Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-13
FOLK RET|RES
FROM RACE FOR
N0M|N ALTON
Former Missouri Governor
Agrees to Clark's Offer OF
Divided Delegation; Asks
Friends to Help Speaker.

St. Louis. Feb. 10.-Former Gov
ernor Joseph w. Folk retired from the
race for Endorsement in Missouri 1or
the democratic presidential nom1na.
ton today in agreeing to a proposal
made by Speaker Champ Clark. Speak
er Clark wanted Mr.. Folk to agree 10
a divided delegation. Mr.. FOLK did
this and at the same time released
all Of his friends from giving him
their support.
Mr.. Folk authorized the following
statement:
Il have read-Mr Clark's statement
with pleasure, and sincerely appreci-
ate the spirit manifested tnerein.i
heartily concur in the sentiments tnat
personal ambition should be suoorol-
mated to the interest Of our party IN
Missouri, and now that Mr.. Clark mas
expressed a willingness to have~1nls
delegation divided between him ana
myself, as suggested recently by MT.
Bryan, shall now request my friends
to make no further effort In my benalr:
: II believe, from reports received
from other states, that Mr.. Clark, ow-
ing to his prominent position IN Wasn.
ington at this time and his long and
honorable service there, has perhaps
better chances for the nomination than
any other Missourian and shall there
fore release all claims may have on
the delegation and request my friends
to Join with me in giving Mr. Clark
the united support Of Missouri IN this
contest"
Mr.. Clark's statement as received by
Gov. Folk follows:
Especially DESTROYS Of bringing the
democracy Of Missouri together, and
to avoid as far as possible, any acr1m.
ony in the state, have, after consulta-
ton with numerous friends, and on DUE
deliberation determined to agree to
and accept the suggestion made by Mr..
Bryan to divide the Missouri delega-
ton to the national convention between
Governor Folk and myself; provided al
ways of course, that the democrats OF
this state are in the main for one or
the other Of us.
II am especially anxious that there
should be harmony and cooperation
among the democrats Of Missouri.
Whether the Joplin convention would
be for me or Governor Folk is ques-
ton whieh>it is unnecessary and which
1t would be bootless for me to dis
cuss now. It's sufficient to say that
in the interest Of party harmony in
state, have determined to say that l
am willing to accept the suggestion
made for a division of the state dele
cation, and hope my friends through
out the state will heartily agree to
this suggestion and cooperate with me
in carrying it out"
The agreement reached today by
Speaker Clark and former Governor
Folk was first proposed by William
Jennings Bryan while he was here
recently. Mr.. Folk was willing to
agree to a divided delegation at the
state convention but Speaker Clark's
local manager refused Bryan's sugges.
tion.
The matter was recently put up to
Mr.. Clark at Washington and he tele-
graphed Mr.. Folk today. A converse.
ton by telephone shortly before noon
between the two followed. Mr.. Folk
then made public his announcement.
Lon Sanders, campaign manager for
Mr.. Folk, after the statements were
given out, said:
"This practically means Mr.. Folks
withdrawal from the presidential
race"