
you to select any one Of dozen men of
the state available for the place.
/ ardently hoped that the leaders of the
Republican party would accept the notice
served upon them by the Bourse meeting
that the people intend 70 have something
TO say as TO who should be their next gov
ernor.
The developments of the past two weeks
have been invaluable to your cause and
conclusive upon me in determining my
action.
The crisis upon us is serious in its bear
ing upon the future standing and pros
perity of the state. Since the last three
county conventions / have had clearer
vision of the dangers of the situation and
now, after ample time 10 analyze existing
conditions, aud having carefully consid-
cred every phase of the situation from all
political standpoints, have arrived al
this final decision with comprehensive
knowledge of what the contest involves
personally and what the chances of sue
cess are.
am neither deceived nor influenced by
false hopes, and know fall well what my
prospects Of success are; with the dele
gate-electinn machinery in the hands OF
the enemy; with primaries and conyen-
ti0ns so manipulated as TO defeat instead
of register the will of the voter; with the
same highhanded methods that were en-
ployed to send an almost solid delegation
20 the last national convention instructed
for Senator Quay. when an overwhelming
majority of the voters of the state were
for Mckinley; with manufactured con-
tests and bogus claims to be sustained by
a state committee that can be relied upon
to seat enough contesting delegates to
give the machine candidate a majority
As was done at the last years state con-
vention with the delegates of the 9th dis
trict Of Philadelphia-and the contest that
is now set up, without a scintilla of regu-
larity or legality, in the 2Ith district Of
Philadelphia, involving six delegates,
and with a chairman who gives timely
warning that the state organization will
be against me if nominated.
But am no more moved by these con-
ditions than by the rumored deals of poll
ticians, the threats of character assasssins,
the tongue of slander or the fact that near
ly one-third of all the delegates to the
next state convention have already been
elected. ignore all personal -eonsidera-
tiOns, l accept your invitation as a call of
duty, and making the issue one of prin-
eiple, not spoils, l am ready 10 go forward
with you in your battle for political
emancipation, convinced that the right
will ultimately triumph and that the peo-
pie desire 70 settle the question them
selves. anI settle itthis very year.
Ii this action of yours in bringing me
into the field creates discord within party
ranks. take no blame therefor, as have
not solicited the nomination. Neither is
it essential that be elected governor. 1t
will cost me nothing 10 step aside at any
time for such man as you and your as
sociates agree to; who represents some
thing more than slate or the will of a
perpetuating boss. / simply hold il to be
imperative that some one shall be select
ed to whom the interests of the state can
be safely entrusted, who shall represent
the people, not the edict Of any one man.
Therefore, let there be no misunder-
standing as to where the responsibility
rests, and let the Republican voters de-
mand strict accounting. With school
funds long past due, and personal prop
erty taxes withheld from counties to al
low the state treasurer to farm out mill
liols of dollars to favorite banks; with a
capitol commission breaking down the
restrictive barriers erected by popular
sentiment, and planning building that
will cost millions when complete; with
the knowledge that indemnity bonds,
padded pay rolls, LexOw bills, legislative
junketings. AMI mileage grabbers will be
paid out of the state treasury. if the ma
chine elects its governor, am convinced
from proofs in my hands from all parts
of the state that the people are ready to
unite with you in driving back the bosses
and re entering upon their rightful in
heritance.
The next chief executive OF Pennsylva-
mia must be a man possessing the fullest
confidence of the the people, without
Lexow collar and free from every stamp
of the machine.
When the people rise they are all ll-pOw
erful 10 desire the end of misgovernment
of cities and states. 1t may take time and
toll, bat there must be many true men
and women in Pennsylvania ready 10
take a stand and remain standing until a
new order of politics is an acc ,mplished
fact.
Somebody must begin. I am ready to
do my part. The fight must be fought
and fought to the finish if it takes all
summer with the autumn and winter
thrown in.
My views in detail as 70 the live issues
Of the hour, may have the honor to i've
hereafter.
JOHN WANAMAKER.