The San Francisco call., 1896-02-04
ISSUES A STATEMENT
And Declares That He Will Not
Enter the Race for the
Presidency.
THANKFUL FOR PAST FAv0Rs.
Determined Not to Permit His Name to
Be Presented to the st. Louis
Convention.

INDIANAPOLIS, IND, Feb. 3.-At an
early hour tonight, John X. Gowdy, chair
man of the Republican State Central Com
mittee, called by invitation at the resi-
dence of General Harrison, when the ex-
President handed him the following letter:
Hon. John K. Goucdy, Indianapolis, Ind: In
view of the resolutions passed by the State Gen.
trail Committee at its recent meeting, and of the
fact that delegates to the National 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 l have
declined to speak to the public upon this mat
ter, but scores OF friends to whom have talked
and many scores more to whom have writ
ten. 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 left the White House
that have felt a wish to return to it.. My IN
diana friends have been most devoted and
faithful and L am their grateful debtor. The
Republican party has twice in National con-
vention 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 or small, that has been mani
tested for my nomination, am grateful, and
klQQn6SS-Dredk1NR
party l1nes-whlch have been shown me in so
many ways, am profoundly appreciative.
cannot consent that my name be presented
to or used in the st. Louis convention, and
must kindly ask my friends to accept this as
| sincere and final expression on the subject.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
| Indianapolis, Feb. 3.
The politicians close to General Harri-
son have feared he would fatty refuse the
use of his name If crowded too closely upon
the subject, and they regard the ''resolu-
tions of loyalty" adopted by the State
Committee last week, as the prime cause
of the letter Even in spite of these reso-
lutions they had continued to hope that
he would say nothing and quietly permit
the use of his name. Nobody here ques-
tions the entire sincerity of the letter and
they regard Harrison as definitely out of
the race. In this situation there is little
question that the Indiana delegation will
be largely. if not soiidly. for Mckinley. 1t
is the opinion that Reed alienated what
friends he had in the State by fatty refus-
ing to make any speeches here during the
campaign of 1894. Mckinley has spoken
through the State so often that he is
known to thousands, and there is very
strong sentiment in his behalf, particu-
larly throughout the "gas belt"
When General John C. New was seen
this evening relative to the letter of Gen.
eral Harrison, he said the letter meant
what it said.
ut takes General Harrison entirely out
of consideration as candidate before the
st. Louis convention" he said. General
Harrison is not accustomed to fight behind
disguises and it would be unjust TO General
Harrison to suspect there is offered any op-
portunity for reading between the lines.
The letter says what he has said to me and
others of his friends for a year past. We
had hoped he might be induced to change
his mind, but he had evidently made it
up and his declaration should be regarded
as final"
"Do you think General Harrison will
take any hand in the selection of a candi-
date?n
81 don't think be will turn his hand over
to forward the chances of any man. The
Republicans of the State. SO far as he is
concerned, will be perfectly free to exer-
else their own wishes in the matter, but he
will not try to influence the vote Of any
delegate"
For whom will the vote of the Indiana
delegation probably be cast?"
"I think that in the great manufacture
ing districts of the State the sentiment
will be for Mckinley, In some partssof
Indiana Senator Allison has following
that will probably get him soma delegates.
don't think that Speaker Reed will de-
velop much strength"
"Will General Harrison be quantity in
the Senatorial race to succeed Voorhees?'
81 don't have any ioea that he will. In
this. however, am only speaking for N.Y.
self. General Harrison desires to get
away from official life and public notice.
He wants to become private citizen
again in truth and in fact
Hon. G. w. Fairbanks said: "I regret il
very much. The country would have been
very much better off with Mr.. Harrison
nominated and elected. With Harrison
out of the race, it is impossible at this
time to predict what the delegation at St.
Louis is likely to do.'
Hon. E. H. Nebeker said: ut does not
surprise me. 1t is difficult to tell whom
the Indiana delegation is likely to favor at
St. Louis. 1t is just as likely as not to
scatter"
John K. Gowdy, chairman of the Re-
publican State Committee, said: II am
sorry to learn it. As far as I know the
State will be almost evenly divided be-
tween Allison, Reed and Mckinley. ALI
three have strong friends in different parts
of the State"
CLEYEL4ND NOT FAVORED.