Omaha daily bee., 1896-09-10
BLACK GETS OFF THE TRACK
After Nine Days Consideration He Deoi de'
Not TO Make the Race.
DECLINES THE NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR
Gold ST ndard Democratic Candidate
i'm Illinois Refuses 20 Lead
what He Considers N
Eorlorn Hope.

CHICAGO. Sept. General Black today
formally declined the nomination of the gold
standard democrats for governor and w. s.
Forman of st. Clair county was put on 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 Chicago for the office of attorney
general.
William S. Forman made much reputation
for himself recently by the authorship of a
couple Of letters to Governor Altgeld, in
which he called attention to the management
of the state treasury during the incumbency
of Rufus Ramsay. Mr.. Forman Is a native
of Kentucky, is a lawyer of East st. Louis
and has represented the old Eighteenth dis
trict two terms in congress. Daniel V. Sam
tells is a Chicago law. er. Ee has Teen prom
ipent in democratic politics for many years.
Mr.. Blacks letter follows;
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Sept. 9.-To Hon. Charles
E. Wing, Chairman. C~hicago-Dear Sir; On
the 25th of August the convention OF honest
money democrats of whose state central COM
mittee 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 | had
received not one word from the state OF
Illinois relating in any way to political
affairs until the 21st, when | received a
telegram from you and kilograms from other
gentlemen advising me of the probable action
of the convention. With absolute absence
of information as to the situation, | wired
you suggesting obstacles in the way OF my
candidacy. which, II not Obviated, would be
conclusive upon me, but | was inclined to
abide by the judgment Of your convention,
after the full consideration of those obstacles.
On the Goth, upon my arrival at Detroit, |
learned by a Chicago paper, that | had been
nominated. Reaching Chicago on the morn
ing of the eth, | have. since that time, and
until Saturday, the 5th Of September, faith
fully sought for information as to the situa-
ton, that | might know what my duty in
the premises was.
CONSIDERING CAUSES HESITANCY.
II hope this interval of nine days. so
occupied by me, has not been an unreason-
able time, in view of all the circumstances.
On the 5th | advised the secretary of your
committee, Mr.. r.. Il. Spangler, that | could
not accept the nomination.. and asked him
to secure an interview with you on the 9TH
that | might formally so state to you. In
the interval spoken of, / used every means
at my to ascertain what the situa-
ton in this state was and what would be
my duty.
81 am convinced by my investigation that
in this state the election Tor governor lies
between Messrs. Tanner and Altgeld. |
recognize the disinterested character and
lofty aims OF your organization; that III seeks
to establish the democracy upon its ancient
foundations and amidst its ancient princi-
pies, a refuge for its erring brethren in the
future and a safeguard of free government.
l recognize the unselfsh devotion of the men
present in your convention to prin.
ciple and democracy, but | am
further convinced beyond a reasonable doubt
that the only effect of my candidacy would
be to diminish the chances of one or the
other of these gentlemen for election. Men
differ in their opinions as TO whose chances
would be most seriously impaired; 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
diminish the chances Of one or the other
of the candidates. So believing | feel con-
strained, highly as I prize the good opinion
of the gentlemen who placed me In nomina-
ton, to decline to be a candidate. With
great respect, l am, very truly your fellow
citizen, JOHN C. BLACK"