The record-union., 1896-02-04


yitation at the residence Of General
Harrison, when the ex-President hand
ed him the following letter:
Hon. John w Gowdy: In view of
the resolutions passed by the State
Central Committee at its recent meet
ing, 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 I have declined to
speak to the public upon this matter,
but scores Of friends to whom 7 have
talked, and many scores more to whom
have written, viii recognize in this
expression the substance of what have
said to them. To everyone who has pro-
posed to promote my nomination 1 have
said. No
There never has been an hour since
I left the White House that I have felt
a wish to return to it. My Indiana
friends have been most devoted and
faithful, and I am their grateful debtor
The Republican party has twice in Ma
tional Convention given me its indorse-
7nent, and that is enough. I think the
voters Of our party are now entitled to
have a new name For the sentiment,
great or small, that has been manifest
ed for my nomination, I am grateful,
and of that wider respect and kindness
breaking party lines-which have
been shown me in so many ways, I am
profoundly appreciative.
7 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 upon the subject.
''BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Indianapolis, February 3D."
The politicians close to General Har-
tTison have feared he would fatty refuse
the use of his name if crowded too
closely upon the subject, and they re-
gard the resolutions of loyalty" adopt
ed by the State Committee, as the prime
cause of the letter. Even in spite of
these resolutions, they had continued
to hope that he would continue to say
nothing and quietly permit the use of
his name.
Nobody here questions the entire sin
cerfty of the letter, and they regard
Harrison as definitely out Of the race.
In this situation there is little question
that the Indiana delegation viii be
largely if not soIidly for Mckinley. Al
lison is comparatively unknown to the
masses Of the people, and it is the opin-
ion that Reed alienated what friends he
had in the State by fatty refusing to
making any speeches during the cam
paign of 1891 Mckinley has spoken
through the State so often that he is
known to thousands and there is very
strong sentiment in his behalf, partic-
ularly throughout the "gas belt
I'll,
This evening relative to the letter of
General Harrison, he said the letter
meant what it said "It takes General
Harrison entirely out of consideration
as a candidate before the st. Louis
convention" he said. General Har-
Tison is not accustomed to fight behind
disguises, and it would be unjust to him
to suspect there is offered any oppor-
4unity for reading between the lines.
The letter says what he has said to me
and others Of his friends for year
past We had hoped he might be in
duced to change his mind, but he had
evidently made it up, and his declara-
tion should be regarded as final"
do you think General Harrison viii
take any hand in the selection of a
candidate?"
i don't think he 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 exercise their own wishes in the
matter He undoubtedly has his pre-
ferences in the matter, but he will not
try to influence the vote of any dele
gate"
For whom will the vote of the Indi-
ana delegation probably be east?"
featuring districts of the State the
& sentiment will be for Mckinley. In
some parts of Indiana Senator Allison
has a following that win probably get
& him some delegates. I don't think
that Speaker Reed will develop much
tstrength'
1 'WilI General Harrison be quantity
in the Senatorial race to succeed Voor-
hees?,'
"I don't have any idea that he will.
s In this. however, I am only speaking
for myself. General Harrison desires
20 get away from official life and public
notice. He wants TO become private
citizen again in truth and in fact"
MKINLEY's FRIENDS.
WASHINGTON, February 3.-All
the Republican members of the Ohio
QettSdltOh III congress- With the SAScp-
tion of Senator Sherman and Repre-
sentatives Watson, Fenton, Dewitt and
Beach, met tonight in the apartments
of Representative Grosvenor TO dis
cuss the prospects of Major Mckinley
for the nomination of his party at st.
Louis. 1t was stated after the meet
ing that Senator Sherman was not ex-
pected to be present, and of the other
absentees, one was sick and three were
out Of town.
The object of the meeting was to in
dorse Major McKinley's candidacy, but
this was not done, and probably viii
not be done by the delegation, on the
ground that there is no necessity for
it. after Mckinley has been approved
as a prospective Presidential nominee
by the Ohio Republican State Conven-
tion. The strength Of Mckinley
throughout the country, in comparison
with that Of the other party candidates
for the nomination was discussed. the
entire time of the meeting being con-
sumed in this exchange Of views. 1t
was decided that weekly meetings OF