The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-04
HARRISON SHOWS HIS HAND.
HE DECLINES TO DE A CANDIDATE
FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

He Says He Cannot Consent That Ills
Name BE Presented TO or Used In
the Republican National COnven-
tiOn-IIe Thinks the Voters of His
Party Are Entitled To Have a New
Name at Their Masthead.
Indianapolis. Ind. Feb. Sat an early
hour tonight Capt. John X Gowdy. chair
man Of the republican state central COM
mittee. called by invitation. at the resi-
dence of Gen. Harrison, when the ex-Pres-
ident handed him the following letter:
Hon. John X. Gowdy. Indianapolis: "1n
view of the resolutions passed by the state
central committee at its recent meeting
and of the fact that delegates to the ma
ional republican convention are soon to
be chosen in this state, / have concluded
that some statement from me as to my
wishes and purposes should now be made
to my Indiana friends.
Hitherto 1 have declined to speak to
the public upon this matter, but scores
of friends to whom / have talked. and
many scores more to whom have written,
will recognize in this expression the sub
stance of what 1 have said to them. To
every one who has proposed to promote
my nomination l have said No; there
never has been an hour since l left the
white house that l have felt a wish to
return to it,
my Indiana friends have been most de-
voted and faithful. and / am their CRATE
full debtor. The republican party has twice
in national convention given me indorse-
ment, and that is enough. / think the
voters of our party are now entitled to
have a new name.
For the sentiment, great or small. that
has been manifested for my denomination,
/ am grateful, and OF that wider respect
and Misunderstanding party lines-Which
have been shown me in SO many ways, l
am profoundly appreciative.
81 cannot consent that my name be pre-
scented to or used i'm the St. Louis conven-
ton, and must kindly ask my friends to
accept this as a sincere and final express
ion upon the subject.
indianapolis, Feb. 3. 1856"
The politicians close to eX-President
Harrison have feared that he would flatly
refuse the use of his name II crowded too
closely upon the subject, and they regard
the resolutions of loyalty" adopted by
the state convention last week as the
prime cause of the letter. Even In spite
of these resolutions they had hoped that
he would continue to say nothing and
quietly permit the use of his name. No
body here questions the entire sincerity
of the letter. and they regard Mr.. Harri-
son as definitely out of the race.
In this situation there is little question
that the Indiana delegation will be large
ly, If not sOlidly, for Mckinley.
When Gen. John G. New was seen this
evening relative to the letter of Gen. Har-
rison, he said the letter means what it
said. 1T takes Gen. Harrison" said he
entirely out Of consideration as a candi-
date before the st. Louis convention. Gen.
Harrison Is not accustomed to fight be-
hind disguises, and it would be unjust to
him to suspect there is offered any oppor-
tunity for reading between the lines. The
letter says what he has said to me and
others of his friends for year. We had
hoped that he might be induced to change
his mind, but he has evidently made up
his mind, and his declaration should be re-
garded as final"
do you think Gen. Harrison will take
any hand in the selection OF a candidate?"
II do not think he will turn his hand
over TO forward the chances OF any man.
The republicans of the state, as far as he
is concerned, will be perfectly free to ex-
ercise their own wishes in the matter.
He undoubtedly has his preferences in
the matter, but he win not try to influence
the vote of any delegate"
For whom will the vote of the Indiana
delegation probably be cast?"
Il think that in the great manufacture
Ing districts Of the state the sentiment
viii be for Mckinley. In some parts of
Indiana Senator Allison has a following
gates. / do not take 1t that Speaker Reed
will develop much strength"
"Will Gen. Harrison be a quantity In
the senatorial race to succeed Senator
Il do not have any idea that he will.
In this, however, i am only speaking for
myself: Gen. Harrison desires to get
away from official life and public notice.
He wants to become a private citizen
again in truth and in fact. He wants
once more to be able to come and go
without being stopped at every cross
road and asked what he thinks about
every subject under the sun"