The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-09-07
NOT A CANDIDATE
Mr.R.T.G rayDoesn'tWant
Senarorship---His Tick
cts Sent Out Without
His knowledge.

During the last week much interest
has been aroused throughout the
county by the distribution of a num-
Der of tickets for the Senatorshlp Oh
Wake county bearing the name OF MI
r. T. Gray, of Raleigh.
Early in the summer, Mr. Gray
name was mentioned as propaple
candidate and several votes were cast
for him as Senator in precinct meet
ings However, his candidacy was
never announced and it was generally
understood that he was not in the race.
When the tickets bearing his name
were gotten out, however, it was
thought in some quarters that he had
changed his mind and was preparing
to wage an active campaign.
1t would seem, however, from the
card set out below, that Mr.. Gray is
positively not a candidate and that
his name has been used without au-
thOrity by enthusiastic friends Some
of these, who have been seen, state
that they knew that Mr.. Gray was not
in the race, but that they propose to
vote for him nevertheless; and that,
whether he is nominated or not, they
intend to see that he secures Il fat
tering complimentary vote. In his
card Mr.. Gray reiterates that he is not
a candidate and does not desire the
honor, but expresses himself as deep
ly appreciatiVe of the determination
expressed by his many friends to vote
for him "regardless."
Follows Mr.. Gray's card:
To the Editor: Following the pub
LEGATION of the kind action of one of
the precinct primaries i'm June in
nominating me as a candidate for the
State Senate, so many of my friends
in Raleigh and various other town
ships of the county approached me
personally and by letter and urged
me to be a candidate that |, for a
few days, entertained an idea. of yield
ing to their solicitations. Upon calm
and thoughtful consideration of the
matter, however, | concluded that !
could not afford to break the habit of
life time and seek political office,
especially when Il would involve a
business sacrifice. and therefore, have
since stated positively without reSer-
vation and sincerely, that | am not
a candidate and do not desire the
nomination. Notwithstanding this
fact, some friends without my knowl-
edge authority or consent. have
caused the ticket to be printed and
distributed, bearing my name, and
have named me for a position through
the public press.
OF course. | deeply appreciate such
a manifestation of confidence and
friendship on the part Of my friends,
but ! wish. i'm the face of all this. to
say to the Democratic voters of the
county that | am not seeking the
nomination and do not desire it,
| have never sought a political
office and have had nothing to do. with
politics except to take that interest
in it which all good citizens should
feel, and TO advance the interests of
my friends by working zealouslY in
their behalf If | had some friend to
favor or enemy to punish some per-
sonal scheme or enterprise to foster
or defeat and were willing to proSti-
tute n public office to that end; or, If
| desired to get within a sphere of
influence" for other and higher politi-
cal office or if ! had jim view some
definite reform that ] might be able
to further. | might desire and seek
the nomination.: but L have none or
these inducements.
In these days few, if any, get what
they do not Seek-eSpecially in poll
! ties, and therefore. / do not anticipate
| that any considerable number of bal
| lots, certainly not a sufficient number
! to nominate me, will be cast at the
| primary on Saturday next If there
| should be, | shall be greatly surprised;
| and while it would be ungracious. I'M
| to refuse nomination thus bestowed.
| | reiterate that | have not sought,
| and am not seeking, directly or in
| directly, and do not desire the nomi-
| nation.
In view Of the fact that tickets have
| been distributed without my knoWl-
| edge, authority or consent, as stated,
| and that Sc many have declared their
| intention to vote for me and so many
| others have asked me whether 1 am
a candidate, | deem il proper to make
this public statement of my position.
"R. r. GRAY