The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-11
DR.. CANNON HAS NO
DESIRE TO HOLD OFFICE
Gives Out Statement Denying
That He Has Any Political
Aspirations.

DR.. James Cannon has given out
the following statement for publica-
ton:
In the Times Dispatch of Mopday
Feb. Z. there appeared a statement
concerning the race for governor in
1913. Among other persons is men,
toned the name of DIR. James Can
non. Jr. In discussing these men
and their purposes the reporter de-
clares: Mr.. Glass and Dr. Cannon
are understood to be watching things
The former has a way of doing just
as he pleases and he would be an
exceedingly formidable candidate.
Should Statewide prohibition not be
q fact By the campaign of 1913. II
lis expected that DIR. Cannon will be
In the race with strong political
Organization at his back. .
Concerning this report, ] have the
following statement to make:
:. The. ossce o. governor OF VIZ
g...a IS TIE highest po.tttca. honor
and responsibility IL the Common
wealth. ] fully appreciate the great
opportunities 1t affords. and the high
character and standing of the men
who have filled that position. also
fully realize that there 10 no reason,
constitutional or otherwise, why any
man, whom the people Of Virginia
may desire to serve them In that high
ONCE should not do SO, even though
he should be minister of the Cos
pei. and ! should make no adverse
criticism upon any minister. VINO
should respond to a call from the
people to serve them in that or any
other Office of the State.
2. Personally. however. / have NO
political aspirations. Since the day
that / decided that my life work was
in the ministry rather than In the
law, i have down to the present time
had no desire or purpose to enter
into political life In any other capa-
city than that of citizen doing
my utmost by vote and voice and pen
10 promote the best interests of the
people of Virginia, as they appeared
to me.
The work. which have been call
ed to do by voice of other workers,
has required me to enter somewhat
more prominently into the public life
of the State than ! anticipated or de-
sired. Education and temperance have
been the great issues before the peo-
ple of the State for the past few years,
and I have done absolutely everything
that I have had the TIME or have
known how to do In furtherance OF
those great interests. Both OF them
have been the subject Of much discus
don. and 70 accomplish permanent re-
suits Il has bean necessary to secure
the massage Of much legislation. IN
TIA explauattou and advocacy OF tae
same. I have been called TO speak very
or the platform and before
the committees Of the General Assem-
bly,. But I have appeared very rare
iy n an individual. but nearly al
ways a. q representative OF educa-
tional or temperance workers. who
have requested me to speak Tor them.
For such public work have no
APOLOGIES to make. On the contrary.
I rejoice to have been one OF the
voices raised In behalf of the Mann
law. the Byrd law. the High School
bill. the school examiners. large ap-
for schools. etc. But
sssert here and now with all the en-
phssts Of which arm capable that
none OF the public work In which !
have engaged has ever been actuated
In the slightest desire for any poiiti-
cal Office whatsoever, and the state
mert in tho Ttmes-DspatcA that "Dr.
Cannon II UQ00t8eo00 ~ 10 W4sAS444A6
things u not only absolutely tncor-
rect. but Il IL personally very dis
tasteful TO me. do not sAy that II
was 10 intended In this instance. but
I do say that, II In the future. any
man or newspaper makes such state
ments concerning me or my work. It
will be done with the purpose Of dam
aging my Influence al o worker for
moral reforms the aim being to dis
connt my labors by ascribtng to them
= desire to promote my political for
tunes-
II such statements are made again.
I warn the people of Virginia to give
them no credence. IT made again.
they will be made either by friends
OF the LIQUOR traffic, who desire to
damage my work as superintendent OF
the Antt-Saloon League OF Virginia, or
BY hostile newspapers. which will be
and financially interested
in the circulation Of such false re-
ports. ) -Regretting, the necessity for
such q statement. ] am,
Yours sincerely.
Jas. CANNON. JR.,
Of Ann-Saioon League
Of virginia.
Richmond. Va. Feb. .. 1910.