Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-05
WAS A SURPRISE TO NO ONE
Politicians All Profess to Have Known of
Harrison's Intentions.
CANDIDATES ARE FEELING RELIEVED
Friends of Each Profess to believe
the EN-Prcsidcnrs Withdrawal
VIII lie 10 Their Adj
vantage.

'er, said ex-senator Warner Miller todnv
IL Is nothing more than a formal statement
OF the views which he has expressed IN his
trlehds scores Of times In the last afteen
months He has repeatedly declared himself
u'sinelined to undergo the trials of another
presidential campaign, and this formal OK
preston OF his feeling may be accented n.
definite and final
ihe enect of General Harrisons action
upon Governor Morton's prospects," con-
tinued Mr.. Miller, "can hardly be other than
helpful. He and the governor are friends
and have many friends in common. 1t seems
TO me that the generals followers should
turn instinctively to the governor now that
tnelr own leader has withdrawn from the
neld AT all events the Harrison letter will
add new force and determination to the
movement for Governor Mortons nomina-
tion."
COLUMBUS, o., Feb 4-William II. Hahn.
secretary of the republican national commit
tee. says the declination of Harrison makes
McKinley's nomination and election sure. Mr.
Hahn favors an Ohio convention In March
to show the country that this state is n
unit for Mckinley and favors Sherman For
aker, Bushnell and Grosvenor for delgates
at large.
DISCUSSED AT THE CAPITAL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. a.-Speaking of ex-
President Harrisons letter, Senator Davis
OF Minnesota said: II have no doubt that
General Harrison means just what he says.
1t is characteristic Of the man and 1t takes
MIN out of the race. / am not surprised
at the announcement, for l have believed
for some time that his attitude was as indi-
Gated by his letter"
General L. T. Michener well known as an
old-time friend Of General Harrison and
one who had much to do with his nomina-
tion, was asked today for an expression con-
corning General Harriscns letter. He said:
81 have no doubt that the decision of Gem
eral Harrison is final Since he left the
white house he has never had the slightest
desire to return to 1t as president or course
the constant expressions favorable to his
nomination and election have been gratify-
Ing In the sense that they represented the
approval of his course while president and
confidence in his ability to restore prosperity
to the country.
II do not know what Indiana will do, but
imagine that all candidates will develop
strength there, especially Mr.. Mckinley and
Mr. Allison. The manufacturing centers will
probably be disposed to support Mckinley,
while the other sections, 1 should think
would be very likely to go to Allison or,
Morton. 1t seems to me that Mr.. Allison
would naturally have considerable support
from the state, not only as a matter Of gratt-,
tude for the timely ard fIic.ent up -ort which
General Harrison derived from the Allison
men In the national convention of 1888 but
also because of his conceded abilities and
known conservative characteristics and views
would make him particularly satisfactory to
those friends of General Harrison who were
drawn to him because of his possession OF
the same qualities"
General Harrson's letter of withdrawal
from the presidential race gave an unusual
impetus to political talk about the capital
today. There are active workers in con-
gress for the nomination of Reed Morton,
Mckinley and Allison, and the friends of
each of these candidates found cause for
encouragement in the letter, which they
say removes the ex-presidcnt from the list
of possibilities. No one suggested any
doubt of the sincerity of Mr.. Harrison's
declaration, and most of them professed to
believe that its result would strengthen their
own candidate.
WHAT DINGLEY THINKS OF 1T.
Mr.. Dingley of Maine. who is Speaker
Reeds closest friend In the house, was not
reluctant to say about General Harrison's
letter that 1t undoubtedly removed him
from the field a presidential factor. He
added that no one who knew Mr.. Harrison
had believed him to be a candidate and
that the letter not surprise.
Senator Hansbrough, who is strong ad-
vocate Of the nomination of Senator Davis,
said he thought the Withdrawal Of General
Harrison would benefit the Minnesota cam
didate very materially. HE will be nom
mated" added Mr.. Hansbrough.
Mr.. Hepburn of Iowa, who is one Of the
committee having Mr.. Alison's interests at
Washington in charge says: Harrison has
always recognized the aid given him in 1888
by the immediate friends Of Allison at a
critical period of his candidacy. He has q
high regard for the ability Of the senator, as
was evinced by the earnest demand he made
that the senator should be a member of his
cabinet as secretary of the treasury in 1889,
and which demand would have been ac-
ceded to but for the protest of the repub-
licans of Iowa, who were unwilling to lose
him from the senate.
Senator Carter. chairman of the national
republican committee, said: "The letter OF
General Harrison to Chairman Gowdy is in
strict accord with every expression have
heard him make since the election of 1899.
Very shortly after the election he wrote me
an autograph letter. rendering his personal
thanks to the committee, and expressing his
cordial appreciation OF the services rendered.
In that letter he manifested grave concern
for the welfare Of the country under the
policy Of the successful party ! take the
liberty Of quoting from his letter:
II could not feel much personal interest
in result that seemed to me so full OF
heavy burdens But for our good friends and
for tho country am full of regret. Prosper
ity In an unexamped manner was ours. and
the future was big with increase. But the
people have chosen reaction and retrogres-
sion. Experience Is not instructive; each
generation must have its own. The antag-
onism between the workman and his em-
ployer made the former deliver blow which
pray God he may never feel, but which fear
he WILL
'These expressions OF concern for the gen.
eral welfare OF the country, separate and
apart from any personal relation. have char
acterized every utterance from General Har-
rison in my presence from the election OF
1892 to the present time. At time has
he, to my knowledge directly or indirectly
indicated to any person a desire to secure the
presidential nomination Of 1896"
LONDON, Feb. 5-The Times has an edl-
torIal discussing ex-President Harrlson's re-
tirement and the chances OF other candidates,
In which 1t says 1t thinks Cleveland will now
derive an advantage from fair and honorable
settlement OF the Venezuelan affair. The
Times also dwells upon the necessity Of the
British and American negotiators obtaining
fuller information regarding the disputed set-
tied districts.
Held Up In broad Daylight.
KANSAS CITY. Feb. 4.--On an outlying
street here today. In broad daylight, C. =.
Pauly cashier OF the Standard OIL COM
pany. was robbed Of $ai5, which he was
taking to the bank. The highwayman was
John Searcy. 20 years old, local tough
with n bad record Searcy was captured
after an exciting chase by crowd ana
thp nnney recovered. AT the police sta