Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-15
WILSON ALLOWS
USE OF HIS NAME
Declaration of Candidacy for Re
Election Made in Letter to
Ohio Secretary Of State.
ACTION CLARIFIES SITUATION
Expected to Bring Into Open
Campaign Being Made in His
Favor Throughout Country.

WASHINGTON, February 1i,--prest-
dent Wilson consented to-day formally
for the first time for tho use OF his
name as n presidential candidate in the
coming campaign. AT the same time.
lie declared lac was entirely unwilling
to enter into any contest" for rcnom-
ina.ion.
This definition of the Presidents at
titudc. in line with the plans of his
political associates. is expected 10 bring
into the open the campaign being made
In his favor throughout the country.
Mr.. Wilson'S decla ration was made in
a letter 10 tho Ohio Secretary OF state.
who had written that candidates for
delegates from that state TO the ma
tional convention must signify their
choices for President by February %.
and that no presidential candidates
could bc named in that connection
without their consent.
In several other States III which such
requirements are imposed. Mr.. Wilson'S
name already has been placed on rri-
mary ballots. and his friends generally
have taken it for granted that he would
he candidate if convinced thcr" was
any considerable popular demand for it,.
LETTER Is IN ANSWER
TO FORMAL. NOTIFICATION
The President was formally notified
of the requirements of the law last
week, and to-day he wrote Charles q.
Hildcbrant. Secretary OF State OF Ohio.
as follows:
81 am inclosing to YOU a letter the
NF ;nl, Il ,,.,ly ~,
, quite obvious. Friends in Ohio have
called my attention to section 1854 OF
the General Code OF Ohio as amended
in 1914 with regard TO primary elcc-
tions, and have requested that indi-
cate nay willingness TO have my name
used.
II. accordingly. take the liberty OF
sending you the incioscd letter as
formal permission under the statute"
The letter the President incloscd was
rs follows:
While I am entirely unwilling to
enter into any contest for the pres-
F! Dental nomination OF the Democratic
F., party. I am willing to permit the use
| Of my name. that the Democrats in
. Ohio may make known their preference
in regard to that nomination.
In order, therefore. 10 satisfy tho
/ technical requirements of the statutes
| OF the State Of Ohio, l hereby consent
| to the use OF my name as a candidate
! for the presidency by any candidate
! who seeks to be elected n delegate to
| tho National Democratic Convention
which is to assemble in June next"
! CANDIDATE: ONLY If
DEMOCRATS DESIRE II
! The President takes the position that
/ the voters will have to determine
whether he will lake the race for the
presidency in 1917 as the Democratic
| candidate. In Il letter written to ~
! Mitchell Palmer before his inaugura-
| ton. Mr.. Wilson made il plain that
! he would only he n candidate again
il the Democratic voters desired H.
! The National Democratic Committee
! has prepared all the campaign material
| with the idea that he would be the
! party candidate.
The formal announcement to-day Is
, expected BY Democratic leaders &c
clarity the political situation through
| ont the country. Supporters OF Tho
President. they said. now would be able
! TO work for him more openly.