Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-05-16
MIR Cation Withiraws.

Of vour PAPER to say to my fellow demo-
Gratis of Virginia, that when Iauthorized
the announcement of my candidacy for
the Office of lieutenant governor, did
40 in good faith and with the intention
of remaining in the contest until the re-
suit of the democratic primary was an
nounced. When, however, in January
last the name of the Hon. j. Taylor
Ellyson was mentioned in connection
with that office, and was advised that
his candidacy would be announced IN
the issue of the Times. Dispatch OF sun
day, January IS, recognizing his claims
upon the democratic party because OF
long and faithful services as its chair
man, on the morning of January l4th
| wrote aud delivered to you, and au-
thorized its publication, Immediately
upon Mr.. Ellyson's announcement, the
following letter:
To the Editor of the Alexandria Gazette.
| Dear Sir: Having been advised that the
Hon. / TAYLOR Eilyson, chairman Of the
| State democratic executive committee, mas
| Announced his intention to be candidate be-
fore the democratic primary for nomination
IN the Office of Lieutenant Governor OF Nlr-
ginia. and recognizing the fact that Mr.. ELY
son by reason of his long, faithful and ELL
cient services as the chairman OF the demo
cratic party, has pre-eminent claims 10 reeos-
milton by the democrats OF virginia: peg
b announce 10 my fellow democrats ana
| friends that will not oppose Mr.. Eiiysoh'
| and. SO far as am concerned, cheenully ae-
cord TO him an open field. beg 70 thank my
friends throughout the State for their many
| Aatterine assurances of sympathy and support
| in nv aspiration TO fill the office oil lsieuten
ant Governor, and TO say to them, that my
| withdrawal from the contest is actuated by
no other motive than my recognition OF the
pre-eminent claims Of Mr.. Ell yson upon the
| democratic party for the honor which he
seeks. Very respectfully,
'>''' JAMES R. CATION.
On the same day went to Richmond
aud took with zoe copies Of this letter
for publication in the daily papers OF
that city, should he announce his can
didacy. The announcement OF Mr..
Ellyson was not forthcoming as expected;
but, on the contrary, few days later he
authorized the publication of the state.
ment that he had not been and would
not be a candidate for the Office OF lieu
tenant governor. This announcement
was generally accepted as final, and
realizing had other highly respectable
opposition for the honor sought, be-
gan at once vigorous canvass OF the
State BY correspondence and otherwise
which brought me hattering assurances
of support from every city and county IN
the State and which were followed by
perfecting, in a majority of the cities
and counties, of an organization in the
interest of my candidacy. After two
months or more had elapsed Mr. Ellyson
reconsdered his former decision and an
nounced that he would be candidate
before the democratic primary for nomi-
nation to the office of lieutenant govern
or This announcement came not only
as surprise, but was attended with con-
siderable embarrassment to me because OF
nv recognition of Mr. Ellyson's distin-
onished services to the democratic party
and of my disposition to accord to him
the honor he desires. | fell, however,
under strong obligations to the many
friends throughout the State who had
not only pledged me their support, but
who had for some time been actively at
work in my behalf to remain in the race
and could not see how in justice to them,
or with credit to myself, could then
withdraw from the contest, and in good
faith announced my intention to remain
in the campaign to the end. Ia reach
ing this conclusion | was not prompted
by NV ambition TO secure the honor TO
which | aspired, nor was it reached In
disregard Of the distinguished services OF
Mr.. Ellyson to the democratic party
but. on the contrary, | was then, aud
have ever been, ready to sacrifice per
sonal ambition for the good of the
democratic party, and to give recog-
milton and honor to her faithful SER
wants, and in so announcing my inten-
ton to remain in the contest, | was
actuated alone by a sense OF fealty to
nv friends throughout the State. Since
then, however, / have, by correspon-
dence and conferences with my friends IN
different sections of the State, become
convinced that it is the desire of a major
ity at least of the democrats of Virgins
TO honor Mr.. Ellyson with the Office tC
which he aspires as an expression o
their appreciation of his distinguished
services, and that many OF my friends
who have faithfully stood by me, and arr
still willing to stand by me, also feel tina
Mr.. Ellyson is entitled to this recognl
ton by the democratic party, therefore
have concluded to withdraw from tn
field, and now beg to announce the fac
to my friends and fellow-democrats
, Virginia. beg to express my profound
appreciation of the cordial sympathy anc
support | have received from friend
throughout the State and to assure them
and each and everyone of them. tina
I they will always have warm place i
my heart and that shall ever remal
, their most obedient servant whether 1
private or public life.
= Very respectfully,
: JAMES r. CATION.