Los Angeles herald., 1910-07-31
Club, San Francisco,

Democratic Club, San Francisco,
CAL.
Gentlemen-I have the pleasure Of
acknowledging receipt of q copy of
a resolution adopted by your club
on the 28th inst, which does me
the honor of suggesting my name as
the candidate of our party for u.
S. senator, and urges the Democrats
throughout the state to write my
name on the official ballot as such
candidate at the primary election.
I find myself unable to express
my sense of the very great honor
your club has done me by this
action, that comes as complete
surprise to me. Holding the posi-
ton of United States senator from
the state of California, and espe-
cially representing the Democratic
party in that capicity, would be an
honor calling for any mans highest
appreciation.
[ confess that I have never
thought seriously Of being a candi-
date for United States senator, for
the reason possibly that ] have long
since made up my mind to content
myself with the satisfaction which
a Democrat receives in trying to do
his duty to his party in its endeavor
to advance those ideas of govern
ment upon whose capitalization
into laws we all believe the welfare
Of our country depends.
VIEWS ARE UNCHANGED
Some time ago the secretary of
the state Democratic committee was
kind enough to suggest the advisa-
bility of my announcing myself as
a candidate for United States SEN
ator. My reply to him was that
while no man could appreciate more
highly than myself the compliment
involved in the suggestion, l felt
that under all the circumstances the
party might reap larger advantage
by making no selection for United
States senator at the coming pri-
maries; that it might be better to
leave the matter of the partys
choice for that position open until
after the election gave US an oppor-
tunity of knowing exactly the po-
litical complexion of the legislature.
1 can well imagine that a condition
might arise as the result OF the
coming elections, when the person
atty of a Democratic candidate for
United States senator would be
most important factor in the party's 8
ed States senator for our state.
Feeling that way, it has appeared
to me that the best interests of the
party would be served by refrain1ng
from making any Endorsement for
Tinted States senator at the COM
ing primaries to be held August 16.
While appreciating the action of
YOUR club more profoundly than
can express, 1 am afraid that 1 am
unable as a Democrat interested
above all things in the success or
our party to change my views mere
tofore expressed to Mr.. Murray
upon the inadvisability of our en-
deaVoring to make any selection or
a candidate for senator at the COM
ing primaries.
EAGER FOR PARTY VICTORY
Please extend to the members OF
your club who paid me the compll-
nent that l so highly value my
very profound thanks for the COM
pliment, and also say to them for
me that as q loyal Democrat, inter-
ested in the success of the party
because | am above all things inter
ested in the principles for when IL
stands, / care much more FOR the
election by the Democrats OF a
United states senator than I do for
my own election to that most hon
orable and responsible position.
And l feel that fairness to other
Democrats of the state who may
possibly cherish the worthy ambl-
ton of representing our party as
its United States senator VIII COM
pei me to add this:
1t is quite possible that the opln-
ions | have heretofore expressed as
to the inadvisability of any Demo-
crat announcing himself as can
didate for United Staes senator be-
fore the primaries has been the
means of inducing other members
of our party with senatorial &mbl-
tions to refrain from announcing
their candidacy This being the
case. in Justice to myself and to my
nosition in the matter, am COM
pelled to say that should any DEM
ocrats in the state adopt the sug-
gestion of your club and write my
name in the ticket, 1 would not
consider any legislator who might
desire to vote for any other Demo-
crat than myself for that position
bound by such action to vote for
me.
With best wishes for the success
both of the club and our party,
hee to remain very sincerely yours,
THOMAS p. GIBBON.
July 30, 1910
--e-S-e