The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-01-19
COFFR0TH FOR GOVERNOR
The Ex-congressman Placed in Nomination
BY the Uuterrihsd Democracy of
Somerset CouatY.
TaE GENERAL WILLING TO ACCEPT TIE
NOMINATION ON A IG TO
PLATFORM.

the da;ly press Of the country was point
ing 10 the fact that but two Of the distin-
guished men who had served as pail
bearers at the funeral of Abraham Lin
coin, Messrs. Dawes and Worthington,
remain On earth, the representa-
lives Of the Somerset County Democrats
assembled in the Office Of the Democrat,
and placed in nomination the third sur
vivor Of that famous body, General Alex
ander Hamilton Coffroth, for the con-
spicuous office of Governor Of the Com
monwealth of Pennsylvania
County Commissioner L. A. Kretehman
offered the following:
Believing that the Democrats of West
ern Pennsylvania are entitled to the
gubernatorial nomination this year, and
realizing that the nominee shoulc be
man OF strict integrity. of great business
capacity, of exceptional executive ability
and answering Democracy, we. the rep
resentatives of the Democracy of Somer-
set county. in annual convention assem-
bled, do most strongly urge the nomina-
tiOn of Hon. Alexander II. Coffroth, SOM
ersets distinguished citizen, for Gov
ernOr.
In him are embodied all the qualities
essential to a successful, faithful and
trustworthy executive. He has been sue
cessful in business life, Is learned in the
law, and has served his constituents and
his country faithfully and well in the
House of Congress.
AS the only nominee for Elector-at-
Large in 1896 who remained on the ticket,
and fought aggressively for the success Of
William J. Bryan, his Democracy can
not be questioned as the faithful cham
piOn of the veteran soldiers during his
several terms in Congress, he not only
did much TO secure legislation TO alleviate
their condition in the hospitals and fields
of battle. but also was one of the ablest
advocates for liberal pen ion laws for de-
serving veterans, their widows and or
phans.
The endorsement of General CofTroth
for the Office of Governor is said to have
been a great surprise to that astute politi-
clan, who, it is known, has a knife up his
sleeve for several of the other eminent
State leaders, but he modestly concealed
his bushes when informed of the County
Committees action, aud consented to ap-
pear before that body, where he delivered
a characteristic speech. He was glad, be
said, that he had always remained faith
ful to his party, no matter whether it de-
clared for high tariff in its State plat
forms and for free trade in its National
platforms. for a single gold standard at
Allentown or for the free and unlimited
coinage OF silver at the ratio of IS to
without the consent of any other nation
at Chicago; that he had remained its
steadfast friend throughout all of its
checkered career, even when it compelled
its members 10 go TO bed with one set Of
principles and get up with another; that.
he was in favor of the money Of the con-
stitution, not the money of Jackson or
jefferson or any other old medium of ex-
change, bat the money the Chicago plat
form demands, be they fifty cent dollars
or golden eagles.
Seriously, the General thanked the
members of the County Committee for
the honor they had conferred upon him,
and proclaimed his unaltering devotion
to the Chicago platform. Subsequently
he said that it was fiattering to have the
vote of confidence the resolution endOrs-
ing him implied, but he was unwilling to
say whether or not he will make a con-
test for the nomination for Governor in
the coming State convention.
Gen. Coffroth has three times been elect
ed TO the lower house of the Congress Of
the United States, and during his service
in that high Office was one of the most
conspicuous and able Representatives of
his party. For more than a quarter of a
century he has been looked upon as one
OF the leaders of his party in Pennsylva-
MIA and has had much to do with holding
it together against fearful odds. He was
the only one -ofthe electors-at-large, in
1896, who remained on the ticket and gave
loyal support to William J. Bryan.
The State Democracy is split into fac
tions with no possible hope of the breech
healing before the battle next November,
and it is not believed that General Cof-
froth will be willing 10 lead his party to
certain defeat. Should he make the nom
ination, he will be as strong a candidate
as his party can present.
The Conmittee gave Gen. CofTroth
power 70 appoint the delegates from this
county to the State Convention.
r. NJ. Linton was reelected Chairman
for the fifth consecutive term.