The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-15
POPE BROWN AND POLITICS.
HE DECLINES TO ENTER THE RACE
FOR THE GOVERNORSHIP.

FOR THE GOVERNORSHIP.
The Announcement Made in n Letter
to His Fellow Citizens at Haw-
kinsviIIc Who Asked Him to be-
come a Candidate For the Nominal
tiOn-Private Business Demands
His Attention Rather Than Craft
icatiOn Of His Ambition.
Atlanta, Ca, Dec. 14-Pope Brown,
president of the State Agricultural Soc.e-
ty viii not be a candidate for governor
next year Thus the situation is simplihed.
His decision not to run was received
with surprise at the capitol to-day, as he
has been regarded as a certainty for some
months past Mr.. Brown gave out his de-
cision in a letter to his friends in Pu-
laski county, who recently met and in
dorsed him for the high office.
After thanking his home folks for their
loyalty, and referring briefly TO his posi-
ton in regard to the state university, he
says in his letter: 1T is not a question Of
university or anti-university, it is a ques-
ton between the friends of industrial ed
ucation and those who have stood in its
way for twenty-five years, thereby retard-
ing the material development of the re-
sources of our state, known as the Empire
state of the south, not by reason of the
efforts of the present generation, but be-
cause our fathers won for her this title
What we shall do to maintain it in honor
and in truth is a question that should ad-
dress Itself to every patriotic Georgian.
"Our state is rich in its wonderful re-
sources, with a soil and climate peculiar
ly adapted to diversified agriculture, I'M
surpassed for the variety of its products
or the perfection of their growth. 1t is
the home of the farmer. Whatever can
be done TO add to the contentment and
prosperity of the farmers home will add
to the glory and upbuilding of the state.
1--WE have the raw material and unde-
veloped water powers. A factory upon
the banks of every stream and in every
town and city to manufacture the articles
we buy now from abroad would leave in
Georgia the money made in Georgia. We
have not cultivated the manufacturing
spirit of our people. We have not edu-
Gated our youths Cor this work. We start
an enterprise of any kind, we must inn
port the brains to guide the machinery,
Georgia cotton should be spun and woven
I'm Georgia. The same applies to Georgia
wagons and everything We have TO buy.
Until we adopt this policy we cannot reach
our highest development as a state. If
we develop our farms and factories to
their fullest extent they will take care of
the rest and make Georgia in truth as in
name the empire state of the south.
In conclusion, you indorse me and rec
ommend me to the people of Georgia as
UTO Y n ia
ton in their gift, and request me to make
the race for governor at the coming cleo
ton. My name has been used in this con-
nection together with those of a mum Der
of distinguished Georgians. This has
been done without the slightest suggestion
from me personally, and by letter l have
received assurances Of support from
friends in every section of the state and
from every walk in life. l have approach
ed no man upon the subject, until now it
has not been incumbent upon me to affirm
or deny whether I would be a candidate or
not but now 1 am called upon by neigh
bors to decide this important question,
which l must do promptly and in candor.
''To be governor of the great state of
Georgia is worthy of any mans ambition
I believe l would be as acceptable to the
people as any man whose name has been
mentioned. I am in no wise sure that
could be nominated. To make the race
should have to begin now, and laying all
other business aside, devote my time and
attention exclusively to the campaign, in
volving considerable expense, besides the
neglect of nv business MY business de-
mauds my attention. You well know the
terrible disaster suffered by myself and
others in our section in the way of the
most destructive hailstorm that ever Wis
tied our section. 1t cost me about 200 bales
of cotton and between 5000 and 1900 bush
els of corn. In addition to this, you know
the price of cotton is below the cost of
production. My labor is demoralzed. No
one can direct it as can.
must choose between duty
and ambition. If felt called
upon by the people of Georgia to serve
them in my capacity, it would be my duty
TO do so to the best of my ability, but I
do not perceive any special call for the
services of any one man. There are
those who will contend for the nominal
ton, good and true men, who are willing
to make the sacrifice to crafty their am
bition. From these the people can select
one, no doubt more worthy than myself.
for the exalted position Therefore in de-
clning to enter the contest for nomination
] shrink from no duty to my people, but
simply perform the duty to myself and
family
"Th@lking you, and my friends through
you, who have volunteered their support
In case of my candidacy. 1 am your ODE
dent servant, G. p Brown"