The age-herald., 1899-09-19
OATES MAKES
 ANNOUNCEMENT Formal Statement That He WaI
 Stand for Senate, SCRAMBLE FOR THE *CE Other Names Being' : Stoned to Succeed Senat( 6 <rgan.
 = WILL ABIDE DECISION OF PARTY General Oates Says He Thinks Himself as Compel tent to Represent Alabama as Any Man in the State
WILL ABIDE DECISION OF PARTY

Age-Herald Bureau, Hotel MaDSOn Mont gomery, September 1S.-(Special)-Genera William Calvin Oates tonight formally an- nounced his candidacy for the United States senate, to succeed Senator John Tyler Morgan. This action on the part of General Oates was not unexpected, as it was learned Saturday that he had de- termined to enter the race.
 The announcement of General Oates makes it almost certain that there will be a general scramble for Senator Morgans seat. There is practically no doubt but that Governor Johnston will enter the race, and the chances are equal that Con- gressman Bankhead will also try for the position. Colonel John D. Roquemore, of Montgomery, has made it known to his friends that he is candidate. Under these conditions, their friends say that Hon. John B. Knox, of Anniston, and Hon. Ten nent Lomax, of Montgomery, will offer. The senatorial race bids fair to grow more perplexing than the governorship.
 A correspondent called upon General Oates tonight, and suggesting that his name had been frequently mentioned both in connection with the gubernatorial race and the senatorship. General Oates stated positively that he would not became can ddate for governor, but that he had de- termined to enter the contest to succeed Senator Morgan at the expiration of the latter's term in 1901. General 0atesk dic- tated the following statement in regard to his candidacy:
 General Oates Statement
 "I am grateful to my friends for their good opinion, but have had the honor of prp h. ably have succeeded myself according to the custom, but I had said during my can didacy that I would not ask for a second term and declined to stand for it. l do not desire it now and will not be a candidate for governor
 q resigned my seat as a representative in congress from the Third district, ard made the race for governor in 1891 because many prominent democrats made me be- lieve that it was necessary to save the dem- ocratic party from defeat. Governor is the highest office in the gift of the people of the state, but not always the most desir- able. There are many patriotic and able gentlemen very willing to be governor.
 Ills OAiy As ic,.tion
 "A1l of the people know that at the close of my term governor in December, 1896, that l was candidate for United States senator, and was defeated by General E. w. Pettus, a very distinguished and popular citizen. l made no complaint about il, but l told my friends that as a good general never surrendered one repuse, that I would be heard from again; that l believed then that the good people of the state would some day see proper to elect me to that office While young enough to render efficient service. It is the only office to which l aspire.
 ''I do not think that I am immodest or subject myself to any charge of being egotistc when l say that with the expe- rience have had that I am probably as capable of representing the people of Ala bama as efficiently in the senate of the United States as any other of her citizens.
 Compliments Senator Morgan
 'I have heard the names of several gen. tlemen mentioned as probable candidates, but none pronounced except the incumbent, whose term expires in March, 1901. l con- fess that 1 feel some reluctance to antag- onize old, able and faithful servant as General Morgan has been, although have not always agreed with him. He has been honored no other citizen of the state ever was. Four times the peoples repre- sentatives in the general assembly have elected him to the senate, a period of tWenty-four years I trust that it will not therefore be considered presumptious in another old soldier in the army of the con- federacy and in the ranks of the democ- racy to assume that the senator be re- lieved from his responsible and burden- some duties and be allowed to return to his people full of honors and of years, to spend a quiet afternoon of life among the people who have so often honored him.
 Does Not Discuss Issues
 ''I am in accord with him as to the gen. eral principles of democracy. There is no necessity for me to state wherein l have not agreed with him. My respect for him and good taste alike forbid that l should In this connection raise any such issues with him. l always act with my party, obey its laws and vote for its nominees. When the democratic caucus of the members of the next general assembly decides who is to be the candidate of the party for senator l shall cheerily abide by that decision, hop ing, of course, that l may be chosen It would completely fill the measure of my ambition and stimulate me to do all within my power for my constituency, my be- loved state and country.