The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-02-11
Atkins win Not Run.

One of the political surprises came this morning when Mayor V. B. Atkins announced that he would not be a can | didate for reelection.
 1 Friends of Major Atkins announced him for the office a few days ago and | since the announcement was made 1t l was thought by his friends that he would be persuaded to make the race. l Mayor Atkins has been actively con- nected with the city government for seventeen years. He has held the of | flee of Mayor of the city for three con- secutive terms and has made the city one of the best executive officers that l has ever presided over its affairs In withdrawing from the race Mayor Atkins wrote the following letters:
 Selma, Ala. Feb. 10. 1908.
 Messrs. G. G. Vaughan and Others: After mature thought and delibera- ton. I have come to the conclusion that 1t is better for the people and for me personally. to withdraw from the race for Mayor. I hereto attach a letter to the Democratic voters, giv- Ing my position and reasons, which I trust you will fully appreciate, and will kindly withdraw my name as a candl- date for Mayor.
 T have the honor to remain,
 Yours very truly.
 ". B. Atxins.'' 6. To the Democratic Voters of Selma:
 "It is an honor of which any man would be proud. to be four times elect ed as Mayor of Selma. It is the home of my adoption, and every interest," social, financial and political that I have. is bound up in Selma. For thirty years it has been my home. What ever of success and merit I have, ob- tained is due to the favors that the nf lFNo Anr n4k@ Is the birthplace of all my children. 1t Is the birthplace of my religious faith, and it Is dear to me next to my own family and children.
 'pThe best friends that any man has ever had are my friends m Selma. and. to be elected the fourth time as Mayor would indeed and in truth be as balm or Giiead' to me; but there are other duties, which to any thinking man, are as dear as life itself. After mature and deliberate consideration, am forc- ed to deny myself the honor of running again. There are certain political com plications which may arise and togeth- CT with my own business affairs and the labors of the mayoralty would em- barrass me beyond measure. and I am advised by my doctor would be too much for me.
 For seventeen years I have served the people of Selma in city affairs with whatever ability have had. There have been tnaugurated certain public improvements which have been and are now dear to my soul, and which I be- lisve are now already accomplished or are on the eve of being accomplished.
 fIn spite of the prophecy that the doing away with the whiskey licenses in Selma would cripple it's financial af- fairs, l am thoroughly of the opinion that when this administration closes there will be surplus in the treasury and with a just and economical re- trenchment Selma can get along with out this whiskey license, and reach the goal of great prosperity. And it would be joyful to me on account of the love bear the people of Selma and in part return for the many honors they have conferred upon me that this could be done. And when the pro- position was first made to me, 1t was such dazzling honor that I was com pelled to give it the proper considera- ton. But after mature deliberation I feel that I can make the sacrifice no longer, and my duty to.my boys who are now young men and to the balance of my family and my friends, con strains me to the final conclusion that I must decline this honor, and in pur- suance of that end, I have requested those friends who announced me as a candidate to withdraw my name.
 Respectfully,
 70 kI~s. ga