Smyrna times., 1900-07-18
REJECTED DEMOCRATIC PARTY
DISTRICT ATTORNEY JAMES NJ. BECK OF
PHILADELPHIA ANNOUNCES His VIEWS.
He Says: 81 Have Not Left the Democratic
Party For There is None to Leave.
II Died an Unnatural Death.

1t Died an Unnatural Death.
After more than four years of efic-
lent services, United States District
Attorney James NJ. Beck, has resigned
his office in Philadelphia. Following
that action Mr.. Beck openly refuses to
longer continue masquerading as
Democrat and announces that he is
Republican. He is unable, he de-
clares, to stand with a party that be-
lieves in free silver and is in favor of
hauling down the American flag in the
Philippines.
Mr.. Beck, who was appointed by
President Cleveland, visited Washing
ton and personality handed his letter
of resignation to Attorney General
Griggs. Mr.. Beck's four-year term
expired about three months ago, but
his successor was not named because
of the desire of the Government offic-
ials that the District Attorney should
before retiring, finish up number of
important cases that were now pend
ing.
When questioned as to his position
in the coming political contest, Mr..
Beck said:
ST publicly opposed Bryan and
Bryanites four years ago, and am even
more opposed to both now, for the rea-
son that four years ago the Chicago
platform was adopted in moment Cf
frenzy and decentralization. [ had
hoped in common with many others,
that after the inevitable defeat of 1896,
the Democratic party would abandon
the policy of reputation necessarily
involved in the free silver dogma, and
I could then return to its ranks, in
which l had served for fifteen years.
After four years of discussion and de-
liberation, however, the Democratic
party so-called, has deliberately and
unanimously adopted the same policy
of financial dishoner, and has added
now test of party allegiance in q decla
ration as to foreign affairs, which can
only give aid and comfort to the armed
enemies of the United States.
''On the great questions which have
come up since the late war, touching
the foreign policy of the United States
and its true position among the ma
tions, my sympathies are wholly with
the Republican party. 1 annouced my
belief in expansion when I spoke at
the Omaha Exposition on July 4, and
at a time when neither party had
adopted any fixed policy with refer
ence to it. Why should 1 longer cling
to name, when my reason rejects the
substance of this latter day Democ.
racy?
'I have not left the Democratic
party, for there is none to leave. II
died an unnatural death IN Chicago in
1896, slain by Populist orator from
Nebraska, aided by an Altgeld and {
Croker, and while the Populist party
to-day uses the name Democratic, il
has nothing in common with the Dem
ocratic party of Jefferson, Jackson ant
Cleveland.
ga man is of that party with which
he sympathizes, whatever he may cal
himself. If, therefore, one believes il
free silver and in hauling down tn,
American flag in the Philippines, he il
Democrat, but if he believes in hon
est money and in the supremacy of th,
flag in our territorial possessions, he i
Republican. Between these I had n
hesitation in choosing.
81 have, however, deferred any fol
NAL statement of change of part
afiliation until the Democratic part,
had again spoken authoritively in Ma
tional Convention. 1t has done Sc
Only those are Democrats now wh
accept these new doctrines. l do moi
and prefer to say so, without masquel
aiding under the misleading name of
Gold Democrat. -PhiLGdeLOhia Rec
ord.