Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-01-07
Regular Republicans
Submit a Reply TO the Mitch
ell Republicans.
NO COMPROMISE POSSIBLE,
The Issue in Oregon Is the Gold
Standard.
NO COMPROMISE POSSIBLE,
PoRrLANp. Or. Jan. 5. Is

/
"HOn. Sol. Hirsch, Chairman OF the
Mitchell Republican Committee.
DEAR SIR:-Your communications
OF December 81, last, addressed tC
Mr.. Donald Mackay, was by him laid
before the Republican city and county
committee, 1t being deemed that
matters we're therein discussed by
you which should properly he brought
TO the attention Of the whole COM
mittee. The committee has carefully
considered the matters to which you
advert, and now submits its ans
| wer
"The n. .mbers of the committee
are of one mind as to the necessity OF
harmonious action on the part of all
| Republicans. The importance of
his, too, is emphasized from day 10
day as the efforts of all parties op-
posed to the sound financial policy Of
the Republican party makes il mani
fest that, discarding minor differ
ences, they are to unite in one COM
mon assault upon that party which
is the mainstay of sound finance and
good government.
"The committee will at all times
| receiver with satisfaction suggestions
which may be made to IL from any
source that will bring support to the
| principles Of our party and cement
its members in closer union. Yet it
mus t be remembered that, while ques,
tions of opinion and party policy
admit Of compromise, principles
| do not.
1--WE cannot agree with you that
our differences grew out Of the pri-
mary election of 1896. The causes are
long anterior to that election. They
arose out Of questions that had their
beginning many years ago. 1t is the
money question that has divided us.
We could not approve the course of
those who have cOntended for the
| free coinage OF silver,
"What was the state of affairs at
the opening OF the campaign Of 1896?
| One OF our senators and our two rep
resentatives were, and long have been
! advocates of free coinage of silver
For that reason we were unwilling
that they should be returned. We
could not consent then, nor can we
consent now, TO any action or course
! that would result in sending either to
| the senate or TO the house, men not
known To be opposed to the free coin
age OF silver. This is the position OF
the Republican party. Or this posi-
tion we stand. Upon this ground we
opposed he return Of Mr.. Mitchell to
the senate, and Mr.. Ellis to the house.
When the campaign Of 1896 began
these gentlemen were active candi-
dates for reelection, and they had
been flooding the state with free sill
yer literature for years
"FrOm the time when the question
of the free and unlimited coinage of
silver came before the senate OF the
United States down TO the time when
he left the senate, Hon. John III.
Mitchell, senator from this state, con.
st"ntly spoke and voted for IT, lis
Influence with the Republican party
was such, that in 1890, at a time when
the subject was little understood (hP
being candidate for reelection to
the senate), his friends, at his in
stance, caused plank to be inserted
In the Republican platform commit
ting the Republican party Of Oregon
TO the free and unlimited coinage OF
silver at l6 to |. He and they followed
this up by attempting again in 1892 to
have similar declaration incOrpor-
ated Ia the platform of that year, in
tending TO commit the Republican
party OF this state further TO this
course.
'on the 30th day OF January, 1896, a
few weeks before the opening of the
campaign of that year, he delivered
In the senate an elaborate speech
which he scattered by thousands over
Oregon, denOuncing the gold stand.
are as the source OF the difficulties OF
the country, attributlng toit the
alleged poverty of the people, and
urging free coinage OF silver as a rem
edy Mr. Mitchell, in his advocacy OF
free silver, had been able 10 carry the
Oregon delegation with him, with one
notable exception.
"With other Republicans OF Oregon,
the Republicans of Multnomah county
determind To resist this effort TO COM
NIT the. Republican party further to
these false principles They thought
IL high time that the direction of the
party in Oregon should be taken out
OF the hands Of Mr.. Mitchell and his
supporters and committed TO the ad- |
vocacy aud support of sound princl-
Piles.
"For this reason we have opposed |
the return OF Hon. John Ill. Mitchell |
10 the senate. You have striven and /
will strive still, TO re-elect him. Upon |
that issue we separated. You were |
unable 10 control the county conven-
tion, and named ticket which you |
called Mitchell Republican, 1t so
stands on the Official records OF the
county.
"What, tnen, is the difference be
tween usg We are Republicans; you
are M itchell Republicans, We op.
pose the election To the senate OF Mr.. |
Mitchell or any other man who is not |
acknowledgement 10 free coinage OF |
silver, and devoted therefore 20 the
maintenance OF the gold standard. I
You want 20 return Mr. Mitchell 10 |
the senate aud that Is the sole object |
for which your organization exists, !
regardless OF the face that he has
always spoken In the senate and else |
where for free cOiuage OF silver, has
always voted Ia the senate for IL, aud |
never yet, so far as We are aware, has
made any statement public or private, |
IA Ia NO . Nl..s. 4