The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-05-21
WHEELER WRITES LETTER
WILL NOT BE A CANDIDATE TO
SUCCEED HIMSELF.
Tells His Alabama Constituents Why
He Resigned His Seat in the
Present Congress.

Washington. May 1i.-(Special.) -General
Wheeler Today prepared a letter To his
Alabama constituents announcing that ne
will not be a candidate for the congress
sionaI nomination this fall. Although no
had haretofroc made it plain that Nc
would not ne candidate for the snort
term. many of the people of his district
urged him TO become a candidate LOT 'ic
long term, giving him every assurance OF
nomsnagion; but the general has decided
that he Will not. He gives his reasons III
the following letter:
Washington May Ii-To The Constitution:
I have hesitatei to address You because
could not find words to FUZZY express my Heatt :
felt gratitude for the kind ana generous sup
mort vou have given me- When the insurrec-
ton broke out In Luzon, February t. 1855
was holding "A commission In the volunteer
army and feeling that ought 10 perform fniii-
tary duty until the meeting OF CONGRESS-
promptly applied FOR active duty IN me Fhlilp-
pines with the understanding that was 10 %
back by the time congress convened. IN 80 -
tober II became evident that TO leave IN time
70 reach Washington by December 4th wouIl
nccessitate my leaving my coininanu ouriI'l,
operations. while ! saw clearly that delay
OF two or three weeks would enable me 10
remain with my command while IL was per
forming It's part I'm capturing or disperslng
the insurgent government, thus AIDING IN the
r,racticable termination 81 the war j could
then have entered congress before the appoint
mcnt OF the committees anu before the coIi-
menccment q legislation. .
November
was generally expressed opinion that such
action on my part would prevent the possibility
Of my seat in congress being teopardized
series OF unlocked for events delayed my
reaching Washington, and you have already
been Informed Of the circumstances Which
surrounded me and made II seem that JUS
tice TO my constituents. 20 whom was m
debted beyond possibility ~ .tr't3l made IL
necessary Tor mo To- rt..Lu ft} 'at mat they
could Immediately elect Successor am doing
everything in my power 20 attend 90 the wants
OF my constituents before the committees and
the departments and with the ali or our
senators and representatives. have done, ana
will continue 20 do. all I regarding leg
islation IN which the eighth district Is IN
terested but ! realize the people of the dis
trict are entitled TO an active representative
upon the floor Of the house.
The many letters I have received urging mo
70 reconsider my action and become n candi-
date for reelection have touched me very
deeply Nothing could give me more pleasure
than TO continue the pleasant relation az
representative which has so long existed with
people among whom all my mature years have
been spent and with whom during the remain
der Of my days I hope II VIII be my good
fortune to BE- associated. but feel can
-reuder some service TO them. even though not
in congress ana 81 viii always give mo
pleasure 10 devote myself 10 their best inter
ests.
Regretting more than ! can express the cir
curnstances which now prevent my becoming
a candidate 10 represent you. ana again eX-
pressing 10 the people Of northern Alabama my
appreciation and assuring them that their IN
terest and welfare. will always be OF the deep
est concern 10 me- ] am. gratefully,
JOSEPH WHEELER.