The Hickman courier., 1871-05-27
Register of the Land once.
Letter of Col. James A. Da yysOn.
Declining the NOmina alton.

FRANKFORT. KY, May 19. 1871.
Hon George W. Craddock, Chairman Demo
cratic State Central Committee:
DEAR SIR:-Having learned that ther,
were doubts about the result of the fna
ballot for Register of the Land Office in
the Democratic State Convention on the
4th inst, / addressed, through you, tC
the State Central Committee, on the 11tt
the following note:
LEDGER OFFICE, Louisville. May II. II
Hon. George w. Craddock, Chairman Demo.
cratic State Central Committee:
DEAR SIR:-I regret that the lasl
ballot for Register of the Land Office is
not published in the official proceedings
of the Democratic Convention. in the
Ieonlon of to day. 1 understand tba,
some persons entertain doubts as to my
nomination- l will occupy no equivocal
| position IN the matter. If / was MOI
the choice Of majority of the Conyen
ton l certainly do not propose to remain
upon the ticket. have no means oi
knowing how the vote stood Colonel
Chrisman, Secretary, has the original
tally of the vote, aud if any mistake was
made in summing up, or in any other
regard, it is the duty Of the Central Com
mittee, as guardians of the interests of
the party, TO ascertain and correct it.
You will therefore oblige me by bringing
the matter to the attention of the Central
Committee, and in my name request an
investigation Of the matter, and official
announcement of the result. If | was
not fairly, and beyond question nomi
mated, can not think of remaining a
candidate. will allow no private in
terest of mine to interfere with the known
will, or disturb the harmony of the Demo
cratic party. Your early attention to
this request will oblige,
Your obedient servant.
JAMES A. DAWSON
have never seen the tally of the bal
lot, but was informed there were reason
able grounds to believe that mistakes
we're made, both Ia setting down and sum
ming up the vote. These mistakes, if
any were made. hoped the committee
would feel authorized to ascertain and
correct. Reaching home this morning.
alter an absence of several days, i learn
the committee have decided otherwise
This leaves but one course proper for me
TO pursue. which is to relieve the party
OF all embarrassment by retiring from the
ticket You will, therefore, convey to
the Central Committee, and through
them to the Democracy of the Stately
whom | have been honored to the full
measure of my deserts-assurances of
my continued devotion to, aud cordial
support of, the principles. organization
aud nominees of the party; and announce
that | do hereby decline the nomination.
as officially proclaimed by the conven
ton. Whatever can do to promote the
triumphant success Of the ticket will be
done with a. hearty good will as though
| did not feel called upon to retire from
IL. wlrich | hops. aad denbfuot viii be
the case with my friends, without ex
ception
| may be permitted to add one word
of thanks to the friends who so warmly
supported me in the convention. A man
never had better friends, nor priced them
higher. For those who opposed me
houorably. no matter how earnestly,
have no other feeling than of respect and
kindness, and it is proper for me to say
entertain this feeling toward each of
the gentlemen who we're my competitors
before the convention.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
j. A. DAWSON.