The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-25
Sloan Gives Reasons
For Not STANDING
For Reflection
To the Citizens of Polk County:


legislature. | have been telling those
who have asked me. that | would not
be candidate for reelection to State
Senate, but as friends with whom
had not previously discussed matter,
continue to ask me ii am going to
be a candidate. some urging me to
enter race. deem it only fair to
myself. as we'll as to friends. to state
publicly. that will not be candid
ate for reelection. had intended
making this public announcement
some time ago, before anyone else so
far as | know had been suggested. SO
that no one could reason that my &C
ton had been in any way Influenced
by the possible candidacy Of others.
but friends asked me not to do it, 50
kept putting it off. No one can APP
preciate more than do, the many eX-
pressiOEs of confidence, and assur-
ances of support. in the event | would
stand for reelection. but really
have no taste whatever for public life.
A man who dabbles in politics. will
ne, essarily neglect his business. his
home, and church duties. If he has
church relations ,and every one
should have), and the political cam
paignins thard at bestl is severe
strain ON nerves. especially of one
already somewhat run down as have
been for years. more especially since
serving as member Board of Public
Works OF Lakeland a few years aco.
When for more than IA year, ! did
work of at least two men, keeping
up my own work as best | could. and
at the same time doing for city all
that one man could have tried to do,
plete breakdown. Since that time
have had to be careful not to tax
my nerves too heavily, and felt that
strain of campaign, together with
trying work of sessions of legislature
(Which is exceedingly heavy on one,
who appreciates fully the responsible
ties, and who tries to do their besD.
would be too much for me. At the
close past two sessions, of legislature.
have been on verge Of nervous
breakdown. Ii could mix play
along with work as some men do, but
have always been slave to whatever
work I was engaged in, and especially
when entrusted with interests of
others. Of course appreciate fully
the honor which a reelection would
have carried with 1t. and realize full
we'll that from a political standpoint
I have made a mistake by dropping
out. but after all political donors are
largely empty ones. have always felt
that for man who was honored by
the people with an election to office to
hold on until the impression was
naturally created that he had a mani.
for public position. was mistake
which often loses him. part ut least
of the credit, which might otherwise
be accorded him for possible good
service. | am perfectly willing as !
have stated to friends number OF
times recently, to stand aside and
give others ambitious to represent
county in Senate a show. While men
should be selected fer all offices,
with view solely to getting best
possible service and not with IA re-
spect to the political ambitions of any
man, yet we have plenty of good
men, and SO far as | am concerned.
am willing for every one $50 Tar as
is possible). who is ambitious to 60
to Senate, who is capable and who
would represent county fairly and
,ruditably, should have opportunity
of doing so. Several have urged that
my record during my term as Senator
clearly entities me to reelection as
an endorsement, but while this is
often urged in support of their can
didacy, by those who want to stay
in Office, and while greatly appreciate
ing the spirit which prompts the SD
gestion, yet have no claims against
the people. While tried earnestly to
&c my duty, as best could looking
after every interest entrusted to me-
to very best of my ability. giving
same careful attention to interests OF
those who had opposed me most
vigorously, that did to matters in
which my closest friends were IN
tcrested, yet the people owe me moth
ing except to Judge my work fairly.
and so far as | know this has been
&C nerally done. Should l ever o1er
for Office in future. would base my
candidacy on my ability to render
good service. and not on any claim