Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-03-13
Hon. Polk Laffoon's Letter Deolin.
ing to be Returned Again to
Congress.

Congress.
Hon. Polk LailOon has written I'll
following open letter declining TO b
candidate for reelection TO Congress
from the Second Kentucky district
WASHINGTON, ID O., March, 1888
TO the Democrats of Providence
Webster County, Ky: The manner
in which you have appealed to me in
your letter of the 18th, inst, just re-
ceceived, in which you request me to
stand for reelection TO Congress In a
most flattering testimonial OF friend
ship and approval of my course as an
official, and in ackno wledgement 1t
could be less than humor if my heart
did not swell with pride, and still
more, gratitude. In considering the
question severely, am brought face
TO face with a conflicting duty to my
self and my friends, and will endeav-
or to make frank statement on the
subject ofyour communication. Du-
ring my last canvass l made up my
mind that if elected ; it would be my
last race. | so declared to my intl-
mate friends when leaving them, re-
questing them to form other prefer
enccs, and make another choice for a
succeeding term. was DESTROYS
that my Congressional career , sbS',i, 10 (
"a iii M, ,,,.s~--s .orm IN ordef 10
sSnDsefVes a present duty to my private
affairs and to my family holding,
however in nv heart an abiding de-
votion rs my friends who had so long
and so faithfully served me, and
patriotic interest in party and count
ry. During all the past year have
uniformly maintained that resolution,
saying frankly to all my friends, and
to some aspirants for Congress, that
/ would not be candidate. i have
held that conclusion in good faith,
and have never suggested to any one
of my friends throughout the district
or elsewhere, the idea that l would
enter the race. Further than this l
am under no obligations to run for
Congress, but | still desire
to adhere to the conclusions here
tofore continuously announced.
In no sense do l regard my
self as public necessity, notwith-
standing the very urgent request
made by large portion of my con-
stituency, to run, based on this
ground. Besides my Discrimination
to be returned to Congress, the cares
of my canvass for this po,ition would
impair my usefulness to nv people
My duty TO my district makes 1t in
cumbent to remain at my post il
Washington during the present SEES
sion of Congress. There are many
matters pending which invole thu
interest and wishes of many constitu
ents whom l am here TO serve, anC
many public measures demand tn
attention and labor of every membc
of Congress for potent action an,
wise settlement in the best interes
and welfare of the whole country.
know that there are many as able
faithful and trusty citizens as myself
in the District to'discharge the du
tiesof the position which hold, and
l have no doubt You will be wei
represented in the Congress of tn
United States by any one whom tn
honesty and intelligence of the Sec
ond district may elect. There is still
another reason personal to myself,
entered Congressional life at a storm.
period of our country's history, un
experienced, untried and unprepare,
for the arduous and intricate du
ties which the position imposed an
when new administration had take
charge of the offices of the Govern
ment, entailing the necessity of
change of Patronage, when ther
were hundreds of conflicting aspirs
tons and claims for prefermen
These contests for positions in til
service were among my friends, bt
tween whom | was compelled to d.
eide, when few only could be al
pointed, while | should have bee
proud to favor all. This duty hf
been the most trying and perplexiu
of my public life. In the meantin
have gone through the most terrif
canvasses that ever occurred in I'll
district If you will then add to a
this the many and various services
have tried to render in Washingto
to all my constituents, besides the dr
ties of general legislation, which az
volved upon me on committee and o
the floor of the House of Represents
tives, a fair estimate can be formc
of the labor, both mental and physi
cal through which l passed durin
the last four years, and you can bel
ter understand why am not a car
didaie and seeking reelection, an
why / would yield up my trust, an
return content to the bosom of m
friends aud the privacy of HON
again. Thanking you for the tribut
you have paid to the manner i
which have discharged my olllcis
duty, and the confidence which 20
express in my character as publ
servant and citizen, and with the pro
foundest feelings of gratitude, hav
the honor 10 be your obedient servan
Polk LAFFooN.