The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-02-04
HE POSITIVELY DECLINES
E EX-PRESIDENT HARRISON IS NOT 4
 CANDIDATE FOR NOMINATION.

| 1d Ns He Says That He Will Not Consent to Have His Name Used and Asks His Friends tn Accept His Expression as a Sincere and Final One on the Subject.
 Indianapolis Ind, Feb. S.-This even- ing Captain John K. Gowdy, chairman or the' republican central committee, called by invitation at the residence of General Harrison, when the ex-presi dent handed him the following letter.
 lion. John K. Gowdy, Indianapolis. lnd-ln view of the resolutions passed by the state central committee at it's recent meeting, and of the fact that del- egates to the national republican con- Vention are soon to be chosen in this state, l 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 I have talked and many scores more to whom I have written, will recognize in this express sion the substance of what have said to them. To everyone who has pro- posed to promote my nomination have said no, there never has been an hour since I left the white house that have felt 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 national convention given me endorsement 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 manifested for my nomi- nation I ann grateful and of that wider respect and misunderstanding party lines-which have been shown me in SO many ways. I am profoundly appreci- ative.
 Il cannot consent that my name be presented or used in the St. Louis con- vention, and must kindly ask my many friends to accept this as a sincere and final expression upon this subject.
 Signed,
 l BENJAMIN HARRISON"
 Indianapolis, Feb. 3, 1896.
 The politicians close to ex-President Harrison have feared that he would fiatly refuse the use of his name if crowded too closely. and they regard the resolutions of loyalty" adopted by the state committee as a prime cause of the latter In spite of these resolutions they had hoped he would continue to | say nothing and quietly permit the use of his name. Nobody questions the en- tire sincerity of the letter, and they re- gard General Harrison as definitely out of the race.
 l +l,1 e,s+ sex tion that the Indiana delegates will be largely, if not solidly,. for Mckinley.
 When General John c. New was seen this evening relative to the letter of General Harrison, he said the letter meant what it said. s't takes General Hrrison," he said, entirely out of con- sideration as candidate before the St. Louis convention. General Harrison is not accustomed to fight behind disguis- es, and it would be unjust to suspect there is offered any opportunity for reading between the lines. The letter says what he has said to me and others of his friends for a year. We had hoped that he might be induced to change his mind, but he has evidently made up his mind and his declaration should be regarded as final"
 DO you think the general will take any hand in the selection of a candi- date?"
 q 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 per- fectly free to exercise their own wishes in the matter. He undoubtedly has his preferences in the matter, but he will not try to influence the vote of any del- egate."
 sFor whom will the vote of the In- diana delegation probably be cast?'
 "I think that in the great manufac- turing districts the sentiment will b6 for Mckinley. In some parts of Indi- ana Senator Allison has a following that will probably get him delegates, I do not thing Reed will develop much strength"
 twill Harrison be g. quantity in tha senatorial race to succeed Voorhees?''
 ''I do not have any idea that he wills In this, however, I ann only speaking for myself. General Harrison desires to get away from official life He wants to be a private citizen in truth, and in fact He wants once more to be able to come and go without being stopped at every cross-road and asked about what he thinks of every subject under the sum-"
 Washington, Feb. 3.-All the republi- cans of the Ohio delegation in congress- with the exception of Senator Sherman, and four of the representatives met to- night and discussed the prospects of Major Mckinley for the presidential nomination at St. Louis. The strength of Mckinley throughout the country in comparison with that of the other can- didates for the nomination was dis cussed, and the time being consumed in the exchange of views. The delegation decided to hold weekly meetings and l. adjourned until next Monday.
 Is Total Loss.