The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-22
GOWDY INSISTS ON IT
HE SAYS M'KINLEY INSTRUCTIONS
SHALL DE GIVEN,
terview In I'm the Imperative
Mood.

Chairman Gowdy, of the Republican State
committee. when asked by a reporter Of the
Journal what his attitude was in reference
to Endorsement OF Governor Mckinley for
President and instructing the delegates said:
Il am In favor OF strong Endorsements Of
governor Mckinley, al the State convention,
ana Il am also in favor OF instructing the
qe.egates at large to vote for him at the ST.
LOUIS convention, as long as there Is a rea-
sonaDie chance for his nomination L regret
ted very much the letter OF General Harrison
declining 10 permit the use or his name as a
candidate, and tried TO impress him with the
Importance OF not giving his letter to the
public. l believed then If he had remained 81
lent, as he had in the past. that he could have
been nominated at ST. Louis, but from the
tone of his letter, and his expressions when
referring to IL, / was convinced that he was
sincere and honest, and meant every word
ne said; that he was not then a candidate,
and did not desire to be so considered. / am
stu OF the opinion that he IS not a candidate
Tor President. and Will not be. and in my
Judgment, no one regrets more than he that
his name Is being used to defeat Governor
Mckinley's nomination.
Immediately after General Harrison's let
chairmen in the State, requested them to
advise US by return mall who the Repub.i-
cans in each county and district favored fer
President admitting that General Harrison
was not now a candidate), naming them in
the following order: Mckinley, Allison, Reed
and Morton In five days L received fifty
Two answers, showing tQat at least W per
cent. Of the Republicans In the respective
counties favored McKinley's nomination. I'M
mediateiy after receiving the letters above
referred TO l freely expressed myself as ia
vOring Mckinley's nomination. l am not
posing as a dictator or as a boss 1 have
always made II a point TO learn what the
masses of the party desired. and tried to
carry out their wishes. / believe hat a
chairman of the State committee should be
known as the servant OF the party, and not
as a dictator. I am trying faithfully 10 per-
form my duties a.ong hat line. and feel very
sure that both Endorsement and instructions
VIII be passed by the convention. 1t seems
TO me but reasonable that the convention
should do SO, when 10 has been so clearly
shown by the county and district conven-
tons that at least 80 per cent. Of the Repub-
licanS of Indiana favor McKinley's nominal
ton. and that the delegates attending the
convention have the right to say who they
favor as a presidential candidate. 1t GER
tainly does not seem 10 me TO be good poll
the Republicans in the State to attempt to
dictate and control the action of the State
convention, when 80 per cent. of the delegates
IN the convention will be favorable TO Gov
that Endorsements and instructions shall be
passed favoring McKinley's nomination"
Yesterday there was a revival Of the talk
that sprang up some months ago about send
ind General Harrison to ST. Louis at the
head Of the Indiana delegation. 1t was
stated by Harrison's friends at that time
that 1t was entirely unlikely that he would
think of accepting such a responsibility. Yes
terday E. F. Tibbotf. General Harrison's pri-
vate secretary. was asked II the ex-PresIdent
had any knowledge OF the talk in favor of
making him a delegate at large. The Gen.
eral does not know anything of 1t. and Of
course will not CO." said Mr.. Tibbott.