The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-03
Interesting Development
in Race for Mayor.
MANLY STATEMENT
TO THE PUBLIC
- - III
Former Candidate Had No De-
sire to be Mayor, But Yield
ed Under Pressure.
FRANKLY ADMITS HE
VOTED FOR M'KlNLEY
Thanks His Friends for Support
and Says as Private Citizen
He Will Contribute to the
City's Welfare-Captain
Wise May Make an
Old-Time Run.
Thanks His Friends for Support

\)lo. LtIIllS IllAs
Mr.. James r. Gordon, who soma ton
days ago. with great reluctance yielded
to the pressure of his friends to become
a candidate for the Democratic nomlna-
ton for Mayor, last night issued the
following statement, retiring from the
race and giving his reasons therefor:
TO the Publlc--I have no personal rea- n
sons for desiring to be Mayor OF Rich
mond. My position all along has been
4 passive. told all my friends who
approached me on the subject that
III realized that personally, the office
4 would involve, much labor, annoyance
and criticism for me. but that u did Y
not think 1t, right for any citizen to \
evade any public duty. Therefore, 8if
any considerable number OF my fell
low citizens wished me to make the
race 1 would do SO. ard II a major
ity expressed at the polls In the
Democratic primaries their wish for u
my services as Mayor 4 would be-
glad to serve and would appreciate
the honor done me-. never had the
remotes t idea of thrusting myself or 4
my services on the people Of Rich
mond In fact, the announcement Of
my candidacy was somewhat prema-i y
ture, but IT was followed by 50 many
kind expressions and tenders of sup.
port that allowed 1t to stand.
Now read In the newspapers that
- j.. 4 A., n
against mo on the ground that saw
fiji to vote for Mr.. Mckinley for Presl-
dent. I did. My impression is that 1t
was In 1896, ard that in 1000 voted
for Bryan, under protest, because 8
pledged myself to support all the party
candidates., when. at the request or
citizens Of my: ward j stood for alder
man. never made the slightest con-
cealment of my opinions. and supposed
everybody who was interested knew
OF It, am confronted. however, by
the criticism that those OF US who wish
a change in the city's administration
would have better chance for success
If represented by some gentleman
whose political record is more "regu-
lar and acceptable to the people than
mine.
I do not know how widespread this
may ne, OuI C<1IluONi4 So ny sS''Aa
consent TO be In the position, In ths
view Of any of my fellow-citizens. OF
obstructinge those who wish this
change to be made. Therefore, beg
leave to announce my unqualified and
final withdrawal from the mayoralty
election. and to say that 1t Is with
real pleasure that yield my place
with the hope that some other gentle
man will represent my position and
nolicies in our municipal affairs.
suuarIng mora nearly to the demands
of nv fellow-cltizens for regularity.
would be ungrateful II neglect
ed 10 express here my earnest gratl-
tudc to the hundreds OF my telloW-
citizens who have so klndly otIered
their services and given their efforts
in my behalf. They may teel that
thev have my most earnest gratitude
and that their kindness to mo has
mad, me more earnest than ever IN
my affection for our good old cltyt
ard my purpose to spare no ettort, N
nv capacity as private citizen, to
nrnmoto her advancement and the
welfare OF all our people.
Respectfully,
II JAMES r. GORDON.
Manly Statement.
The statement of Mr.. Gordon, glvln
his, reasons at length for retiring fror
the race, Is frank and manly and !
highly characteristic Of this popular an
highly esteemed Citizen II is gracefu
and manly utterance. and Just such a
one as might have been expected troN
a man of Mr.. Gordon's exemplary cnaF
acter and delicate feelings,
The long and short of 1t Is that VIII
his condidacy for Mayor had been wnrmt
received and was being given loyal sup
port all over the city, he declined 10 70
main in the field under the fantes' criti
cism which would in any way tend q
hamper his desire and that OF those be
hind him for inaugurating more v'sorou
and progressive municipal policies IN IN
various departments OF government
Captain Wise May Run,
There was persistent rumor about ths
streets last night that former Congress
man George d, Wise would enter 'ht
race for Mayor IN a short While, but
Cnptnin Wise could not be seen to Verify
tina rumor. 1t Is believed by many how
ever, that he will run and that his for
NAL announcement will be made before
to- morrow night.
Captain Wise Is too we'll known here
to need word OF Introduction 70 ms
Richmond public, The people OF Inc
capital city have always delighted e
honor him. and he has seldoa made vair
appeals for their support.
He served the district for fourteen years
IN the Congress OF the United States
with rare ability and distinction and
when he laid down that honsr he was
chairman Of the Committee on Interstate
Commerce, one n9 the most Important
OF all the House committees
Brilliant Record.
Prior to his entrance into Congress
Captain Wise was for many years Gom'