New-York tribune., 1896-02-04
THE ExpREsIDENT GIVES HIS REASONS.

THE EX-PRESIDENT GIVES HIS REASONS.
HE HAS NO DESIRE TO RETURN TO THE WHITE
HOUSE AND THINKS THE REPUBLICAN
VOTERS SHOULD HAVE A NEW NAME
TWO INDoRsEMENTs BY HIS PARTY
ENOUGH A SINCERE AND
FINAL" ANNOUNCEMENT.
TBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNEl
indianapolis. Feb. AT early hour to-
night Captain John x. Gowdy chairman Of the
Republican State Central Committee. called by
invitation at the house of General Harrison.
when the ex-President handed him the following
letter:
"Hon. John X Gowdy indianapolis, Ind.
"In view Of the resolutions passed by the State
Central Committee at its recent meeting and Of
the fact that delegates to the National Repub-
lican Convention soon to be chosen in this
state, / have concluded tina, some statement
from me as to my wishes and purposes should
now be made to my Indiana friends
Hitherto I have declined to speak to the pub
lie upon this matter. but scores of friends to
whom I have talked and many scores more TO
whom have writer will recognize in this ex
preston the substance f what have said to
them. To every one who has proposed to pro-
mote nv nomination have said NO: there
never has been an hour since left the White
House that have felt wish TO return to it,"
"My Indiana friends have been most devoted
and faithful. and am their grateful debtor
The Republican party has twice in National
convention given me Endorsement. apd that Is
enough. l think the voters Of our party are
now entitled to have 4 new name.
"For the sentiment, great or small that has
been manifested for my nomination. am CRATE
ful and Of that wider respect and kindness
breaking party lnes-whch hevc been shown me
in so many ways. am profoundly appreciative
Il cannot consent that my name be presented
or used N the ST Louis convention. and must
kindly ask my friends 10 accep, this as a sincere
ana final expression upon the subject
"BENJAMIN HARRISON.
indianapolis Feb g. 1s9e
Nobody in Indiana will for a moment question
the entire sincerity II Gencra' Harrison's letter
Long experience WIKI him has taught the In
diana politicians that b. usually means just
what he says Furthermore. the letter was on
TREY unexpected Those closest to him had
fearcd tha, too much crowdng' might bring
lust such an expression rom him. but even after
the resolutions OF loyalty passed by the state
Committee last week they continued TO hope
that he might quietly acqulcsce In the use of
his name
Now that It IL released from its allegiance
/ - Harrison the questio.. ~ where the Indiana
/ delegation Will go IL not great problem. II
Jet alone two-thris II not al of H. VIII go To
/ Mckinley Allison is almost unknown In Ind
/ lana and Reed ruined all IN, strength he ever
had here 10y refusing when h. was implored 10
max" couple of speeches In the state during
+ the campaign ~ lS1t The strongest Re"d s"iiu-
ncnt In IA. state was IN IN" Kiln District ana
/ one 4 It's representatives, was sent all the WY
/ ,o Portland T. beg Mr.. Reed 10 speak al PERU
/ hu, hls Invitation was declined. Mckinney on
the other hand has given his services III SVrry cry.
+ campaign. and has dozens oi cluns manner lpl
/ him ir the stat. Tn" district Delegates VIII ne
/ chosen on March - and the four 'ei'F"'"S az
/ large May , -,
/ tiv. fn the letter oi General Harrison, ne sal"
/ IN. letter meant what 1t said. IL tak'r' ''n-
/ cral Harrison" said H.. entIeN GU, % ''i,
] sllerat,n a. 4 candidat" before IN" - I-""' ,
Convention Genera Harrison i not ac,us'"''''''
/ to n,hi behind DISCUSSES. ana II Nou'' "' u'
just /, General Ilarrso - suspect thal ,".I' -
/ offered any opportunity for reading between tN'
| lines The letter -ay~ what h has saId u III,
! and others Of his friends for ear. We n"u ,
! hoped that he might b." induced ~ ',a,'sr M
| mind but h. has evidently mad' up ms I'M, ,li','..
| and his declaration should b. r,gardcd as HH'I
"Do YOU think General Harrison VIII take al!
/ stand IN the selection of "A candidate ..,
! 10 forward the chances of any man. IN" l'e-
! pubNcsna Of the Sta'e - far as ne Is con. %
cerned x bc perfectly free To- 'NerSise 'n,'r ,,l,
| own fishes In the matter lie dhnoup'e'iS
| has his rreterenccs In the matter. but ne VIII
not try to influence the vote ~ any delegate;
For wnom will the vote Of the Indiana eele-
| cation probably be cast -,
! Il think that in the great mhhulact"rl. u,S'
tricts Of the State the sentiment Will be for Me
| Kinley In some parts OF Indiana Senrtor
! Allison has a following that viii probably get
! him some delegates. do not TAX" ~ that
| Speaker Reed will develop much strength
"Will General Harrison he a quantity In the
Senatorial race to succeed voorhees, =, .,,,.
II do not have any idea that ne Will In TINS,
| however am only speaking for myself General
Harrison desires To get away from oiclal llie ana
public notice He wants TO become private ciu-
zen again I'm truth and in fact. He wants once
| more To- be able to come and 20 without being
! stopped at every crossroads and asked wma' ne
| thinks about every subject under the sun sun ,
g. W Fairbanks said: Il regret 1t very niucn
| The country would have been much better or
| with Mr. Harrison nominated ana elected lnd-
| ana would unquestionably have sent united ana
enthusiastic delegation TO st Louis Tor harrisVn'
but with Harrison out of the race II Is impoSslOir
| at this time 10 predict what the delegation Is
| likely 10 do
| Ex-Trea surer Nebeker. of Covngton, SAD IL
does not surprise me rreatly. for have known
General Iiarrls)n's sentiments To be In Inc win
his letter for II long time 1t Is diihcult TO tell
| who the Indiana delegation Is likely 70 taVor AZ
! st. Louis II is Just likely as not to scatter
John X Gowdy. chairman OF the Republican
! state Committee. said: II am sorry about TINS
| letter. 1t will now be race In TINS STATE tnat
will be hotly contested As far as | know. the
! State Will be almost evenly divided between Al
lison. Reed and Nc Kinley. All three nave strong
friends I'm different parts of the state.
NOT A GREAT SURPRISE.