Birmingham state herald., 1896-04-07
WON'T ENTER THE CONTEST
'or tb "7mination for the Presidency at St.
 Louis.
fASoNS HE GIVES FOR HIS DECISION
Yuld Be Contented With an Indorse- ment of His Policy by His Friends in Kentucky-Feels Profound
 Interest in the Party.

Washington, April 5.-Secretary Car lisle this evening gave out the following letter to Chairman Long of the demo- cratic state committee of Kentucky, de- clining to enter the contest for the dem ocratic nomination for the presidency:
 Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, Washington, D. C., April 4, 1S96.-Charles R. Long. Chairman Dem ocratic State Central Committee, Louis- vile, Ky.-My Dear Sir: Your favor of March 30, in which you say in substance that many of my friends In Kentucky and elsewhere desire me to become 8 cam didate before the approaching national democratic convention for nomination to the office of president, and requesting me to give some authoritative or definite exprss-,on' upon the subject, was duly received and has been maturely consid- cred.
 Many communications upon the same subject and of similar Import have been received from my friends in different parts of the country, and while very grateful for these numerous expressions of confidence and esteem upon the part of my democratic fellow citizens, have not been able to reach the conclusion that the existing conditions require me to comply with their request by authorizing them to announce me as a, candidate for the presidential nomination.
 While feel a profound interest in the welfare of my party, 1 am much more concerned about it's declaration of princi- ples than in its selection of candidates, because, In my opinion, It's failure or suo- cess at the election. as well as its capac- ity for useful service to the country in the future danandg ha : takes or omits to take upon the public questions now engaging the attention of the people, and especially the questions anectlng the monetary system of the country and the character and amount of taxation to be imposed upon our citi- zens It's position upon this and other subjects having been agreed upon and clearly and distinctly announced, the convention ought to have no difficulty in selecting an acceptable candidate who will fairly represent It's views; and in or- der that its deliberations may be em- barrassed as little as possible by the con tentions of rival aspirants and their friends, think my duty to the party will be best performed by declining to partic- ipate in contest for the nomination.
 The obligations assumed when I ac- cepted my present official position require me to devote my entire time and atten- tion to the public interests committed to my charge, and I shall continue to dis charge the duties imposed upon me to the best of my ability and in such a man. ner as will in my judgment most certain ly promote the trueinterests of the coun- try and if in the opinion of my fellow democrats In Kentucky my service en- titled me to their commendation and ap- prova1, I would regard their indorsement of my public course as an ample reward for the little have been able to accom- plish in behalf of honest administra ton n nd GR1n tnI tNaIf thanks for your kind letter,eI am very truly yours, J. e. CARLISLE." sz