Arizona republican., 1900-09-20
WILL BE THREE CORNERED
Col. J. F. Wilson Will Not Withdraw
 from the Contest.

Colonel ]. F. Wilson denies in the strongest terms that he has entertained any proposition looking to his with drawal from the race for congress. He states with emphasis that he will be in the race until the evening of November and that unless the republican party negleCts to make nomination or un- less Mark smith decides to quit the contest, the territory will be treated to the spectacle of a three-cornered fight. Colonel Wilson says that in carrying out his resolution he is not consulting his own inclination. but that he could follow no other course in justice to h's friends. or with honor to himself. More than the possibility of success Colonel Wilson says, is involved in the present situation.
 By all parliamentary usages," he added. "I was clearly nominated for delegate to congress. There was only one regularly constituted convention, and that was the one of which Reese NJ. Ling was chairman. The election of no other chairman was announced by any body with authority. The conVen- ton which nominated me consisted of 103 delegates, including the contesting delegates from Maricopa county, whose right to seats was established by q properly appointed committee of ere dcntials, whose report was adopted. The other delegation was, therefore. not entitled to seats in any convention so that there could have been only fifty nine votes in favor of MT. smith. Under these circumstances | would be a moral coward and unfaithful to my party if l should listen to d proposition to lay down the trust which my party has put into my keeping.
 "Of the terms of compromise which have been published I can say nothing. There was some confidential talk, CT, what 1 understood to be confidential. which appears to have come to the knowledge of The Republican. How ever, that is of no importance. The terms were never entertained by me and will not be-"
 Some light was thrown by Colonel Wilson upon an incid-nt of the con vention on Thursday night, his visit t. the hall for the purpose of withdraw ing. That step was not taken at the in stance of any of his supporters. There had been no caucus by them upon any plan of campaign extending beyond the possible failure of the conference com mittee to agree. That failure became evident on Thursday night and the end of the agreement was at hand. The Wilson forces were divided as to the course then to be pursued. but none of these divisions contemplated an abdr- donment of the fight. It was necessary though that there should be unanimity if the fight Were to be brought to a sue cessful conclusion. While his advisers were wranSling Colonel Wilson told them that he would solve the difficulty by withdrawing and started to the con vention hall.
 Word Of his intention preceded him him and on his arrival he was met by his delegates, who endeavOred to dis suade him. Friends. not members of the convention, urged him to recall his purpose and at last he reluctantly con scented to do so on the condition that there should be no division of his forces.
 A caucus was accordingly arranged and was held the next morning. T. was attended by every member cf dele gations not in dispute and il was re- solved without dissent that the fight should be fought out that the Maricopa oontesting delegation was entitled to seats and that the convention should proceed to the nomination of Colonel Wilson. This programme was carried out and all further overtures Were dis regarded.
 With nomination thus legally in my hand, offered by a majority of forty-four in the convontion,' said Colonel Wilson. q would be worse than coward if should insult my follow ing by laying it down. l shall not de it"
 of the result, Mr. Wilson said Ee could not speak. His present duty was clear and he could not look beyond it until it had been performed.