St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-22
DAVIDSON'S UL1IMATuk.
ne REPLIES TO THE HARRIS RICH
ARDS0N COMMITTEE.
THE BaEvET sArASs MOURN

THE BREvET sATANs MOURN
To Find That Their Swea,.Box
Proceedings Did Not Count
He Contrasts Smith and Dc.
rams Positions With His Own
If the Republican Party Is De.
feated the Responsibility Rests
on Doran and His Friends.
ST. PAUL. Minn., April 81, 1891.
Hon. W. Il. Lightner and George r.
Thompson ct al.-Gentlemen: In ref
erence to the matters discussed by the
COMMITTEES of citizens, who conferred
with me yesterday in the interest of
harmony. would say. that after giving
It the most careful consideration, weigh
Ing it from every possible standpoint.
and advising with friends, some OF
whom are not in politics at all. some of
whom are Republicans and some Demo-
Gratis, have decided that there is no
honorable course for me and no right
course, except to stand As candidate for
mayor until the close of the polls May /.
distinctly pledged myself to do this to
each committee who called upon me in
reference to the nomination. 1 did not
at that time even have a good reason to
expect that would either be nominated
or Endorsed by any party except the
convention which named me.
have looked the situation over, and
no other candidate has pledged himself
TO the enforcement of law, which have
made one of the distinct issues of the
present campaign. | have declared in
unequivOcal terms in favor of business
administration, and the administratio n
OF public business affairs on the same
principle that governs ordinarily pru-
dent business houses. The candidate
OF the Democratic party, by his past ad-
mlnIstratlon, has shown distinctly
where he stands, and that he is 'swide-
open policy" man. The candidate at
the head of the Republican ticket is re-
ported to have put himself in such an
attitude III reference to the enforce
ment OF Don-enforcement of law that
could not support or vote for him, hold
ing the views do in reference to the
duties of an executive. Many of
the other voters with whom
have conversed, who, like
myself. are earnest Republicans
and wish the best interest OF the party
are unwilling to trust the government
OF the city to man whose expressed
views in reference to the enforcement
1t wholly uncertain as to what position
he occupies or intends to occupy on this
Important question. | undarstoo d him
to state. in an interview l had with him,
that he had been misrepresented by the
reporters. | then asked him to state his
position clearly and distinctly to me in
writing. II he cannot formulate his
views. and they are not distinct and
Settled. he is wholly unfit to be elected
as mayor. II he does not express hi M
self for the reason that he is afraid to
60 on record before the voters of the
city. he is equally unfit. He declined to
state his views.
l feel, therefore, that there is no can
didate in the field opposing the election
OF Robert A. Smith upon any ground of
principle. except those represented by
the party nominations which | now
hold. L shall do my utmost to defeat
Robert A. Smith and those who have
heretofore been his followers. If these
good plans and intentions are defeated
10y the candidacy of F. Z. Doran, who
either has no views or declines to ex-
press them, then the responsibility must
rest upon him and those who voluntarily
choose to throw away their vote on
candidate who declines to let the voters
know in advance what his position will
belon moral questions.
AS stated to you in a verbal inter-
view, am not ambitious to be the
mayor of the city, except that can be
1alrly elected upon the platform hon.
estly expressed in view of the enforce
ment OF The law; a thorough retrench-
ment of every department of the city
government; the cutting down of sal
aries and such system of economy as
ought to be exercised in the present
financial situation. ! am sorry that MIR.
Doran has placed himself in such po-
sltion before the voters of the city.
1t is understood by all the parties for
whom stand thus far in the ca mpaign
that national political issues are to be
Ignored. and that we are to fight it out
on municipal reform. If you believe in
this l think you will reach the same
conclusion | have arrived at, namely,
that could not retire from the field
OF the trust Imposed in me by those
whom l represent in this campaign.
While am willing 10 listen To argu-
mentS and give courteous attention to
suggestions of friends, hope you will
unders tand that this decision is final,
and that will be candidate until the
close of the polls on May l. l will do
what Is right and honest. In view of the
present situation. and let the future
take care of itself.
Please express my thanks to the very
earnest committee of citizens, who SO
ably presented the reasons why ought
to retire from the field. If am defeat
ed by nomination after [ was in the
field and when my principles had been
widely published. SD that they were
known to those who nominated f. b.
Doran. | shall feel and l believe the
party will feel that the responsibility
will rest upon Mr. Doran and his party
rather than me and those with whom /
am acting. Yours very respectfully,
JAMES II. DAVIDSON.