The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-27
Mayor Jones Formally Declines to
Enter the Minneapolis May p
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.


clean administration for Minneapolis.
Upon that basis. and his desire to be en-
tirely unhampered in the administration
of the affairs of the city, we'll 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 SEN
timent into a request that he should re-
consider his former determination not to
enter the mayOralty race. Mr. Jones put
his answer to the committee as follows
"A definite response is due to your COM
rittee 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. as you stated that there
was 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
mind that our citizens approve of the
kind of administration of city affairs
which they think l could give. The per-
sonal note is deeply appreciated, but the
great thing In this movement is the mani
fest interest the part of the public in
the method" and not the man. in
other words, this public expression shows
conclusively that a 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
kons assigned by your committee why I
HfpnY11 oft for oicf0 Of A11c q T
fully convinced that my first decision
khould remain as final. The reasons at
that time why I could not and ought not
to be candidate still remain and I be-
aieve that am fully justified in not way
bring in this position, even If there were
retiring from position taken In all sin
cerity and honesty. The change might
compromise others. If not myself.
Two Reasons for Declining.
stAmong many reasons which might be
I ffered for not aocepting the demand of
the public to become a. candidate for the
bffice Of mayor. shall speak of only two
First, and following my former decla-
Sation, 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 uncompromi Using course dur
from which there should be no deviation
and of which course 1 have ample reason
TO believe the public approves. AS a
candidate for office, I could not give my
undivided attention to the business in
hand, nor could I be altogether free from
Embarrassment in conducting the duties
'of the mayors office while standing as a
candidate before the people and asking
aor their votes. Unhampered by such can
dfdacy there Is for me but one definite
purpose In view and to that I can now
bend every energy and devote my undi-
Nided attention and my full strength. The
opportunity to demonstrate that clean,
honest and busness-like admnistra ton
OF city affairs is approved and can be
maintained by public approval should not
be lost to this community and 1 do not
wish my personal attitude to impair the
test.
Duty to Fifth Ward.
1.-The second reason which has strongly
affected me in this decision is my avowed
attitude towards the fifth ward and my
constituents there. They have patiently
and generously awaited the settlement of
the mayoralty question with the definite
understanding that If I should not become
D. candidate for the office of mayor,
would stand for the aldermanic renomina-
tion and election. The place was kept
open for me until almost the last day and
p~HelI lily ueClSlOl Ol aug . on Ine
mayoralty question finally announced
my petition for the aldermanic nominal tion
was Immediately thereafter filed and by
that act, I pledged myself to the fifth
ward. No good opportunity was therefore
left for the republican voters of the fifth
ward to bring forward in these last days
= carefully selected candidate for that
position Besides my attitude towards the
fifth ward constituency In the present in
stance, l have for many years held very
decided views regarding the necessity anC
duty OF supporting and strengthening the
common council Of the city. The boarC
of aldermen in Minneapolis should be
made up Of able reputable citizens who
can fully represent property owners anC
tax payers and when I entered the counci
some years ago, did so believing that any
service OF value which / could offer to the
public could be best rendered in the legis
lative branch Of the city government; ant
now, If that service has been satisfactory
still feet it is the most responsible an(
important duty which l can perform an(
in the line in which I am best fitted tt
render public service.
strictly personal grounds for DECLINING
your request and apparent public demand
such as business, health and family rea
sons form no place in this statement as
believe the reasons above given mainl,
govern my decision and are the reason
which will interest the public.
Thanking your committee the petition
ers and all citizens for their general ex
pressons of approval and offers of sup
port, remain, David P. JONES'"