The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-09-10

Cnlcago, III, sept. 9.-Ihe Following
letter was issued to-day:
Chicago, ILL.,, Sept. 9, 1896.
To Mr. Chas. A. Ewing, Chairman,
etc, Chicago, III. ..
Dear Sir: On the 25th of August the
convention of honest money Demo-
Gratis, of whose State Central commit
tee you are chairman, nominated me
for the office of Governor of the State
of Illinois.
AT the time of this nomination / was
absent from the State and had been
for nearly three weeks. During that
time / received no word from the State
of Illinois relating in any way to politi-
cal affairs until the 21st, when l receiY-
ed telegram from you and kilograms
from, other gentlemen advising nae of
the probable action of the convention.
With absolute absence of information
as to the situation | wired you, sug-
gesting obstacles in the way OF my
candidacy, which, if not ohviated,
would be conclusive upon me, but L
was inclined to abide the Judgment Of
your convention after their full con-
sideration of those objections.
On the 26Uh, upon my arrival at De-
troit, / learned by a Chicago paper
that had been nominated. Reaching
Chicago on the morning of the 27th,
l have since that time and until Sat-
urday the 5th of September, faithfully
sought for information as to the situa-
ton that / might know what my duty
in the premises was.
l hope this interval of nine days so
occupied by me has not been an un-
seasonable time, in view of all the cir
cumstances.
On the 5th advised the secretary of
your committee, Mr.. r. Z. SpangIer
that could not accept the nomination
and asked him to secure an interview
with you on the 7th that might for
mally so state to you.
In the interview spoken of, l used
every means at my command to ascer-
tain what the situation in your State
was and what would be my duty.
am convinced by my investigation that
in this State the election for Governor.
lies between Messrs. Tanner and Alt
geld.
l recognize the disinterested care
and lofty aims of your organization.
that it seeks to establish the Democra.
cy upon its ancient foundations and
make its ancient principles a refuge
for its erring brethren in the future
and safeguard Of free government.
L recognize the unselfish devotion of
the men present in your convention
to principle and Democracy. but am
further convinced, beyond a reasona-
bic doubt, that the only effect in the
election of my candidacy would be TO
diminish the chances of one or the 9TH
er of these gentlemen for election. Men
differ in their opinions as to whose
chances would be most seriously inn
paired, but, in any event the whole
effect Of my candidacy, so far as the
election is concerned, would be what
| have stated above, namely, to dimin-
lsh the chances of one or the other
of the candidates
So believing, / feel constrained.
highly as l prize the good opinion of
the gentlemen who placed me in NOM
ination, to decline to be a candidate.
With great respect, I am, very truly
your fellow-citizen,
JOHN C. BLACK.
The Democratic State Central COM
mite has filled the vacancy caused by
General Blacks declination, by putting
". 5. FOrman, of ST. Clair county. AT
the head of the ticket in his place.
The vacancy caused by the shifting
of Mr. Forman from the foot to the
head of the ticket, was filled by the
nomination of ID. V. Samuels, of Chi
cagO, for the office of Attorney GEN
eral.
Mr.. Forman made much reputation
for himself recently by the authorship
of two letters to Governor Altmeld IN
which he called attention to the man
agement of the State Treasury during
The incumbency of Rufus Ramsey.
Mr.. FOrmajl is native OF Kentucky.
IS q lawyer of East st. Louis, and has
represented the old Eighteenth dis
trict two terms in Congress.
daniel Y. Samuels is Chicago law
yer. He has been prominent in Demo