The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-02
COL, HANDLEY NOT NOW A CANDIDATE May or May Not Make the
 Race in 1906 HE HAS POLITICAL IDEALS Says If He Should Ever Be Governor of Alabama He Would Initiate
 Administrations of Hous-
 ton and Sanford.
HE HAS POLITICAL IDEALS

Montgomery, December 1.-(Special.)- Col William A. Handley, the veteran democrat of Randolph county, has been in Montgomery for several days, and his presence here has caused renewed gossip as to the next gubernatorial race While this primary will not occur until 1906. there is never lacking at the capital some gossip and decided interest in the ques- tion as to who is to be next in the guber- material chair
 Colonel Handley's presence in Mont gomery causes talk on this line for the reas(l that he is recognized as one of the strong leaders in the democratic par ty, and many prominent men from all sections have sent him letters urging that he become candidate for the nom ination. Recently Colonel Handley's mail has been unusually large, caused princi- pally by encouraging letters from many prominent men.
 Colonel Handeys record in the legisla- ture as a wise and conservative leader is largely responsible for the position he now occupies in democratic circles. He made enviable records, especially in his advocacy of better public schools and more adequate support for the inf1rm and disabled confederate soldiers of the state. His voice was heard in many other de- bates equally important to the general public
 Colonel Handley has been in Montgom- cry as a character witness in the Taylor T-ammell murder case.
 Speaking of his probable candidacy for governor, Colonel Handley said:
 Colonel HandIey Talks. Several prominent men in the state have asked me or written to me urging me to be candidate for governor, and the press of the state has in many in- stances spoken of me in this connection. To all l make the same answer. At pres ent l am not candidate for governor Of Alabama I have no hesitency in making this statement emphatically. As to wheth- CT or not 1 shall be a candidate in 1906, this is another question. l may or l may not be. It has always been my hal in life not to worry too much about pub lie questions till the time is ready for their solution.
 "In my opinion, and I believe in the opinion of the majority of the citizens of this great state. the time is not ready for the agitation of this question. It is now almost three years before the election. One great benefit that is to be derived from the four year term of office is that the people may have some rest from political discussion. Furthermore, it is impossible for any one to foretell what changes may occur during this period. The candidacy of any man for any office extended over a period of three years would submit him to such a strain, both mental and physical, as to be iniur- 1 ious to him in numerous ways. Such cause would not be followed by any sound business man; and such a cause l cannot afford to follow.
 Impressed by Responsibility.
 "No one is more deeply impressed than I with the great responsibilities that the election to the governorship of this state l brings to a man. The enormous influence and the magnitude of the power vested in the governor make the office one which will bring honor to any citizen of the state. The salary paid the governor is good one, and yet compared with the honor it brings and the opportunities it affords for doing good it pales into insig- nificance, and would be in itself no in- ducement to me to enter the race. Many times greater to me than the salary would be the knowledge and assurance that my friends and fellow citizens deemed me worthy to fill this great office
 "If should ever be governor, my ambi- tion would be to serve all the people honestly and faithfully, without malice or prejudice. always on the side of fair dealing, and in this way to prove myself worthy of the confidence of my country men.
 'It would be my aspiration to initiate the administration of Governor George S. Houston and the high statesmanship of Governor William J. Sanford was my ideal of a mana true and fearless exec utive and most acceptable ruler Would that we had more men now in public office moulded after the same manner as this great statesman"