The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-19

phia contemporary may be taken as a pre-
mature uncovering of the scheme. Re-
publican joy over the proposed abandon
ment of Mr. Bryan by the democratic or
ganization of Pennsylvania seems to have
been unable to longer contain itself"
Mr. Clark upon reading the above,
wrote to Mr.. Guffey as follows:
Butte Mont, June 6.--Hon. J. NJ. Cuff
fey, Pittsburg. Pa: My Dear Sir-I have
been handed by National Committeeman
Notation marked copy of the Harris
burg Patriot. On the first page of the is
sue of June l appears a column article
wherein it is stated that you have prac-
ticaliy abandoned the Chicago platform
and repudiated w. ]. Bryan. Kindly ad-
wise me of the correctness of the state
ment. as I am somewhat Interested hav-
ing been instrumental in securing Judge
McHattons support for your appointment
or election as national committeeman for
Pennsylvania
1T seems to me inconsistent, to say the
least. il the alleged statement is true, that
any democrat would look for commenda-
ton or applause from republican sources
for the stand he may or might take
against Bryan and the Chicago platform.
Permit me to say it does seem to me that
the republicans are mortaily afraid of
Bryan, and well they may be. for without
any doubt he will be the democratic nom
inee and our next president If he lives.
Mr.. Guffeys reply follows:
"Pittsburg, Pa. June 12-Hon Clinton
c. Clark, Butte, Monthly Dear Sir: Your
favor of the 9Th inst. respecting the
marked copy of the Harrisburg Patriot
sent Judge McHatton received and in re-
ply 1 desire to say that the statements
made in the article in question are lies
from the whole cloth but that you may
better understand the animus of the at
tack l shall make q brief explanation
Since our state convention at Altoona
| last year there has existed in democratic
politics In this state small band of
political character assassins (dignified oc-
casionally in the public press by the name
\ of Gordon Orr-Mutchler factionp but
| which, assure you, is a misnomer there
not being enough of them to make a cor
| porals guard. whose sole mission in life
seems to be the circulation of such false
hoods concerning me as the one of which
| you write. The leader of this band Cor
don, was candidate for the gubernato-
rial nomination before the Altoona con-
veEtion, which had assembled with the
avowed purpose of nominating the writer
for that office, which, owing to ill health
was declined, and my refusal 10 support
this Inscriptions fellow for the nominal
ton, throwing my influence to the Hon.
G.. A. jerks Ga Bryan free silver man in
1886, instead. for the very good reason
that Gordon was a blatant anti-Bryan
man in 1896 and opposed the Chicago plat
form. all of which will explain concisely
the cause of these cowardly newspaper at
lacks.
Now, for few words as to how these
attacks gain publicity: The Harrisburg
Patriot, an alleged democratic newspaper
is owned and controlled by Gordon and
Orr, the latter being editor. The Phiadel-
phia North American, in which the arti-
Gle 'Guffey Abandons Bryan first appear
ed. is owned and controlled by John Wan
amaker with whom these gentlemen could
NOT be on more intimate terms politically
were they members of his party (which to
all practical purposes they are), the edi-
torials of his paper being written by Cor
don, and in this instance copied and COM
mented upon in the Patriot by Orr Not
another newspaper in Pennsylvania, either
in city or country, paid any attention to
this diatribe, the inspiration for which
seems to have been drawn from my reply
to a message from the New York World
asking if, in my opinion, Opposition to
trusts would not be the prominent fea-
ture in the democratic national platform
of 1900,' to which question I simply con-
fined myself in replying. So you will see to
what extent Gordon and Orr distorted
that expression of my opinion to suit their
own malicious purposes.
I'm conclusion, / coincide with your
views and want to say to you that I am
for, and the state of Pennsylvania
and her delegation to the national con-
vention of 1900 will be for William J. Bry-
an for president on whatever platform
that convention decides he shall stand,
and l trust you will do me the favor to
so inform Judge Mediation, for whom
have high regard.
Thanking you for drawing my atten-
ton to this matter, believe me, am very
sincerely yours, J. M. GUFFEY."