The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1893-12-14

the senator has given to the public, Mr..
Clay explains his position fully and
freely.
SENATOR wooTEN's LETTER.
Hon. A. S. Clay, President of the Sen
ate, Atlanta, Ga.-My Dear Sir: 1t
seems that the gubernatorial campaign is
beginning to take shape in announce
ments of candidates for the democratic
nomination. As friend who has watch
ed with interest the growth of the sug-
gestion of your name as the democratic
nominee, and who wishes to give you his
hearty support, would like to know if
you propose to make the race. If SO,
let your friends know it, in order that
they may lose no time in the important
work of organization. Yours very truly.
w. f. WooTEN.
MR.. CLAY'S REPLY.
Hon. w. Z. Wooten, Atlanta, Ca
Dear Sir: Replying to yours of the 9th
instant, asking whether or not | will be
a candidate for governor, which is based
on your assurance that you "wish to give
me your hearty support" l beg to ex-
press my deep appreciation of your cor
dial words, and to return my sincere
thanks for this generous manifestation
of your friendship. | will not be can
didate for governor, and in making this
my first definite announcement of this
determination, l deem it proper that
should give my reasons to the public,
through you, for reaching this conclu-
sion.
For some time my name has been gen
orally discussed by my friends and by the
press throughout the state in connection
with the high and distinguished office of
governor. | have neither denied or affirm
ed my candidacy, though at no time have
l been a candidate, in the popular accept
ance of the term, for this honorable posi-
ton. l do not deny that | have appre,
ciated most highly the many generous
things that have been said about me. and
it would be insincere in me to say that
my aspirations have been foreign to such
promotion. There are but few men, and
l confess l am not one of them who
could say with candor that infinite pleas
ure and just pride would not attend the
award of such an honor at the hands of
his fellow men.
After having represented the people of
my own county for six years in the lower
house of the general assembly and the
people of my district for two years in the
state senate, have been asked by many
of my friends throughout the state, and
by many whom do not know personal
ly, to allow the use of my name in con-
nection with the governorship. | have
assurances of strong support from every
section of the state, and / have every
reason to believe that, if candidate, my
chances would not suffer, and that.
through the activity and zeal of my
friends, l could make record before
the state convention which would not be
But there are considerations, both per
sonal and party, which induce me to
withhold the use of my name in this con-
nection at this time. I have been in
active public life long enough for me to
stop, at least for short while, and get
my business matters in such shape as
will do justice by myself and my family.
This l can do at once by devoting my
energy to that end. could not do so
with an active political campaign ahead
OF me. As to party considerations, it
goes without saying that the democratic
party is to have another fight in the next
election in this state. The opposition is
organized, and the democratic nomina-
ton, while assuring election, does not
mean, as it did few years ago, walk
over. In order that the party may pre-
sent solid and united front, there
should be as little division and dissension
in party ranks as possible. Personal en-
tanglem2nts and individual differences
may prove to be unfortunate, resulting
in the embarrassment of friends, and in
creating antagonisms that might en-
danger the success of the party. l can
not afford to be a factor in bringing
about any such results for personal graft
fication.
After careful consideration, have full
ly made up my mind not to become a
candidate. 1t is my intention when my
term as senator expires to return to pri-
vate life, and take this method of SO