Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-08-03
ya,lp Kennspee 3entnal
LUTHER MCKINNEY
States His Platform !" an
Open Letter
!, Which He Accepts Nomination Of
:" Democratic Party
\. ts..mpl. 70 dispose OF the Charges q
W.A. Ieiircys.

It. MChH"N'' g, -, :,
,or congressman, has issued 'he l"-
lowing letter of acceptance:
.ho chairman and Members of the
Notjdcation Committee;
cent,emen-Your official commum-
,rsorming me of my unanimous
nomination for Congress- IN the flfs'
,,,,re district, was duly received.
This high honor that the convention
conferred upon me. as many OIL your
sssociates know, came to me without
r,lcitation on my part, ana IN fact'
a,raotlv against my personal wishes,
os raneatedly expressed TO those who
ao,,,;ted me to accept the honor, be-
fors the convention assembled.
put the unanimity of the members
81 the convention which placed me in
nom;nation. prevented me from fol-
loving nv own inclinations at the
time 10 decline the nomination.: hut
haIiavng it to be the duty of every
American TO answer the call of his fell
Iow-cltizenfs. when he is asked to lead
them in a political contest, | accept
the honor the convention has confer
red upon me, fully realizing its re-
snonsibilities. and With a full determi-
nation TO make the best Of the oppor-
tunnies that may come to the party
in this campaign. relying on the Demo-
Gratis of this district to give me, with
the other candidates of the party.
oyal and united support.
II is unnecessary to discuss here the
platforms of the district and State
conventions; they have been promul-
gated and every Democrat should
support the principles therein express
ed whether they are in all respects in
harmony with his personal preferences
or not. Il would be impossible to
formulate a platform that would in all
respects, meet the personal views of
every member of a political party.
However, as long as we believe in the
principles of Democracy. We can unite
in opposing the common enemy and
place in power if victorious, those who
will carry out the will of the consti-
tuency which is responsible for their
election.
The candidate Of a party is the SER
want of the party; when elected it is
his highest duty, to endeavor by all
honorable means. to represent the
party, and If his office be a legislative
one, he should advocate such legisla-
tlon as will be in harmony with party
principles, and for the best interests
of the people. No honest legislator
will act upon any issue of national inn
pJrtance without consulting the
wishes of his constituency and follow
ing the Judgment of the majority
thereof. To such line of conduct.
pledge myself. in case 1 shall be
elected ....
Our candidate for Governor, Hon.
Samuel l., Lord, has in an able man.
ner discussed State issues in his letter
OF acceptance, which I fully endorse,
and therefore it is unnecessary for me
to refer to the subject here.
The Republican party was placed in
full control of the executive legisla-
i've branches of the government. by
the last national election; that contest
was fought on the financial issues then
before the country. The leaders of the
party then admitted that some finan-
clai legislation was necessary, and
promised If placed in power, to give
lhe country such legislation as would
protect our treasury from the neces-
sHy OF repeated bond sales. in order to
Keep cur various currencies at a
llfltN. and ~ L.
currency for the people
lhe Republican leaders also prom
ased that, If returned to power. they
wound not enact tariff legislation that
would place 50 heavy a burden on inn
ports as did the Mckinley bill.
Inc hrst act of the President. after
lis Inauguration, was to call Congress
'"sether IN extraordinary session. to
i"iSe revenues sufficient for the suppor,
vi 'he government. The present Ding
hy law was the result The bin was
i''' passed simply with the idea of rev
s"ue' oue was formulated with the idea
VI protection. every interest in tho
.uu,"fy pelng consulted regarding the
t'o''o'oi they desired on their par
".uiar business; in many cases the
ia'es are much higher than they were
!" the Mckinley law. The present
'dr'i law has been in force more than a
.'''' YET 1t has not furnished as much
N''iue from imports. as did the Will
80" Jaw, and has come far short of
producing sufficient revenue for tho
'rpott oi the government. 1t has nj
,,, ia''eu TO restore our manufac-
ms industries to their former pros
as the party claimed it would
e" England has never had greater in
se,ia' n'' depression than since the
Dlnsley law was enacted
mere mas been a universal cut in
aeeS anu during the last winter there
"'s untold suffering caused bv strikes
mat We're brought about bv red,,ctio,
,ho @ses, Thus as regards the tariff
g. pupiican party has utterly failed
,a. .'i''' us promises. both as to the
m m'e'uie OF the law and the results thai
were claimed for it.
s; pieseht Congress has been in ses-
,ha S,a1ee II came into power for more
co,,,. months, yet it has given the
~ no financial legislation, excent
~ measure known as the coinage of
violat.A ase, and that too. in direct
'oh mas,;' OF their pledges regarding a
mom., ss.ol mat they claimed to be para
tina "i uie voters of this country con-
f,iloa party in power that has utterly
norto ~ ludlll its pledges on every i'm
hus;nn hne issue before the country, while
niness ;n'a, depression is the ru1e in al,
e''ti MI Cent l.,