The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-07
A CHANGE IN CANDIDATES.
Capt. Joseph R. Forbes Declines 10 Make
. the Race for Township Trustee.
The Committee dominates Charles Many to
the Vacancy Thus Caused-A Manly Let
ter from the Declining Candidate.
CAPTAIN FORBES wIrHDRAws.

A Frank and Manly Statement of the Reasons
Prompting His Action.
A topic of more than ordinary interest In local
political circles Yesterday was the withdrawal of
Joseph r. Forbes as the Republican candidate
for township trustee. The night before some
persons heard Mr.. Forbes say that under certain
contingencies he contemplated resigning. He
had. it is said, just returned from an interview
with a minister, whom he regarded as one par
ticnlarly opposed to his candidacy on account of
that gentleman's remarks following the nomina-
ton. Mr.. Forbes did not seem to look upon the
interview as satisfactory and therefore an
nounced his probable withdrawal from the race.
Yesterday morning he visited General Carnahan.
chairman OF the central committee, and eft with
him the following letter:
INDIANAPOLIS, March 6. 1886.
ITO the Members of the Republican Central Commit
tee of Center Township, Marion County:
misunderstanding the Republican Con-
vention of Center township for the honor con-
ferred on me in giving me the nomination for
trustee of this township, | now feel that l have
received the honor. and I most respectfully re-
sign the nomination, and ask that another
person be named in my stead.
be nominated my hearty and unqualified sup
port. Thanking my friends who have stood by
me and honored me, l ask that you give my sue
cessor the same hearty support that you have
given to me. l have always been a Republican.
and shall ever be. / love my party more than I
do any personal benefit, and will cheerfully con-
tribute what I can for the success of the party.
JOSEPH T. FORBES"
General Carnahan said that the interview
with the Withdrawing candidate on this occasion
was brief, but that the latter expressed nothing
but the warmest interest in the Republican
party, and reiterated the sentiment of the letter
that ne would do all he could to secure the
success Of the one nominated in his place. He
regarded Mr.. Forbes's action as simply the re-
suit of an earnest consideration of the chances of
success or failure in his candidacy. He believed
that the gentleman honestly thought he could
serve the interests of the party better by re-
signing than by remaining on the ticket. Mr..
Forbes, he further said. did not particularize or
refer. except incidentally. to the opposition that
had been manifested against him. 1t was the
Generals opinion, from the interview, that the
resignation was devoid of a selfish purpose, and
that the letter meant exactly what it expressed.
w. O.. Patterson secretary of the central com
mittee, mentioned the withdrawal in very much
the same spirit. He said Mr.. Forbes had told
him that he resigned solely after considering the
situation thoughtfully and carefully, without
consulting with anyone except his wife. She adj
VlSe0 aim 10 Withdraw. SAID MT. P2tterSon:
HE evinced no soreness. and expressed himself
anxious to do all he could for the party's candi-
date. He put it in this way: I have looked
ahead in this matter, and am no fool | saw that
] could not be elected. considering the character
Of the opposition against me. and therefore re-
signed. That is all there is of it.'n
Mr.. Forbes, in his expressions to a reporter.
followed very closely what has been detailed
above, saying that he consulted no one about the
matter except his wife. He further said that
the Rev. Mr.. Hunter admitted to himself and
General Carnahan that he had misrepresented
him. as he thought he was talking about a for
mer member of his church. Mr.. Forbes
thought a public retraction would follow this
admission. but it did not come, and
considering other forces opposed to him, he, upon
the advice of his wife, decided to resign.
He did not want his personal interests to stand
in the way of success as 1t was no time for the
party to encourage discussions. He would not
recommend or seek to have nominated a man of
his own choosing as his successor. Whoever was
chosen would get his support, and 1T will be no
half hearted support. either; don't you forget
that. am a Republican. every inch of me. aud
never will be anything else. I want everybody
to bury the Ratchet, and go in and win.'