The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1898-03-10
TAYLOR TIRES OF POLITICS.
Governor Announces That After
This Term He Will Seek
Private Life.
VIII Not Run for Senator and Bate Is Alone
In the Field.
Nashville American March 5th.

Nashville American March 5th.
Gov. Robert L. Taylor has decided
to leave the field of politics forever, af-
er the expiration of his present term as
Governor. He will not be a candidate
for the United States Senate, but will
leave the political arena fer happier
md more cOngenial field of work.
The anno uncement will prove start
ing surprise to people all over the
State. Up to yesterday Gov, TaylOrs
workers were busy getting his cam
paign for Senator in shape. Even to-
day there are men oil over the State
working for him, who will be surprised
at the announcement. His campaign
letters have circulated over the entire
State, and his campaign proper has long
since passed the embryonic stage. Gov.
Taylor was billed to open his canvass
with speech at TrentSn on Monday.
The people of Gibson county will be
disappointed, as we'll as the people all
pver Tennessee.
Yesterday about noon there was a
lecidsd rumor that there was going to
1e big sensation in political circles.
reporter for the American got wind
Of the report. 1t did not take long to
ascertain its nature. Gov. Taylor was
seen in his apartments at the Maxwell
shortly after dinner last evening. He
informed the reporter that he had pre-
pared an address to the people of Ten
nessee, which he submitted as follows
To the People. Il have fully and
finally determined to retire from poll
tics. I do so because | am tired Of its
narrowing antagonism. l am tired Of
it's unjust accusations and its violent
contention. / am tired of it. because as
I grow older l find myself less and
less able to bear the stings of criticism
and the slabs of slander. l am tired OF
it because there is no peace in it for me,
and because believe that I can do
more good and have more friends and
more happiness in the private walks of
life.
If I had an office to give to every
friend who asks, and pardon for the
son of every old weeping mother, and
the husband of every sobbing wife, if
1 had money to put in all the bony
hands of poverty daily extended to me
for holp; if 1 had the power to protect
the weak against the strong; if could
give happiness to all the people and
sorrow to none, would be contented
to remain in the field Of politics.
1t is true L have remained in 1t a long
time, and have fought vigorously fol
the principles and politics of Govern
ment which / thought were best fol
our country. I have had nay ambitions
and have earnestly sought to reach
high position in order that might bt
able to benefit my fellow men. / have
succeeded bat the realization was like
the rainbow, an elusive phantom, svel
in sight, never ia reach, resting evel
on the horizon of hope, and L have dis
covered that he who climbs to the SUM
NIT of political prominence will lool
down with longing eyes upon the hum
bier plane of life below and wish hi
feet had never wandered from its warm
or sunshine and sweeter fewersSS
Twenty years Of anxiety and nervou
strain and the perils and sweat al politi
cal campaigning and official agony will
have been rounded up with the close o
my present term of Office, and I will b
ready to gladly surrender all my hope
of further political promotion to other
whs are more ambitious, and who fin,
delight in giving and receiving blows
l have concluded that twenty years 9
such life is enough for any one mai
of my temperament.
Three times I have borne the banns
of my party among the mountain fast
nesses Of the First congressional dis
trict, six times | have canvassed Ten
nessee from Bristol to Memphis, thre
times have worn the honors of GOV
ernor of my native state. Whether
have fought the battles we'll or moi
whether l have been faithful servan
will leave to the verdict Of the peopl
whom have served so long.
l did not wish to enter the struggl
of 1895, but my party commanded an
there was nothing left for me to dc bu
to obey.
Since my election / have never ha
that fixed purpose which is necessar
to the achievement of success in pol
tics. | have wavered because | had a
unccnquerable desire to quit the life
a politician and to enter happier an
|, more peaceful fields of labor. / hay
never wsvered one lot or title in IL
; performance of my duty in Office, bl
l only as to what l should do with refe
snce to my own PERSONAL future.
: feel conscious that I have been trl
5 to my trust and true to the people HG
1 not been true to them I might ha'
had asmoothsr path and a softer pillo,
but have always believed it better
i walk in the thOrny path of duty al
! sleep upon the hard pillow of care
the sake of right; haYe believed