Democratic messenger., 1895-08-17

independent action of the legislative
department oithc government; but pub
licly declaring now my deliberate belief
that the passage Of law tor n general
and thorough assessment of the entire
taxable property of all the people OF
the state should not any longer be
postponed, wish to be understood as
distinctly announcing that, should be
elected Governor, shall promptly
\ sign such y bill, and also actively inter.
est myself as far as may be proper in
securing its passage by the Legislature.
In order that the party pledge upon
this important matter NAV he fully
kept, il Is most desirable that great
care should he exercised in selecting
capable and efficient members Of the
Legislature gentlemen who will not
only consider themselves bound by the
platform, but thoroughly competent to
deal with subject 50 vital to the peo-
pie.
The agricultural interests Of the state
appear To me TO he especially worthy
OF attention and encouragement, and |
shall feel it To be both a privilege and
a duty To aid in all proper ways to
attract within our borders thrifty and
intelligent immigrants.
There is one other topic to which |
wish to refer, and here also, in view of
certain comments that have appeared
in the press since my nomination, |
desire 10 speak with distinctness and
emphasis that cannot be misunderstood.
consented reluctantly that my
name might be used for the nomina.
tion for Governor upon the assurance
from number of independent and
most respectable sources, including
many of NV closest commercial friends,
that my selection would tend to restore
II much desired harmony in the ranks
of the Democratic party.
Beyond giving this consent | did not
90 one step; and, when the nomination
was made, it came absolutely free from
any pledge, promise or understanding,
expressed or implied, ON my part as
ever nomination came to any mau.
did not seek il in any manner
whatsoever, nor can | consent TO have
myself spoken OF or considered as the
candidate OF any man or set of men, or
as the representative of any clique,
wing. faction or division of the party.
Those who know me need no assur-
ance that nothing on earth could in
duce me TO barter away, surrender or
ahridge to any extent whatsoever my
absolute independence, and | trust that
the character which | enjoy in this
community will he sufficient TO satisfy
those who do not know me that should
the nomination of my party be ratified
at the polls i'll November, shall enter
upon the discharge Of the duties of
Governor under no committals or OBJ
legations TO any individuals whatever,
and wholly free 10 do what my con-
science and my judgment shall dictate
as best for the public interest.
If | had imagined that any of the
gentlemen who urged me TO allow my
name to he presented as candidate.
or any of the friends who actively in
teresied themselves 10 bring about my
nomination, supposed that | was there,
by laying myself under political obli-
cations by which the exercise of my
independent judgement, in the event OF
my election, would, in the slightest de-
gree he affected, or that ! was thereby
subjeciing myself TO unworthy dicta-
ton, should unhesitatingly have de-
clined the Use of my name and reject
ed the proposal as both disparaging
and offensive
With this unreserved statement of
my position, | submit with cheerful
confidence my case and that of the
party whose representatives have chos-
en- me as its candidate for Governor to
the just and intelligent decision Of the
people, respectfully claiming the full
cordial support of the party, and faith
fully pledging to my fellow citizens, in
the event Of my election, the constant
exercise Of my best energies and abili.
ties to vigilant, laborious, independ-
ent and upright discharge of every
public duty ,IoHS +. HURST.