The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-02-24
CHR|ST|ANS0N
WILL NOT RUN FOR
COMMITTEEMAN
Does Not Believe His Candi-
dacy For That Position
Would Help Roosevelt
WANTS TO SERVE IN THE RAKS
RANK, NOT As POLITICIAN
VIII Serve on Delegation II Elected
And VIII Vote the Will of the Peo.
pie Irrespective of His Own Opin.
ions or Preferences.

A. NJ. christianson Of Towner will
not be candidate for national COM
mitteeman of the epublican party for
this state. making his position clear
In q statement which he has issued.
He was nominated by the Roosevelt
Tuesday. and at that time declined to
make the race, but the gathering was
so insistent upon 1t that he took the
matter under consideration. His de-
cision to stand by his original de-
claration that he cannot make the
race has resulted.
Mr.. Christtanson's statement fol-
lows:
After careful deliberation, am
still compelled to adhere to my orig
inal position 60 far as the candidacy
for national committeeman is con-
cerned. am fully conscious of the
great honor conferred upon me by the
endorsement given by the Roosevelt
mass meeting-because. all malicious
reports to the contrary. notwithstand-
ing. believe that 1t was the most
remarkable. the most unselfish, and
most truly democratic political assem-
bly, ever gathered in the state-and,
If felt that the success of the Roose-
velt movement could in any manner
be injured by my failure to become
candidate. or that any other con-
dition exists which made it my duty,
would accept the endorsement and
make the fight regardless of my per-
sonal incltnations. But I am unable
to see any condition making it an inn
perattve duty for me to accept.
The meeting was called primarily
to launch the campaign for Theodore
Roosevelt In North Dakota, and as an
incident thereto, to endorse suitable
candidates for delegates to the nation
oil convention. and presidential cleo
tors. The call, as ! understood 1t at
least, did not refer to the selection Of
q candidate for national committee
man. and while doubtless It was en-
ttrely proper for the mass meeting to
express Its preference. still / do not
believe that any injury can result, or
any one be mtsled, by my declination
especially In view Of the fact that
refused TO accept at the time the
reasons fully stated at that time, I
must still decline to be q candidate
for the position.
II am not, and do not aspire to be,
politician. and my only desire is an
opportunity to serve in the ranks, and
tnere intend to continue to serve
(for the present at least) and advo-
cato such measures and support such
men. regardless Of label. as in my
judgment will best promote the inter-
ests of my state and country, and
procure for the people, to the fullest
extent, their sovereign right to gov-
ern themselves, without the interfer-
ence of bosses or self-constituted die
tators, whether they be denominated
staIwarts or progressives. or designat-
ed by any other label. And in the
advocacy of men and measures. NV
opinions and activities are not for
sale or barter It was in this spirit
that ] attended the Roosevelt mass
meeting. and the same spirit seemed
to animate every other participant in
that meeting.
I'm my opinion, the greatest ques-
ton now confronting the Republican
North Dakota. is the selection of its
presidential candidate for the coming
election. firmly believe that the best
interests Of the party and the country
demand the denomination and re-elec-
ton Of the man. who at the end of
seven years of service as the nations
chief executive had set standard so
high that the criticism of his success
eor has been based almost entirely
upon whether or not he has adhered
to and carried out the policies then
inaugurated. And firmly believe
that can be Of greater service in this
cause, and best perform my duty, as
! see II, by not becoming a candidate
for national committeeman.
1T is true. was also endorsed as
q candidate for delegate to the ma
tional convention. but as a delegate
chosen under our presidential prefer
ence primary law is mere instru.
ment to record the will of the people
as expressed at the primaries, ac-
cept this endorsement, and IL chosen.
will vote for and use every honest eff.
fort to procure the nomination Of the
presidential candidate who shall re-
ceive the endorsement of the people,
regardless Of whether such candidate
is my personal preference or not. In
this capacity. I unwilling to serve
but I cannot and will not be a candi.
date for national committeeman, NV
decision on this point is final.
"A. NJ. Christianson,"