The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-06-13
FARMER EDMUNDs DECLINES.

Ill Health Compels Him to Retire From
the Field as n Candidate for Renomina
tion.
Something Of surprise was sprung
in political circles yesterday by tho an
nouncement in the Richmond papers
from their Washington correspondents
that Hon. Paul Edmunds, representa-
tive from the Sixth district to the House
OF Representatives had declined to enter
upon canvass for o denomination and
election this fall.
Mr.. Edmunds for the past six months,
says the Richmond Times correspond
ent has complained OF i'll health, al
though he has remained at his post with
marked regularity and has day after
day visited the departments and busted
himself generally in the interests OF his
constituents. He has been constant
House and enjoys the friendship and
esteem Of the representative Southern
Democrats in Congress.
He has been devoted to tho interests
OF the agricultural classes, and as the
chairman OF the committee on OK pendi-
lures in the Agricultural Department.
he haa advocated a liberal policy that
has eliminated in tho great advance
mont of that depar tment and OF Id material
benefit to the farmers of the country.
In speaking personally of the reasons
that impelled him to decline renomi-
nation, Mr.. Edmunds said: INV deyo.
ton 10 my constituents, rather than any
personal egotism, prompts mo to believe
that my people would have again hon
Grad me by their selection for Congress,
but as some opposition appears to have
arisen within my own party, and rs am
In duty bound to remain here until Con.
gress adjourns, possibly in August, and
then engage in campaign of many
months, have determined not to infiic.
this additional burden upon my physi-
cal system"
The following is copy of letter adj
dressed to the Sixth district voters by
MIR. Edmunds
ITO the People OF the Sixth Congress
sional District OF Virginia.:
81 am compelled, on account of III
health, to decline to enter upon a can.
vass for denomination and election to
Congress from the Sixth district OF Vir-
GINA this fall.
81 am deeply panied to make this an.
nouncement, but my health is such that
| am unable to perform the labor incl
dent to the canvass.
at is due to my friends in every sec
ton OF the district and to the able
gentlemen who are candidates for this
high honor, that l should notify the
people OF the district of my determine
ton not to be a candidate.
"1n retiring to private life deeply
regret to part with nv colleagues, with
whom l have served for six years, and
whose friendship l shall gratefully re-
member through life.
ITO my constituents who have hon
ored mo for six years, with increased
najorities at each election, return my
hearty thanks, and also to those who
have so kindly written me from every
section OF the district asking me to
again be candidate.
81 have no claim to distinguished SER
vices rendered my constituents, but |
40 claim that have earnestly and faith
fully discharged my duties as a Nom
Der of Congress with what ability /
have.
Tho record 1 have mado | submit to
constituency as generous and noble as
any man ever had.
II retire to private life with nv peo-
pie OF the county of Halifax, whom I
have served for fourteen years in the
State and national councils-a people
with whom | hsve lived for nearly
thlrty-seven years-with a heart filled
with gratitude and love.
Very truly. etc,
paul G. EDMUNDs."
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