St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-07-23
Wilson Doesn't Want 1t.

Special to the GLOBE.
WINoNA, July 22.-The following letter,
written by Judge Thomas Wilson to Hon.
Hugh Murray of the Democratic con-
gresSional committee of the First District.
will occasion surprise and disappointment
among Judge Wilson's hosts of friends
throughout the state, who have all along
regarded him as the fitting man to lead the
First district Democrats to victory in the
coming campaign.
Referring to our conversation q few days
ago, relative to my candidacy for congress,
wish to say that on further reflection my
views remain unchanged. While l would
esteem it an honor to be. on account of any
supposed fitness or worth Oil my part, yolun-
tarily nominated or chosen by my nelghoors
and friends for such place, and while there
are confronting us questions OF unsurpassed
Importance to the country, and to all classes
of our people, which must be settled, or at
least considered and passed upon by congres,iH
the consideration and settlement or Whlcn IL
would give me pleasure to take some part,
yet, consulting my own feeling and interests
merely. would decline to accept u nomina-
ton, even if assured of an election. Recog-
nZing, however, my obligations to my friends,
and desiring to oblige them, might. perhaps,
feel constrained to accede to their wishes in
this case if felt any
REASONABLE ASSURANCE
chances of success. But l do not feel such
assurance. On the contrary, as / stated to
you think that / would probably lose many
votes which would be cast for some other cam
didate if nominated our ticket. And 1t IS
to be borne in mind that while happily party
ties are growing weaker year by year, and
electors feel more and more inclined to vote
according TO their convictions unintu-
enced by party bosses or party
names, it is hardly probable that
we have so far advanced in the direction OF
independent political action that anyone can
be elected in this district this year who is not
called Republican, if any influential class or
any great number of electors outside of the
Repu blican party oppose him. L believe
would be opposed by some who could 1nf1u-
ence great many votes. have never been
Oh attempted TO be prudent" My action in
the legislature land out of it, has by no means
been always acceptable; on the contrary it
has at times been deemed very Objectionable
by certain influential parties. My action on
the high license bill gave very great oHenSe.
How far that has been condoned L have no
means of knowing. But my opposition to the
granting of lands or other subsidy, or to the
reviving of any land grant to any railroad
company, and my course in favor Of the tax
alton of the socalled railroad lands and in OPP
position to the right of power OF
FOREIGN CORPORATIONS
to transfer causes from the state courts to
ally to the expansion of the power Of corpora
lions would place in opposition to me nearly
every railroad company and corporation in
the state; while on the other hand the fact
that have been employed not infrequently
as the attorney of some railroad companies
and other corporations would enable certain
persons to misrepresent me and my views
and perhaps to prejudice me in the estimation
of some honest persons who do not know
what views l entertain or what l have advo-
Gated or done. Under the circumstances
therefore, | wish to have it clearly under
stood that am not a candidate. 1 know there
is at least an apparent indelicacy and impro-
priety in declining in advance nomination
that has been rendered me. But it
would be atfectatiou for me to
seem to ignore the fact that
am spoken of and looked to in someSquarters
as a probable candidate, and L therefore
think it proper that my position should be
known. Permit me to add that it is espe-
cially desirable that this year we should put
forward man who shall both deserve and
command the respect and support of the peo-
pla, and that I shall, to the extent of my
power, aid in the election of such man. /
wish here to express to you and other friends
my hearty thanks for the confidence and
friendship so generously expressed. Yours
truly, THOMAS WILSON.
Winona, July %.
Who will now come forward as the DEM
ocratic candidate it is difficult to determine
1t had been so generally conceded by all
that Judge Wilson was the coming man
that no one else for moment thought of
entering the race.