Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-18
GEN. ]. w. BURKE TALKS
 4
  About Alabama Republicans Tak-s ing Him for Their Leader. , , SAYS HE IS NOT ACANDIDATE a = But Is Willing to Do Anything to Serve His Country and Free the State From . Election Thieves.


 Gen. J. ". Burke of Jacksonville, gen eral manager of the Chattanooga South ern railway and well-known capitalist and business man, is in the city on one of his periodical visits.
 Incidentally it might be mentioned that General Burke is lifelong republican, who was reared in the north, but who has spent the last, thirty years in the south a0tlsos F.
 It has been whispered around consider ably of late that he would be a candidate for the republican nomination for gov ernor of Alabama. before the next repub- lican convention. n.-4
 Yesterday quite a number of represent atiyes from different parts of the state were in the city, among the number be- ing Capt. B. M. Long of Cordova, who once received the republican nomination for governor and made the race on that ticket.
 General Burke was seen in consultation with Captain Long during the day and this led observers to believe there was some truth in the rumor that he contem- plated entering the political arena. To ascertain if the general had any such an idea State Herald reporter called on him at the Morris hotel last night and there found him at dinner with MT. l.. B. MuSgrove and United States Court Clerk Nat w. Trimble.
 General, is the report that you are candidate for the republican nomination for governor true?" asked the reporter.
 "No; am not candidate and will not be. I am not a politician, but business man. I have no political aspirations"
 "But, general, you were in conference here today with Captain Long and oth- CTS. Wasn't there some political signifi- canoe attached to the conference?"
 stNn m interested in coal mines with Captain Long and we dis cussed nothing but business matters. I have had no conference here today with anyone but Captain Long, and besidesY him have seen no one but MT. Musgroveic and Mir Trimble. have not discussede politics with them.''
 You would accept the nomination if rendered you, would you not general?" f-
 'I am always willing to serve my coun-- try, and if nominated would then consid- CT it."
 Suppose a number of your political friends and associates should call upon, you to stand for the nomination, would1t you not do SOP" -y,'"e Q
 'I am always willing and anxious to doi anything that will promote the interests of my state. am opposed to the methods Se that obtain in Alabama politics, ando will do all in my power to free the statesl from the rule of ballot box suffers and9 election thieves. Alabama is under a. C1Ouu, W0lCn WILL never De D1teQ unIlla different political methods are observedc Until every man becomes an independent. thinker and acts upon his own responsi-a bility, and until the vote he casts is, honestly counted. To bring about this' state of affairs I will, contribute to the extent of my ability" at "A, .
 ''Is it not fact. general, that you op- pose fusion of the republican and pop ulite parties of the state and that the anti-fusion element of the republicans are endeavoring to bring you out as a candidate?" -4.--ls 1.a.
 "I am republican in every sense of the word Whatever republicanism means, l am that. 1 am for sound money and protection and purity in elections. am for the best interests of my state, and will look. to those interests when act"
 Do you believe the best interests of the state would be subserved by a change from democratic to populte admin iStration?"
 '.I don't know much about the populite party, and but little about its leaders,
 "I can say then, general that if nomi- mated by the republicans you will &C., cept."
 You can say I am seeking no office l am no politician. I have considerable investments in Alabama and am interest- ed in her growth and development"
 As will be noted in the interview, Gen eral Burke evaded direct answers to most of the questions asked and consistently avoided committing himself on anything pertaining to the nomination.
 General Burke has been a resident of Alabama since the close of the war, but has never taken part in politics He is a thorough business man and a polished gentleman. During his residence in the state he has. aceumul ted considerable wealth. which he has reinvested in Ala bama property.