The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-02-05
HARRISON OUT OF IT.
Declines To Be Named as Presi-
Dental Candidate.
LETTER GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC.

The Ex-Prcside Announces That lie Has
No Desire to Return tn the White House
and Releases His Friends from All ObIi-
cations In That Regard-what John c.
New, General Aiger and Others Say of
the Matter.
INDIANAPOLIS, Feb General Harri-
son surprised everybody here Monday
night by giving out a letter declining TO
permit the use of his name as republic
an candidate for the presidency and rcleas-
ing his friends from all obligation IN that
regard. General Harrison sent for Chair
man Gowdy OF the Republican state CEN
tral committee Monday afternoon and
delivered the letter TO him with the
words
"rhis letter may contain something of
interest You may read IL after you re-
turn to your Office. and trust you will
give it the widest publicity"
Further than this Mr.. Harrison did not
discuss the subject, and refused TO be in
terviewed The letter as published says
Mr.. Harrison has no desire TO return to
the White House and declines 10 be
candidate for the presidential nomina-
tion.
What John &. New says.
John New was interviewed l., regard
to the personal letter to Chairman Gowdy
OF the Republican state committee from
General Harrison distinctly declining to
allow his name to go before the st. Louis
convention as candidate for the presi-
dency Of the United States Mr.. New
said General Harrison's letter meant just
what it said and would be so taken by
Indiana Rtpublicans there was no string
10 it. lie was asked
''Do you think General Harrison will
take any hand in the selection of candi-
date?"
Il do not think he will turn his hand
over TO forward the chances Of any man
The Republicans of the state, so far as
ho is concerned, will be perfectly free TO
exercise their own wishes in the matter.
He undoubtedly has his preferences, but
no will not try to influence the vote OF
any delegate"
"Wnl General Harrison be quantity
i'm the senatorial race to succeed Vor-
hees?'
II DO not have dny idea that he will.
In this, however. am only speaking for
myself General Harrison desires TO get
away from official life and public notice.
He wants To become II private citizen again
In truth and in fact.
Wants To BE Let Alone.
"He wants once more To be able TO come
and 90 without being stopped at every
crossroad snd asked about what no thinks
about every question under the sun. The
letter of Mr. Harrison is an honest and
straightforward expression from himself
of his position as 70 the presidential can
didacy this year and he should be credited
with being sincere in his declarations.
When be was candidate in former cam
paigns he readily took the public into his
confidence ana announced his position
without reserve.
Now that ne is not candidate he has
taken the same course so far as candor is
concerned. and openly declares his post
ton. There is no doubt implied in his
words and | think he should be under
stood when he so freely and unequivocally
expresses himself. 1t has been known TO
| myself and number of his friends for
| more than year that Mr. Harrison did
not wish to become a candidate again Tor
the presidency He was honest in his
expression when he said so, and we un-
| derstood it.
Understands His Feelings.
Il am not authorized to speak for Mr..
| Harrison, but from his letter i perfectly
understand his feelings. What he says in
| IL have known for some months. The
action of the Republican state central
committee a few weeks ago in endorsing
| him for the presidency this year gave him
the opportunity to express publicly what
Inc has indicated privately for some
months He has now made an honest
declaration, and ! do not see how he can
| be misunderstood.
| G.. w. Fairbanks, candidate for the
| United States senate, said he considered
the letter final He thought the vote OF
| the state at the national convention would
| be decided. He was sorry that Harrison
| had withdrawn, but not surprised. w.
| II. H. Miller, ex-attorney general, said
there was no doubt rs to the meaning Of
Mr.. Harrison. The letter meant just
what it said, and expressed what Mr..
/ Harrison felt.