Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-02-11
OUT OF THE RACE.
Ex-President Harrison Issues {
Formal and Emphatic Letter.
Thinks the Party Should Choose a
New Leader-Is Grateful for
Past Honors.

Past Honors.
indianapolis, Ind, Feb. AT an
carly hour Monday night, Capt. John
K. Gowdy, chairman OF the republican
state central committee, called by in
vitntion at the residence of Gen. Har-
rison, when the ex-president handed
him the following letter:
Hon. JOHN K. GowDY: In view of the
resolutions passed by the state central
committee at its recent meeting, and of tho
fact that delegates to the national relsub-
lican convention are soon to be chosen in
this state, I have concluded that some
statement from mo as to my wishes and
purposes should now be made to my In
diana friends. Hitherto have declined to
speak to the public upon this matter. but
scores of friends to whom have talked
and many scores more to whom l have
written will recognize in this expression
the substance of what have said to them.
To everyone who has proposed to promote
my nomination / have said No. There
never has been an hour since left the
white house that l have felt wish to re-
turn to It, My Indiana friends have been
most devoted and faithful and l am their
grateful debtor. The republican party has
twice in national convention given me its
Endorsement and that is enough. think
the voters Of our party are now entitled TO
have new name. For the sentiment,
great and small, that has been manifested
for my nomination, am grateful and of
that wider respect and Misunderstanding
party lines-which have been shown me in
80 many ways, am profoundly apprecia-
tive.
81 cannot consent that my name be pro-
scented to or used in the st. Louis conven.
ton. and must kindly ask my friends to ac-
ant ao al n a q ion
=. ,BEN5AM1N HARRISON.
Indianapolis, Ind. Feb. g."
Indiana's Probable Position.
The politicians close to Mr.. Harrison
have feared that he would fatty refuse
the use of his name if crowded too
closely upon the subject, and they re-
gard the resolutions of loyalty"
adopted by the state committee last
week as the prime cause OF the letter.
had continued to hope that he would
continue to say nothing and quietly
permit the use of his name. Nobody
here questions the entire sincerity of
the letter, and they regard Gen. Harri-
son as definitely out of the race.
The withdrawal let's down the bars to
all the other candidates. Indiana will
now be fighting ground. The friends
of each of the candidates are already
well organized, and work will begin at
once. There is reason to believe that
Gen. Harrison favors Allison, but he
will not attempt to influence the party
of his state in its work of making and
instructing delegation. McKinley's
forces are already well organized in the
natural gas district, where high tariff
is deemed indispensable to prosperity.
The delegation in congress will, it is
believed, throw its influence to Reed.
Congressman Steele, who was made a
member of the ways and means commit
tee, has been endeavoring for several
months to do something for Reed, but
was handicapped by Harrison. The dis
trict conventions will be held March Z,
and between now and that date there
will be hustling in all the districts. The
friends of Mckinley will insist that the
state should instruct for him, and lead
ing republicans believe it is probable
that this may be done. There is no dis.
position to regard the announcement of
the ex-president as otherwise than final,
John @. New Interviewed.
When Gen. John c. New was seen
relative to the letterof Gen. Harrison. he
said the letter meant what it said. He
continued:
ut takes Gen. Harrison entirely out of
| consideration as candidate before the st
Louis convention. Gen. Harrison is NOT
accustomed to fight behind disguises and
| 1t would be unjust to him to suspect there
Is offered any opportunity for reading be-
| tween the lines. The latter 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 declar-
alton should be regarded as final"
For whom will the vote of the Indiana
delegation probably be cast?"
II think that In the great manufacturing
districts of the state the sentiment will be
for Mckinley. In some parts of Indiana
Senator Allison has following that will
| probably get him some delegates do not
take 1t that Speaker Reed will develop
much strength
win Gen. Harrison be quantity In the
| senatorial race to succeed Voorhees,"
| Il do not have any idea that he will In
this, however, am only speaking for my
self. Gen. Harrison desires to get away
from official life and public notice. He
wants to become private citizen again in
truth and in fact. He wantssonce more to
be able to come and go without beins
stopped at every cross roads and asked
| about what he thinks about every subject
| under the SUM-"