The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1916-02-03

Missouri Supreme Judge A Letter
TO Democrats Outlines
Position.

draveS OF the Supreme Court de
clared that he will not be 4 candi
: date for the Democratic nomina
. ton for Governor. He cannot af
ford at this time, he says, to maxi
the sacrifice that would be in
volved if he entered the contes
for the gubernatorial nomination
Judge Graves has been urgel
for many months by Influential
party leaders to become candi
date for Governor, and he has Civ.
en- the matter much consideration
His entire life, he says, has beer
! devoted to the law, and all the Of.
fices he has held has been in the
line of his profession, and he in
Inmates that he cannot bring him
self to relinquish his place on the
bench for one that is purely polit-
zeal, even though it is worthy the
ambition of any man to be the
Chief Executive of Missouri.
His letter follows:
"For nearly a year many prom
inent Democrats throughout the
State, either by letter or personal
interview, have asked me to per-
NIT my name to be used in the
next primary as candidate for
Governor upon the Democratic
ticket. Many have gone so far as
to insist that it was party neces-
sity.
eff, on this proposition, I had
been fully convinced, my present
answer might have been different.
| feel certain that any Democrat
of proper gubernatorial caliber, if
nominated, can be elected at the
next election.
~ hardly feel that I should fail
to give these gentlemen my rea-
sons for the conclusion / have
reached. This is the occasion for
the present statement, which |
had intended to make sooner. but
circumstances prevented.
"My whole life has been devot-
ed to the law. When in the prac-
tice I had no side line. When /
have held office the office has
been one along the line Of my pro-
fession, and ! am naturally loath
to surrender at this time the am.
billions Of youth, young manhood
and more mature manhood for a |
mere political office.
"To the man winding up a LIES
tions and who has reached that
position in life to afford if, the po-
sitionvf Goveraor of great State
like Missouri is very alluring. 1t
is the highest Office within the
gift of the good citizens of the
State. 1t is an office worthy of
the ambition of any man, if his in
.linations run in that direction
md he can afford it. AS for me,
ny aspirations have been along
,ther lines, and / do not feel that
It this time, in justice to myself,
hat I can afford to change. ,
'sTo the man winding up a life s
areer and whose abilities qualify ,
i'm for the office, there are but
ew offices more to be desired :
han that of Governor of this great :
tate. However, I do not feel that :
can can afford to IN Ike the ssaeFi flee
t this time. ] am deeply grateful
D the hundreds Of Democrats who
ave urged me to seriously consid-
r the matter, and it has been :
trough their urging that I have
it as long as l have, but =
feel that | should speak now. =
.fter due deliberation I do not :;
,el that / could afford to change 4
lie whole course Of my life at this !.
me. With thanks to those who "
ave been SO earnest in this mat q
If, feel that should now say .
cannot further consider the :
nestion.' q
There are four candidates for >
le Democratic nomination for
overnor in jefferson City, and (
sfinite news Of the declination of !.
ldge Graves to enter the race !,
as received by each with more or :,
IS manifestation of interest. =
Would Not Have Run Against 8
Graves. !.
Secretary Of State Cornelius :.
bach, whose candidacy for the :,
lbernatorial, nomination has =
'en announced, in commenting .
| Judge Graves statement said =
For some time ] have antici- y y
ted Judge Graves formal decli- = !:
milton TO enter the gubernatorial =
ntest. lam from his psrt Of theI q 4
tie. HID be been Z candidate, / y