The herald., 1896-02-04
Regarding a Possible Presiden-
tial Nomination
HE IS NOT A CANDIDATE
He ls Grateful for Respect and Kindness
Shown Him
But VIII Not Consent That His Name
Be Presented or Used at the St.
Louis Convention

Ass ssocisted Press Special Wire.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Feb. 3.-Captain
John x. Gowdy, chairman of the Republic
can state committee, called on General
Harrison this evening by invitation, and
the ex-president handed him the appended
self-explanatory letter:
Hon. John z. Gowdy, Indianapolis, Ind:
In view Of the resolution passed by the
state central committee at it's recent meet
ing, and of the fact that the delegates to
the National Republican convention are
soon to be chosen in this state, have con-
cluded that some statements from me as to
my wishes should now be made to my In
diana frinds. Hitherto have declined to
speak to the public on this matter, but the
scores of friends to whom have talked
and many scores more to whom nave
written, will recognize in this expression
the substance of what have said to them.
To everyone who has proposed to promote
my nomination, have said mo-" There
never has been an hour since [ left the
White House that have felt q wish to re-
turn to it.
Ny Indiana friends have been most de-
voted and faithful and l am their grateful
debtor
The Republican party has twice in ma
tional convention given me its endorse
lment and that Ia enough. l think the vot.
ers Of our party are now entitled to have a
new name. For the sentiment, great or
small, that has been manifested for my
nomination am grateful, and OF that
wider respect and kindness, breaking party
lines, which has been shown me in.so many
ways, am profoundly appreciative.
cannot consent that my name be pre-
and must kindly ask my friends to accept
this as a sincere and final expression upon
the subject.
(Signed) BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Indianapolis, Feb. 3, 1896.
PARTY COMMENT
INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 3.-When Gen. John
c. New was seen this evening relative to
the letter of General Harrison, he said the
letter meant what 1t said.
"It takes General Harrison" said he,
"entirely out of consideration as q candi-
date before the st. Louis convention. Gem
eral Harrison is not accustomed to fight
behind disauises, and 1t would be unjust to
General Harrison 10 suspect that there is
offered an opportunity of reading between
the Iines-the letter says what he has said
to me and others of his friends for 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 fnal.'
"Do you think General Harrison will
take hand in the selection of candi-
date?"
81 do not think he will turn his hand over
to forward the chances of any other man.
The Republicans of the state, so far as he
is concerned, will be perfectly free to ex-
ercise their own wishes IN the matter. He
undoubtedly has his preferences, but he
will not try to influence the vote of any
delegate"
"For whom will the vote Of the Indiana
delegation probably be cast?''
~ think that in the great manufacturing
districts OF the at lte tie sentiment will be
for Mckinley. In some parts of Indiana
Senator Allison has following that will
probably get him some delegates. do
not take it that speaker Reed will develop
much strength"
"Will General Harrison be a quantity in
the senatorial race to succeed Voolhees?"
II do not have any idea 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 heeome a private citizen again
in truth and in fact. He wants only to be
able to come and go without being stopped
at every crossroad and asked what he
thinks about every question under the
sun.
1.-THE letter of Mr.. Harrison is an honest
and straightforward expression from him
self of his position as to the presidential
candidacy this year, and he should be cred
tied with being sincere in his declarations.
When he was a candidate in former cam
paigns Ne readily took the public into his
confidence and announced his position
without rererve. Now that he is not can
didate, he has taken the same course. SO
far as candor is concerned, and openly de-
clares his position. There is no doubt i'm
piled in his words, and I think he should be
understood when he so freely and une-
quiyocally expresses himself.
ut has been known to myself and
number of his friends for more than year
q candidate again for the presidency. He
was honest in his expression when he said
30 and we understood it.
II am not authorized to speak for Mr..
Harrison, but from his letter of this even
ing I perfectly understand his feelings.
What he says in it have known for sone
months The action of the Republican
state central committee few weeks ago
in endorsing him for the presidency this
year gave him the opportunity to express
publicly what he had indicated privately
for some months. He has now made an
honest declaration and do not see how he
can be misunderstood"
j. z. Gowdy, chairman of the Republi-
can state central committee, said:
II take it that the letter of Mr.. Harrison
means just what he says, and he is not and
will not be candidate. I think the Re-
PuOiICoho Va stAtS ceosO WiAt ~ eoAC lts tauu
that the vote of the Indiana delegation at
the national convention will not be given
to Mr.. Harrison. think the strength of
Indiana will go for the most part to Nc
Kinley, with liberal following for Allison
and some support for Reed.'
Mr.. Gowdy is known personally as Nc
Kinley man with Harrison out OF the race.
CLEVELAND, Feb. 3.-Hon. M. A. Hanna
was shown the Associated Press dispatch
from Indianapolis this evening announcing
the withdrawal of General Harrison from
the presidential race. and was asked what
effect the letter would have on the cand-
dacy of Mckinley.
II cannot but regard the withdrawal of
General Harrison in the most favorable
light,'' said Mr.. Hanna. "because of the
well-known strength of Governor McKin-
ley in Indiana. He has long been very
popular among the Republicans of that
state, and the accessions he will get there
will be a strong addition to his forces in
the central west. OF course the other cam
didates are likely to be represented in the
Indiana delegation. but it is my judgment
that the sentiment among the Republicans
Of that state is overwhelmingly for McKin-
ley.'
New YoRK, Feb. -Ex-Senatar Thomas
G. Platt, when informed tonight Of the ma