The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-28
Final Word on GOvernorShip Is Said and Democrats
 Are All At Sea
MANY CANDIDATES ARE
 BEFORE CONVENTION
Mayor Gaynor's Letter to CreeIman, Declining to He Candidate. Puts New Aspect Upon the Dem-
 0cratic Situation

12-inch armor piercing shell had come crashing down through the roof of the Hotel Seneca there would not have been more oonsternation among the democrats. on the floor of the lobby tonight than when the first news of Mayor Gaynor's letter to James Creelman burst among them. The mayors final word declin- ing to be candidate in terms so unmis takeable that they were no longer to be l misinterpreted, changed the whole face . of the political map in the twnkling of an eye.
 Previously the tone of the town had been hestant and cautious. Uncom- mitted delegates and leaders had been wary of putting themselves down in black and white.
 'I have no candidates and no opinions Charles F. Murphy, leader of Tammany | Hall, had said
 "Gaynor Is strong, but the convention will hesitate to commit itself to cand- date who refuses to declare himself,'' had been the substance of an interview ith State Chairman John A. Dix.
 John H. McCoey of Kings county, sue cessor to the late Senator Patrick Me- Carren, had been openly for Gaynor,
 
 been awaiting the outcome of dinner given tonight by Thomas w. Finucane, a close friend of former State Chairman William J. Connors, to Messrs. Murphy, Dix, Connors,, Norman D. Mack and the leaders.
 When MT. Murphy returned from the dinner he was asked If in his judgment the mayors letter did not definitely elim- mate Gaynor from further consideration as candidate.
 .It would appear so. wouldn't it?' was the answer.
 Was this letter discussed in any way at the dinner you have just attended?"
 MT. Murphy said it was not discussed then he corrected himself to say that it was talked of but that no detailed com ,ment had been made,
 .But what's your opinion of the let ter? MT. Murphy?"
 T have formed no opinion. We (mean- ing Tammany) have no candidate. We have come here to find out what the state wants and we shall not know until the delegates arrive"
 State Chairman Nix withheld his com ment on the Gaynor letter until n:30 O clock when he gave out the follow ing statement:
 i'The announcement of the contents of this (Creelman) letter merely rciterates the statement made by the mayor that
  New York city and naturally we admire him for his holding to his honest con victions, even thou gh some people might regret his failure to become candidate for a higher offise.
 "It would seem that his announcement that he would not accept the nomination, if he were nominated, merely places the convention in the position of considering one less of the possible candidates of the opposition"
 The elimination of Gaynor leaves these candidates in the field: Representative William Sulzer, Thomas c. Osborne, Jus tice Gerard of the state supreme court, Representatives James s. Havens Ed ward M. Sheppard, John A. Bensel of New York City and Martin H. Glynn of Albany, former state comptroller
 Letter From GaynOr
 New York, September 27.-James Creel- man, New York made public today let ter from Mayor Gaynor MT Creelman decided on this step because he became convinced today that nothing but this action would prevent MT. Gaynor's nomi- nation by the democratic state conven- ton. The letter follows:
 "St. James, September 26 1910. Dear MT. Creelman:
 '.I am this day writing letter to Chairman Dix stating that I am not a candidate for nomination for governor and refuse to hecome such. I do this to remove all doubt on the subject which may have arisen by reason of irresponsi ble statements which I am informed are being circulated. No utterance of mine has put the matter in doubt.
 ''Some have said to me that the con- vention may nominate me- although I kam not candidate. It seems to me that 1t might appear vain or egotistical for me to assume in my letter tn MT. Dix that that extraordinary thing might happen I therefore write this supplemental letter to you to take to Rochester and show there so as to prevent my nomination if 1t should appear to be imminent
 Make it plain that If nominated l would decline to accept. I could not abandon to their fate the splendid men whom I have appointed to office, and who are working so hard for good gov ernment. nor could I abandon the people of the city of New York after so short a service. You may make this letter public in advance of going to Rochester If, in your judgment, you think the situation calle for it But do not do so unless it be plainly necessary Every honest man will understand me. Sincerely yours.
 wv. J. GAYNOR.
 "James Creelman, Esq.,