Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-07-27
GOV. DRAKE RESIGNS.
Will Not be Candidate For Governor
This Fall-His Poor Health the
Reason.

Gov. Drake modified the guberna-
torial campaign in this state by with
drawing from the contest. His reasons
are given explicitly in the subjoined
letter, which are almost solely on ac-
count of physical disability, caused by
his recent fall on the state house steps.
The leading candidates now for the
governorship before the Republican
state convention, will be Lieutenant
Governor Parrott, of Waterloo, Senator
Funk, of Spirit Lake and w. l.. Gull
bertson, of Carroll. There will doubt
less be others. The governors letter is
as follows:
Des Moines, Iowa, July %, 1897.
'The Republicans of Iowa: 1t is
with great regret that / announce to
you that / cannot be a candidate for re-
which / could make that would not
in order to yield to the wishes of those
who insist on my being such candi-
date, wishes expressed both in cOnven-
tions and in the multitude of letters |
am receiving; but it is impossible. In
March last, Notwithstanding my desire
to return to private life, L yielded to the
urgent solicitation of many prominent
Republicans, and indicated willing
ness to accept another nomination for
the governshOp. To that determina-
ton, would have adhered, had it not
been for the injury received last week.
At first l thought that the injury was
not serious, but l have been confined to
my bed for more than week, and at a
consultation of physicians, which has
been held, l was informed that the
probabilities are against my leaving my
room for weeks to come, and further,
that it was doubtful, owing to an all
ment of long standing that is aggra-
waited by the injury, whether / could
take any part in the campaign this fall,
except at the peril of my life.
"Under these circumstances only one
thing remains for me to do. The Re-
publican party should have in that
campaign leader who can endure the
fatigue of a vigorous and energetic cam
vass You must, therefore, choose
some other standard bearer. Whose
ever he shall be, will, if physical disa-
bility is to exclude me from active work
in the campaign, bear with him every
moment my ardent hope for his sue
cess and that of the party with which
have been proud to be identified during
its entire existence, for free home
steads, for the upbuilding of home in
dustries, for sound currency and for
other beneficiens measures, | have par
ticipated. The belief that magnifi-
cent victory awaits us this fall, consoles
me somewhat for the sorrow expert
ence in not being able to lead in the
coming fight.
"I cannot forget how kind and
generous has been the support of the
Republican party, which gave me two
years ago the largest vote and one of
largest pluralities ever given a candi-
date for governor in Iowa, conscious of
having been actuated by none but patri
otic motives from the time when, in
early manhood, /, with many others,
served my country on the battle field of
the Union, purposing to continue in
that spirit until shall lay down the
honors and responsibilities of my pres
ent official position, and assuring my
fellow citizens that shall never desire
to serve my party, my state and my
country less willingly or less ardently
with what OF the time and strength
God in his goodness shall give me, i
am, Very sincerity yours"
(Signed1 f. Nj. DRAKE.