The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-08-01
THE LATE CHAIRMAN OF THE Ma
TIONAL COMMITTEE ABJUREs
POLITICS ENTIRELY.
WOULD ESCAPE DRUDGERY
SOMETHING of THE CAREER OF
THE MAN WHO MANAGED THE
1892 CAMPAIGN.
HAS BEEN IN Politics IA YEARS
He Might Have Had the Vice Presi-
Dental Nomination ut Chicago
If He Pleased.

PHILADELPHI<As July S1.-WilIiam
F. Harrity, until recently chairman of
the Democratic national committee.
and for years a leader in the party
councils, made the announcement to-
day that he has retired from active
politics. In answer to inquiries upon
the subject, Mr.. HaFrity made the fol-
lowing statement:
Eyes, it is true that I have deter
mined to withdraw from active parti-
cipation in political affairs. For several
years past I have been accorded some
prominence in the management and
leadership of the Democratic party.
but / now desire to take my place in
the ranks, except IN so far as I may
have duties to perform as the Pennsyl-
yania member of the Democratic nat
ional committee. In taking this step,
/ wish to express my warm appreci-
alton of the personal and political
friendship and support which I have
enjoyed during my political career.
have no resentment for my enemies,
and nothing but gratitude for my
friends. No man ever had warmer or
more loyal and devoted friends than 7
have. These friends I still hope to re-
tain, even though I have withdrawn
from actual political association with
them, and If the time shall come when
I can serve or aid them, it will be my
pleasure to respond to their calls or
demands. I shall, said Mr.. Harrity,
continue to take d general interest in
politics, and shall always be ready to
go wherever I reasonably and consis-
tently can, to pro5faote the success of
the Democratic party; but 1 shall alb
solutely refrain from any participation
whatever in mattere that relate to party
organization and management. I have
given much of my time, and a good
deal of my energies to political matters
since 1882, when I first began to take
an active part in politics. I have now
concluded, however,. TO take rest from
politics, and to devote all Of my ener-
giles to the practice Of nv profession
and to my private business matters"
Mr.. Harrity's declaration is under
stood by his frien6s to mean that he
will give no attertion to the work Of
state or county conventions or Of state
or county committzes and that he will
not In any. way ,eH5eavor to influence,
secure or control aolitical nominations
or appointments of any character what
ever. They now resprd Mr. Harrity as
entirely "out Of Ealitics,' although the
prediction is mad by some of them
that they will no9e surprised to. see
him appeer again p.zzst. opal III state
politics, after a fw years retirement.
and relief from the drudgery and de-
tails OF active participation In party
management.
HIS POLITICAL CAREER.
Mr.. Harrity's career in politics has
been most successful In January,
1892, he was elected by the Democratic
state committee of Pennsylvania, to
represent that state in; the Democratic
national committee, as the successor
of the late w, L. Scott. On April 13,
1892, he was unanimously elected by
the Democratic. state convention for
the full term as the Pennsylvania
member of the Democratic national
committee, which election was unani-
mously ratified by the Pennsylvania
delegation to the Democratic national
convention held at Chicago, June e.
1892. On July Il, 1892, Mr. Harrity was
unanimously elected chairman of the
Democratic national committee at
meeting held in the city of New York
on that day. AS Democratic national
chairman, Mr.. Harrity conducted the
national campaign Of 1892, which re-
suited in the election Of Grover CIeve-
land and A. e. Stevenson as president
and vice president of the United States
1t is generally understood that because
of his efficient services to the Demo-
cratic party and his devotion to Presi-
dent Cleveland during the canvass for
the nomination and election to the
presidency in 1892, Mr. Harrity would
have been appointed a member of Mr.
Cleveland's cabinet, had he not indi-
Gated his disinclfnation to accept the
position, prefesTing to remain In the
office of secretary of state of Pennsyl-
vania until the end of his term. Mr..
Harrity was delegate at large to the
Democratic national convention of 1896,
and by a unanimous vote was made
chairman of the Pennsylvania delega-
ton to that convention. He was also
unanimously reelected as the Pennsyl-
vania member Of the Democratic ma
tional committee. AS chairman of the
Democratic national committee, he pre-
sided over the deliberations of the Chi
cago convention with such signal abil-
ity. impartiality and dignity that Sena-
tor John W. Daniel, of Virginia, who
succeeded Mr.. Harrity as presiding Of
f1cer of the convention, paid high
tribute to his fairness and ability
subsequently, Senator Jones, of Ar
kansas, who was elected as Mr.. Harri-
tvs successor as chairman of the Dem
ocratic national committee offered a
resolution which was unanimously and
enthusiastically adopted, thanking Mr..
I1diIlly IOr the auIllTdDle manner IN
which he had presided over the con-
vention. In the same convention Mr..
Harrity received 81 votes for vice pres
ident. The successful part taken by
Mr.. Harrity in the Chicago convention
was matter of frequent and favora-
bic comment. Not only was he COM
rmended for the skill and ability dis
played by him in the three hours dur
ing which he presided over the conven-
tion, but the nomination for the vice
presidency was within his reach. While
there was no actual tender of the
craftsmanship of the Democratic ma
tional committee to Mr. Harrity. vet
it is known that enough of the free
silver members of the committee were
personally friendly to him to insure
his reelection as chairman, had he
consented that they should do SO. Mr..
Harrity replied TO them and all others
who spoke to him on the subject that
he would not accept. Mr.. Harrity an
nounces enphattcaIIy that he will not
resign his position as a member Of the
national committe from this state.
There will be practically nothing for
him to do for four years and, as ma
tional committeeman, he Is able in
broad way to continue in touch with
national politics. while escaping the
drudgery of active participation in
party management.
Dakota County's Wealth.