Evening journal., 1900-08-08
Long Letter Fully Sets Forth
His Views
WOULD NOT Be IN GOOD FAITH
Ii Is Believed That the POpuIiSt Com
miitce viii Immediately IndOrSe
idlai \. Stevenson

Duluth Mimi. Aug SIN letter to
p. Nj. Ringdahl, chairman and the
members OF the committee Of notifica-
tion Of the candidate for vice president
of the Peoples party Charles A. Towne
has declined the nomination rendered
him by the populist national conven-
tion at Sioux Falls The letter is OF
considerable length and sets forth fully
Mr.. Townc's views in regard 70 the
nomination. II is believed the Popu-
list committee empowered TO fill the
vacancy caused by Mr. Townes with
drawal viii Immediately indorse Adlai
y. Stevenson for vice president on the
ticket with William J. Bryan. Mr..
Towne's letter is in part as follows
After mature consideration of all
the factors involved that concern the
welface OF the cause Of political reform
in this country, and my own duty
thereto. / am constrained to inform
you in All respect that ] must decline
the nomination rendered me by the
Sioux Falls convention. In annonnc-
| Ing this conclusion, ! cannot forbear
TO express to you. and through you,
to the great convention whose COM
mission you hold, as well as to that
patriotic body Of advanced political
thought that your convention repre-
sented my deep sense Of the honor
conferred upon me.
"rhe action Of The Sioux Falls con-
vention IA nominating for president a
Z representative OF the Democratic party
and for vice president a representative
OF the Silver Republican party, is one
of the most encouraging and inspiring
/ AZ frt
selnshness and magnanimlty, It's testi-
mony of the precedence of the cause Of
the people over any merely partisan
advantage, raised the procedure OF that
convention into the serene upper air of
true civic heroism. The Silver Repnb-
licans. 1880 delegates, were indeed
eager to name the ticket chosen at
Sioux Falls, but 70 the great Demo-
cratic convention another course COM
mended itself
THAT convention selected Hon. Ad-
Tai ". Stevenson. of Illinois. man Of
unimpeachable character and ripe po-
lliticel experience, who as a member Of
congress more than 20 years ago was a
close associate and oolaborer Of Gen.
j. b. Weaver and other great leaders
in the reform political movements of
that day. and who, as vice president
from 1893 to 1897. distinguished himself
by rebelllng against the betrayal OF
| Democratic principles by President
II Cleveland.
Everybody knows that either Mr.
stevenson or Roosevelt is to be the
next vice president of the United
States. / am expected to take a labor
ious part in the campaign. shall. OF
course. advocate the election Of Bryan
and Stevenson. In what light should
appear before the American people
IT, while advocating the election Of
one ticket, / should be going through
the form Of running on another? Mo-
body In the United States would think
had the slightest chance Of being
} elected, and nobody would believe that
/ considered myself seriously as can
didate unless at the same time he be-
lleved me 70 be absolutely lacking IN
common sense. Whom could such a
phantom candidacy deceive2 What
respect should I deserve, indeed, If in
such a matter I should attempt to de-
ceive anybody whatsoever I know
the Peoples party TO be composed of
men most exceptionally keen and ex-
pert IN political judgment So obvious
a sham could not elude their vision"