The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1918-04-24
BLAKESLEE MAY
BE CANDIDATE
FOR GOVERNOR
Depends Now Upon Length OF
His Services rendered the
Government.
CLOSER TO FARMERS THAN
AND MAN IN MISSISSIPPI
Answers Hundred Per Cent Pc
titi0n From Home Voters.

That II. K. Blakeslee would becom
a candidate for the governor of Mis-
sissippi is Indicated in a letter re
: ceived Tuesday morning from him b,
Editor J. l. Gillespie, of The Dali,
Commonwealth.
, However, there's a clause in thi!
probability, which prevents him, fol
the present at least. from hurting hi,
hat into the ring for gubernatoria
honors.
! The director general of the Missis
sippi Centennial Exposition left foI
Washington last Saturday, where he
was called to become associated with
the emergency farm labor division OF
the Public Reserve Thus, to render
this patriotic service, he has cast aside
all consideration to enter the race for
governor, for the present
The letter to the editor of The Daily
Commonwealth In part more precisely
points out the position of Mr.. Blakes-
lee as follows:
"The answer made petitioners from
my old home precinct in Benton coun-
| ty explains the situation. | would
highly appreciate me honor of serving
as governor Of my native state and
beliye that | could administer its af-
fairs SO that the legacy handed down
to my children would be cherished by
them, but at this time there are more
important matters demanding atten-
ton.
Il have been called and leave for
Washington tomorrow, (April 20,)
where | will be associated with the
emergency farm labor division of the
Public Service Reserve. | expect to
remain as long as | am needed and
give freely to my country the best
there is in me. IL this, or any other
assignment Of duty, terminates in
time ! will be free to consider the
gubernational pro sosition.'
/ Formerly Commissioner Of Agri-
culture Of Mississippi for many
years, the position he resigned to be-
come director general of the Centen-
nial Exposition, Mr. Blakeslee is a
popular man. He is closer to the
farmers and people Of the rural Sec
tions of Mississippi than probably any
other individual. This association he
experienced in his former capacity.
de Is well known; there is hardly a |
man in the state who does not know
III. E. Blakeslee" or who has not
heard good word spoken for him
during the past several years.
The following letter, a reply to the
petitioners of his home precinct voices
his position even more thoroughly:
March IL, 1918.
Mr.. R. b. McGaughy, Ashland, Miss.
Dear Bob:
Your kind letter Of Saturday en-
closing petition signed by practically
all of the voters of Maxys precinct
asking me to become candidate
for Governor at the next election and
their support and co-opera-
ion, was received this morning.
Whether am candidate for posi-
ion at the hands of the people again
,r not, / vii Treasure this petition
above any Of the many expressions of
confidence and good will that ! have
.ver received from the good citizens
have tried to faithfully serve.
Coming as it does from the friends
where | was born, raised and lived !
o manhood, and from SO many of
hose who were true and tried friends
f my Father and Mother during the
ark days of reconstruction, it is a
riceless document to me. | am hav-
ng this petition, together with news
aper notices of the Homecoming"
iven me BY these same good people ,
I Pine Grove Church on August, IL, |
916, neatly framed and will hand it
own to my children as a most val
able heritage. II
| regret that | am not in a position 5
D make definite reply to this ex- {
ression Of confidence by our old
eighbors and friends lust at this
ME. have rendered nv service to
1e President of the United States for !
Sc in any capacity to aid our country !
the present war. crisis. While /
m considerably past army age. ii j
now that there is something that /
an do. some service that 7 can nor
,rm, that will help the cause, | am
eeply impressed with the supreme
Importance of every man doing. not
My his "bit," but his level best, and