The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-20
MUST GIVE UP THE HELM
CHAIRMAN M'CULLOCH NOT A CANDI-
DATE FOR REELECTION.
His Physicians Insist He Must Retire
from Activity--IIis Services on
Republican Committee.

George F. McCunoch, of Muncie, very
greatly surprised the most of his friends
last evening by announcing to them he
would not be a candidate for reelection
as chairman of the Republican state COM
mittee. Not for years has there been such
a. unanimous feeling in the party in Indi-
ana in favor of any one man to head the
party machinery. and the announcement
will be received with genuine regret by
the Republicans throughout the State. Mr..
McCulloch made his first appearance in
State politics in January, of 1896, when he
was chosen to represent the Eighth dis
trict on the state committee. He is a man
Of large business interests in Muncie, and,
though he has always been an active and
consistent Republican, he had not before
taken any conspicuous part in the manage
mcnt of party affairs. 1t will be remem-
bered that the committee had many knotty
questions to determine, and in the dispo-
siIion Of these matters Mr.. McCulloch dis
played force of character and conserva-
tive wisdom that very soon won him recog-
milton as one Of the strongest men that
had been on the committee for years. Upon
the retirement of Chairman Gowdy he was
the unanimous choice of the committee for
chairman, and it was the general under
standing that he would be reelected with
out opposition when the committee should
organize on Feb. g.
For some years past however, Mr.. Nc
Culloch has suffered greatly from a lame
knee, and all of last summer was spent by
him in private hospital in this city. His
physicians now insist that he shall have
several months of absolute quiet, and de-
clare that active campaign work is out of
the question for him. 1t was after consul
tation with them that he determined to re-
tire entirely from political work until his
health is restored. In order that should
there be any disagreement as to his sue
ccssor, the people might properly deter
mine it in the district conventions, to be
held Feb. /, Mr.. McCulloch decided to at
once announce his retirement and last
evening gave the Journal the following
statement for publication:
To the Republicans of Indiana:
Coming into the position of state chair
man to supply a temporary need, have
tried to justify the partiallty of my friends
by being of some service to the party in
seeking to bring all elements into closer ac-
cord. l am pleased to continue efforts
on this line until the new chairman snail
be elected, representing united party, IN
which form we can certainly succeed in
Indiana this year.
Circumstances have placed me in such
position and relation to our state organiza-
ton that l believe fairness to others will
Justify this premature and somewhat pre-
SumptuouS statement
My physicians command that my lame
leg, now so long neglected, must have
prompt, continuous and persistent treat
ment, accompanied by rest and freedom
from care, If / can hope to be restored. This
/ consider my first duty to myself, my
family and my friends.
When Mr.. Henry recently announced that
he did not desire to return to Congress from
the Eighth district, the field became an
open one and my name was mentioned
among the eligibles. Nov. 20, replying to
inquiries of a reporter, / authorized the
following statement in the Muncie Daily
Times:
81 appreciate exceedingly the many kind
things my friends in Delaware and other
counties of the district are pleased to say
of me. / am grateful for the expressions
of confidence and the sincerity and earnest
very great desire to merit the continued
good will of the Republicans of the county
and district, and my very great pleasure
to serve them from time to time l may
be able, and they may choose. L recognize
the honor and distinG ii IN service in Con-
no desire, however, at this time, to hold
public office, and am not ambitious for per-
sonal political preferment. You may there
fore, say for me that / am not a candidate
positively decline to be considered a pos
sibility in that connection, under any cir
cumStances."
1 wish to confirm the above statement
extending its application both in letter and
spirit. to my friends in the State, and to
GEO. f. MCULLOCH.