The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-09-19
GEN. BLACK DECLINES.

Evidently In Sympathy with Those Who
Nominated Him. but Apprehensive Of
the Result, After Nine Days Consider
alton Withdraws-Mr. Forman offered
the SominatiOt and Promptly Accepts
\ Lively Canvass Predicted;
CHICAGO, Sept. 1O.-Gen. John C.
Black. who is United States district
attorney in Chicago, sen his expected
letter yesterday morning to the Hi
nois committee of the national demo-
cratic party, declining the nomination
of governor, which was given him Au-
gust %.
The letter was read to the state CEN
trail committee at Il meeting in the
Palmer house and, after Il recess, the
committee unanimously selected eX-
Congressman william ;. Iorman, Of
East st. Louis, to make the race for
governor. Mr.. Eormau was present,
being a member Of the committee, aad
his acceptance was known in advance.
Mr.. Fcrman having already been
placed on the state ticket for the Of
lice OF attorney general, Daniel W.
Samucls, of Chicago, was nominated to
fill the vacancy caused by Mr.. For
mans elevation. This preserves the
geographical balance of the ticket.
The committeeman said Mr.. FOrman
would poll more votes than Gen. Black
could, and they would all be from dem
ocrats, thus ~lessening Gov. Altgeld's
chances of election.
On account of the recent exchange
Of opinion in letters bitterly attack
ing each other, the campaign between
Altgeld and Forman is expected to be
extremely lively.
In his letter Gen. Black intimates
that he was nominated while absent
from the state and without infOrma-
ton as to the situation. He saws:
CHICAGO, sept 9. 1896
Charles 4. Firing, Chairman STAT Central
Committee, National Democratic Purity, cas-.
cdyO, ~:
DEAR lR-On the 18th OF August the con-
vcHtion Of the honest money democrats, OF
whose State central committee YOU are chair-
man, nominated Inc Ter the Office Of sOycruoI
u. the state Of Illinois.
vt The time OF this nomination l was absent
from the state, ana had been Tor nearly three
weeks. During that time l mad received not
one we'd from the state OF Illinois, relating il
any way 10 political affairs, until the FIST,
when l received a telegram from you. and tel
tgr:imS from other gentlemen, advising NE Of
III" probable action Of the convention. Win
absolute absence Of information as to the sit
udtloa, ! wired You Suggesting obstacles IN the
way .. my candidacy. wHIch. II not obTiatci,
would be conclusive upon me; but / was IL
cliucd 10 abide the Judgment Of Your cOaycn-
Elm .~~L. hi -HHT ---.. -- Il
~.yct.uus.
On the 26th, upon my arrival ut Detroit.
learned by u Chicago paper that l had hcer
nominated. Reaching Chicago on the morning
of lie 18th, ! have, since that time and until
Saturday, the 5th cI September. faithfully
sought tor as TO the situation. and
that l might know what MY duty in the prem
iscs was. l hope this IHtrrva. of nine days. SC
occupied by me, has not been as unreasonable
Time IN view OF all the circumstances.
On the 18th advised the secretary OF your
committee, Mr.. Il. Z. SpaEglcr, that | could
not accept tht nomination, and asked him &c
secure an interview with YOU on the 9Th, that ]
might formally 50 state 10 you.
In the interval spoken OF 1 used every means
at my ummand to ascertain what the sItua
ton in this state was, and what would he my
duty. 1 am convinced by my investigation
that in this state the selection for governor
lies between MesSrs. Tanner and Altgcld.
/ recognize the disintercsted character and
LOFTY aims Of your organization; that it seeks /
to establish tle democracy upon its ancient
and amidst i> ancient principles,
a. a refuge for it, crrIIg brethren in the iu-
Iure and as a safeguard OF free govern
ment. | recognize the u~nSeliSh devotion
of the men present in your convention
to principle and 10 democracy-bu5 /
am further convinced, beyond Il reasonable
doubt, that the only eftecs in the election Of
my candidacy would be to diminish the
chances OF one or The other Of these gentlemen
for election. Men differ in their opinions as
To whose chances would be most seriously i'm
paired: but. in any event. the whole effect o;
candidacy, 50 far as the election Is con-
cerHet, would be what l nave stated above;
10 diminish the chances Of one or the
OIhe: Of the candidates.
80 believing, / feel constrained, highly as
prize the good opinion OF the gentlemen who
placed me in Nomination, to decline to be q
With great respect, l am. very truly, YOU
fellow citizen, JOHN {. BLACK.
The state committee elected an exec
utive committee of -, of which Charles
ii. Williamson, of Quincy, is chairman,
and a fighting campaign will be opened
at once.