The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-27
Mayor Jones Formally Declines to
Enter the Minneapolis May ,
orally Race.
Says the Method Is the Thing-His
Desires to Act Without
Restraint.
Also Urges His Wish to Serve His
Ward as Member of the
Common Council.

Mayor D. P Jones says it is 1.-The meth
cd not the man" that will bring about
clean administration for Minneapolis.
Upon that basis. and his desire to be en-
tirely unhampered in the administra tion
of the affairs of the city, as well as his
desire to serve the fifth ward in the com
mon council at the urgent request of his
ward constituents, he has formally de-
clined the request of the committee of
citizens who have crystalized public sem
timent into a request that he should re-
consider his former determination not to
enter the mayoraty race. Mr.. Jones put
his answer to the committee as follows
"A definite response is due to your COM
mittee and the public in reference to
your interview of this morning. when the
petitions Of citizens were formally pre-
sented to me- The great interest which
your committee and others, cooperating
with you. have manifested In the canvass
for signatures asking me to reconsider
my refusal to become a candidate for
mayor, and the enthusiasm and general
response from all classes of citizens and
irrespective Of party ties, have abundantly
convinced me. you stated. that there
was a sentiment in this community strong
enough to effect my nomination and prob
ably my election.
The enthusiasm and vigor in the
movement leaves no doubt In my own
kind Of administration of city affairs
which they think 1 could give. The per-
Bonal note is deeply appreciated, but the
great thing In this movement is the mani
fest interest on the part Of the public in
the method and not the man.; in
other words, this public expression shows
conclusively that clean and vigorous
Administration of the city government can
be maintained in this community.
After three days of most careful con-
federation Of the petitions and the rea-
bons assigned by your committee why I
should alter my decision Of Aug. 8, I am
fully convinced that my first decision
bhould remain as final. The reasons at
that time why / could not and ought not
TO be a candidate still remain and I be-
steve that I am fully justified in not wav-
ertng In this position. even If there were
not a possible point Of honor involved In
retiring from position taken In all sin
rerity and honesty. The change might
compromise others. If not myself.
/ Two Reasons for Declining.
sHAnlong many reasons which might be
i fered for not accepting the demand OF
The public to become a, candidate for the
office Of mayor, I shall speak of only two
First and following my former decla-
aation, desire to be absolutely independ-
ent and unembarrassed in the conduct OF
the mayors office until the first of Janu-
Rry. I have planned to carry out a
straight and uncompromising course dur
ing my short incumbency of the office
from which there should be no devia tior
and of which course 1 have ample reason
to believe the public approves. AS q
candidate for office, I could not give my
undivided attention to the business ir
hand, nor could be altogether free from
Embarrassment in conducting the duties
of the mayors office while standing as
candidate before the people and asking
for their votes. Unhampered by such can
!didacy there Is for me but one definite
purpose in view and to that I can now
bend every energy and devote my undi-
Sided attention and my full strength. The
opportunity to demonstrate that clean
honest and business-like administra tior
OF city affairs is approved and can be
fnaintained by public approval should no
be lost to this community and I do no
wish my personal attitude to impair the
Hest.
Duty to Fifth Ward.
1.-The second reason which has strongl,
affected me In this decision is my avowet
attitude towards the fifth ward and m,
constituents there. They have patientl,
and generously awaited the settlement O
4he 1nayoralty question with the defnit
understa nding that If I should not becom
D candidate for the office of mayor,
tion and election. The place was KEEP
open for me until almost the last day an
when my decision Of Aug. 9 on tn
mayoralty question was finally announced
my petition for the aldermanic nominat ito
was Immediately thereafter filed and b
,that act, I pledged myself to the fft
ward. No good opportunity was therefor
left for the republican voters of the fit
ward to bring forward in these last day
carefully selected candidate for tha
position Besides my attitude towards tn
fifth ward constituency In the present in
stance, l have for many years held yer
decided views regarding the necessity an
duty Of supporting and strengthening tn
common council Of the city. The boar
OF aldermen in Minneapolis should b
made up Of able reputable citizens wh
can fully represent property owners an
tax payers and when / entered the counc
some years ago, I did so believing that an
service Of value which 1 could offer to til
public could be best rendered in the legis
1ative branch Of the city government; an
now, If that service has been satisfactor,
still feet it is the most responsible an
important duty which l can perform an
in the line in which I am best fitted
render public service.
Strictly personal grounds for declinin
your request and apparent public deman
such as business, health and family res
sons form no place in this statement, as
believe the reasons above given main
govern my decision and are the reason
which will interest the public.
Thanking your committee, the petition
ers and all citizens for their general e.
pressions of approval and offers of SUI
port, l remain, -DaVid P. Jones'"