The log cabin Democrat., 1916-01-07
Mr.. M'RAF QUITS
GOVERNORS RACE
ACTION Is A SURPRISE
MAN DENOUNCES
PRESENT DAY POLITICAL
METHODS.

METHODS.
The biggest surprise of the present
campaign was sprung late yesterday
when Thomas C. McRae of Prescott
announced his withdrawal from the
race for governor, leaving Secretary
Of State Earle w. Hodges, DR.. C. H.
Brough and L. C. Smith as the re-
naming. candidates. Mr.. McRae's
withdrawal is the second within about
two weeks, former State Treasurer
John w. Crockett having quit the
race just before Christmas.
State politicians are said to be at
a loss to understand Mr.. McRae's
withdrawal, as he was apparently
getting his campaign we'll under way
and was aligning strong support
throughout the state. He gives as
reasons the condition of his health,
which will not permit him to make a
personal campaign, the expense of
making a campaign with literature
and advertising and the opposition of
an organized official and political
machine" which he claims has cal
ready accomplished a practical de-
struction of elections by the people"
Ali three of the remaining candi-
dates claim they will be benefited by
Mr.. McRae's withdrawal. His for
NAL statement is as foi;ows
ITO the Democratic Voters of Arkan-
saS:
In announcing my withdrawal from
the race for governor, | do so with
the firm belief that would be nomi-
mated by a good majority of you if
could meet and discuss with you the
necessity for retrenchment and re-
form in the administration of the
states affairs and then could get a
correct return upon your ballots.
The reasons that impel me to with
draw are these:
"First-Such a personal canvass as
is insisted upon by those of my
friends who believe in that method of
campaigning is, l fear, beyond my
strength. l would prefer this meth
cd, but the effect of my recent illness
suggests to me that l should not I'M
dertake it in midwinter.
"Second-The other method of get
ting my views before you is by letter
and addresses, published in PAM
phlets or in newspapers, or both, but
you cannot all be reached in this way,
and the other necessary expenses met
without exceeding the limit fixed by
the act of April 2, 1913. Five thous-
and dollars is as much as | am able
to spend, and l make no complaint of
this limit, but l believe in obeying
and enforcing all the laws, and if |
were financially able to exceed the
limit | would not violate my pledge
not to do so for the nomination. 1t
has been my desire to use the news
papers, but their rates are prohibitive
when considered in connection with
the legal limit upon expenditures.
"Third-My fight is in your behalf
1t is the unorganized people against
an organized official and political ma
NhiiiS Ciio1 iiao iOHS ChiSCCO anu HAS
already accomplished a practical de-
struction of elections by the people,
The increase of the selfish evil inhu-
ences in the hands of state officials,
who have the power to select and to
appoint election commissioners, in
connection with patronage, pardons
and printing, backed up by the party
machinery, have in the past embold-
ened and enabled them to repeatedly
defeat your will There is every in
dication that the bosses and ringsters
do not intend that l shall have an
honest election and fair count.
with heart full of gratitude to
those of you who have supported me
and an earnest desire that the credit
of the state may be restored, extrav-
agant expenditures stopped, honesty
and fidelity on the part of the Of
ficials practiced, honest elections pro-
vided for, the laws enforced and bet
ter public schools secured.
Il am, faithfully your fellow Dem
ocrat,
"Thomas C. McRae."