The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-06-01
Senator TurleY Will Step Aside.

Senator Turley Will Step Aside.
Memphis, May 27.-Hon. Thomas B.
Turley will not be candidate for re-
election to the United States senate.
He has made up his mind on that point
to that effect and has so informed some
of his most intimate, personal and po-
litical friends. For several months ru-
mors to that effect have been going the
rounds in the state press, but it was
not until today that Senator Turley
made public announcement of his in
tentions. Today areporter asked him,
as had been done several times before,
whether or not he had anything to say
for publication as to the rumors of his
not again being candidate.
IT have determined" was his reply,
mot to again ask for the position.
Some time since | received q letter
from Hon. Charles G.. Parker. of Shell
byville, former member of the state
senate, asking that he be informed
what my future political course would
be, and the following letter to him
gives both my determination and the
reasons which have induced me to that
conclusion:
"'Memphis, Tenn, May 10, $780,
Dear Sir: Referring to your letters of
Dec. II, 1898, and May 4, 1899, and my
reply to the former, under date of Dec.
10, 1898, in which wrote you that, be-
fore making any public announcement
of my course with reference to Offering
again for the senatorship, | would write
you what was my final conclusion on
the subject.
"I have determined not to again
ask for the position. The chief reason
which influences me to this conclusion
IS that l am unwilling to devote the
latter portion of my life to a constant
struggle for office. have always fell
that the citizen who is once chosen by
his fellow citizens to fill an honorable
office is not entitled simply by that fac
to ask it again and again at theil
hands.
land know myself too we'll to be
lieye or think for q moment that ny
services in the state are necessary Il
the welfare of our state. Tennessee,
has many sons better fitted for the plac
than am l.
"'I was selected to serve the stat
for definite period. l feel that it j
my duty to give the best am capabl
of to that service for the time for whicl
l was chosen, but that it is equally m,
duty, at the end of that time, to reSurl
the office to the people who gave it am
not to seek it again.
"'Another reason is that the life an
duties of q private citizen are more con
genial to me than the responsibilities
of SO exalted an office. AS you know
I have passed my whole life in Mem
phis and my associations here at HON
are so pleasant that L do not feel lik
giving them up. | know that I will b
happier and more contented in practit
, ing my profession here among the pee
pie who have known me from boyhoo
and in performing the duties whic
are always at hand, and pressing o
one who has many ties, as I have her
at home, than I would be even if I SUI
ceeded in obtaining all the honors tbs
can come to one in public life.
"T fully appreciate the great respor
sibilities which attach to the place
and l hope have met them and that
may continue, until my term is ended
to meet them in way to satisfy tn
) people who have been so kind and pal
: tial to me. If, when my term is out,
have not disappointed my state, / sha
be fully satisfied.
"I shall always feel that I owe
4 debt to the people of Tennessee whic
Q l can never repay, and to you espe,
g tally will I always feel grateful for til
: interest you have taken in me and m
fortunes. "'THos. B. TURLEY.
"'Hon. Charles G. Parker, Shelbyvill
Q Tenn"