, 1873-11-20
SAMUEL BOWLES.

His DeClinutf0n Of mn Invitation to
Become n Candidate FOR Mayor OF
Springfield, n1nss.
A fow days ago, largo number OF citizens OF
Springfield, Mass, addressed letter to Mr.
Samuel Bowlos, aaking him to accept an inde-
pendent nomination for Mayor. It was pretty
we'll understood that had ho accepted the NOM
ination he would have boon elected; but no de-
clined it in tho following letter:
SrnnoF1ELD, Nov, IT, 1878.
GENTLEMEN: Your invitation, with its sigma
tureB, both surprise ind enbarlass me. Au oc-
cl1pation, equally absorbing and satiafying. and
affording an abundant shnro in public Affairs,
hus left no room for desire Of official position
Held responsible for tho daily criticisms Of 0
Journal at loaat FREQ in ita opinions Of mon, and
measures aud paE.ies it had never seemed to mo
likely tint tho lenders Of local opinion would
find mo III ayailablo candidate, or that the ponu.
lar yoico would call me to public office; It did
not. therefore, toccur to mo that the late fro-
qrent and flattering presentation OF my namo for
the Mayora!ty in one of our daily Journals repro
sontcl more than tho generous feeling OF por~
aonA friends ana old associates. Bnt the npen-
names representing all parties, intorcata, and
oniuious, anl commanding. it Ia not prosumpt11-
Gus to suy, by their numbers and influence tho
office tloy offer, forces the question seriously
l have, therefore, to say that would rather
be Mayor OF Springfield than hold any other
otllca III the gift Of my foilow -citize''H would
greatly like to holp administer tho public aifairo
Of uay nativo city, Of which, year by year, grow
more proud and fond and to como into closer
poYso,,al assoc!ation with ita pcoplo and ito istt
tutious. Further. recognize tho obligation Of
every citizen to answer tho call OF his follow
citizens for his shAro or tho common dutleB o1
tho ruhlto Heryice
Against these considerations. however, are.
first, the conviction that. With all possible per-
Hunnl sacrifice, could not glvo to tho oftico the
time mud strength that it just'y demands Of every
that any one having tho opportunity anu aharlng
tho ambition Of modern journalism Gnu beat
| aervo the public interest by undivided service
in lia profession. With my ine1perioqce in the
! belieyo I hayo the health TO- perform the
| duties OF this oAlco Us 1 should want to and
| you would expect me to; nnd, werc this othor-
;y1He, doubt the wisdom OF turning asido from
my already son1i-public dntios for = personal!
| stiare iu the local Government. Public opinion.
rather tl1an the moro personal leadership Or
party administration, IL fast becoming tho great
Influence in both society and government; and,
| i'll tho education aud direction OF that agoncy,
tho press ia only valuable ally as 1t Ii, and III
| felt to be, Independent Of any personal share
| or interest in tic letas OF the administration
itself.
Thepe reasons oonatrain mo above the tempta-
tIon aud tho duty which you 10 generously place
i cannot think thore Is any s,,oh oxlgonoy in
onr local airairs as to make my aoellnation III
| auy se11He public dungcr or embarrassment; );
above Mcn Hho is rarely endowed, in her liberal
and working clor;y Of aIl branches OF tho Chris
| tian Church, III hor schools and thelg toaellnrs,
iu ler numerous local societies tor public Discus.
sion and CULTURE In ler ,o,iip ,ip.af CHARITIES a a tue
az in lor press, with tho inhtrn,nontalltioa to1
Granting aud directing TINT intelligent and into'
pendent public opinion by which All public quoa'