Mexico weekly ledger., 1900-03-29
HON. D. A. BALL RET1REs.
Decision Reached att Conference With
His Friends in St. Louis Yester-
day-Letterto His Friends.

fF0m Tue ots LOUIS ttepuuucs
David A. Ball, Of Pike county, has
withdrawn from the race for the
Democratic nomination for Governor.
The conclusion was reached here yeC-
terday, after a conference with his
friends lby MIR. Ball, that withdrawal
was the best course, and he took it.
Having done 30, he announced his
decision to those about him, and then
addressed a letter to his friends
throughout the State, in which he
says:
"My ambition to be Governor Of
Missouri, the greatest of the Union Of
States, has been the ambition Of my
life, No man in the Union has been
and is more loyal to the principles Of
Democracy and it's success than my
self, but IL is, no doubt, perfectly ap-
parent to you that the political situ-
alton in Missouri, as 1t now exists,
eliminates me as candidate for the
Democratic nomination for Cover
nor.n
Further, he says; nMy pronounced
views In favor Of the Democratic
platform of 1896 are well known to
the people of the State. In
retiring from the race, / reafirm
stronger than ever ali that have said
In my speeches, both written and
oral"
Mr.. Ball, in retiring, takes excep-
tion to the action OF the State 0om-
mIttee in calling the State Nominate
ing Convention before the National
Democratic Convention, characterize
ing 1t as "unusual," but "as q Demo-
crat who has at all times tried to do
his duty he accepts the decision Of
the committee as "the law Of the
party" and says:
mo one win accuse me of being
disloyal or of ever falling to respond
to the call of my party" No credit,
however, is claimed by Mr.. Ball, for
ne frankly says that no credit Is due,
for al simply did my duty"
In closing his letter, Mr.. Ban says:
81 cannot express my gratitude In
words to those who have, against
great odds, remained ateadfast and
true to me, and have iabored SO
earnestly IN my behalf. And willis
my ambition to beGovernor ofMissouri
has not and viii not be gratified, thia
is a matter of but little consequence,
II the principles have advocated and
the party can succeed. In conclusion,
1 beg to assure my friends that my
time and services Ia the future are ct
their command. Ii viii not be too
far, cold or hot for me to respond to
their call.n
Mr.. Ball did not say whether he
would enter the campaign In behalf Of
the ticket to be nominated, but his
friends say that he will. He left the
city last night for home.
The retirement of Mr.. BAH leaves
the field clear for Mr. Dockery, there
being no other candidate for the
nomination for Governor. Mr.. Dock
cry was in the city yesterday, but
there was no conference between him
and Mr.. Ball, and tina lattsr's retire.
ment was q surprise to the ex-Con-
gresham. mir. Dockery also depart
cd for hisIhome at Gallatin last night.
This is the second withdrawal of :
candidate for q nomination within
week, the other being that of Colonel
John A. Knott, Of Hannibal, who re-
tired from the race for the nomina-
tionfor Secretary of State, leaving the
ield clear to hlsfriend and opponent,
Sam B. Cook.
Attorney General Grow having no
opposition for denomination, there
will be no contests for the three prin-
cipal Offices within the gift Of the
Democratic party.