The sun., 1919-08-02
HAYS DECLINES TO
RUN FOR GOVERNOR
Bluntly States He VIII Not
Desert Duty in Coming
Presidential Fight.
HAS FAITH IN HIS PARTY
National Chairman Was As
sured Of Victory Had He
Consented to Run.
Special Despatch 10 TIA. Sun

Special Despatch TO THn Sun.
BRooKvnE, Ind, Aug. 1T am COM
mitted to definite undertaking and /
shall finish that job" with these blunt
and purposeful words VIII II. Hays.
chairman OF the Republican National
Committee, to-day thrust aside the Re-
publican nomination for Governor Of In
diana, which many of the party leaders
have been trying to force upon him.
Chairman Hays was speaking at the
midsummer meeting of the Indiana Re-
publican Editorial Association, which for
many yeare has been the place where
matters of policy in the party have been
discussed and political booms started and
ended 1t Is always attended by Repub-
lican State officials, members Of the State
committee and other prominent leaders.
1t was for that reason that Chairman
Hays chose this occasion to put an end
to all opportunities that he accept the
nomination for Governor in 1920. He ex-
planned that he had his thoughts CEN
tired on the building up Of the party ma
tionally and the election of a Republican
President In 1920. His friends have de-
clared that no could be elected without
for Governor, but in order that there
could not by any possible chance be any
thing personal to distract his attention
from the national campaign he decided to
put aside any desire for personal prefer
ment
Statement. Shows Faith.
In his declaration, which follows.
Chairman Hays showed his deep faith In
the success of the Republican party both
nationally and in Indiana in 1920 and
his devotion to the work of the national
organization:
Chairman Hays's statement declining
to ask the Governorship nomination fol-
lows in part:
IT am very sensible of the privilege
incident to the opportunity for service
and distinguished honor in the Gov
ornorshlp of Indiana, but I cannot. how
ever. further consider being a candidate.
/ am committed to a definite undertake
Ing and shall finish that Job. The
work In connection with the Republican
national craftsmanship is daily becoming
SO all-absorbing and the Importance Of
the successful outcome so vital that
there / must do that which it is given
me to do and must do 1t to the hi,t.
at has been thought by many of my
friends that / could do both, but
know that 1t is impossible to give the
100 per cent. in initiative and execution
due each position IL have the other
on my mind.
believing this as I do. then my
course is clear. I must do the one or
the other. There is no doubt about a
complete Republican victory in Indi-
ana and the nation and II Is simply for
me to decide where I may be able to
do the largest good and where my
duty lies. This believe Is in the wori,
which I have in hand in aiding In so far
as is in my power to bring the complete
Republican national victory so absolute
ly essential to the country's welfare
Therefore, shall not be a candidate for
Governor"
Served Apprenticeship.
After serving his political apprentice
ship. Mr.. Hays for three terms was 8
district chairman in the Republican or
ganization. He became chairman of Tho
State Central Committee in 1914 and wal
reelected In 1915. In the latter year
James p. Goodrich was elected Chic
Executive of the State. The Constitution
provides a Governor may serve only on'
term and the friends OF Mr. Hays al
early in 1916 had begun to speak OF hin
as the candidate of the party, in 1920
Since then he became chairman OF thu
National Committee. That however, dc
not prevent his friends from going aheaC
with plans to place him In the race
| Newspapers In all parts of the Stat
have come out for him and it is said h
has received thousands OF letters urging
| him to run.
To his declarations that he could no
consider the idea because it would in
terfere with the work of the Nationa
Committee the leaders have assured hin
| that all they would ask of him would
be to make a single speech. But mem
bers of the National Committee, who's
advice he sought on the subject, be
! lieyed as he did that to be candidate
himself would tend to impair his use
| fulness as head of the national organi
| zation.
| After he put himself out of considera
ton for 1920 to-day his friends at ono
placed him on the slate for 1924. He !
only 80 years old and can afford to wal,
they say.
| Although 1t was known that his owl
| inclinations were against II and tina
members OF the National Committee ha,
urged him to chloroform his boom, hi
announcement to-day came as a sur
prise.
Warren T. McCray OF Kentland |
now being mentioned as a possible can
didate to succeed Gov. Goodrich. Edga
D. Bush, the present Lieutenant Govern
or. who has been on the outs with Gov
Goodrich, already has declared that h
will enter the primaries for the highe
Office.
ARRESTED ON EVE OF
VOYAGE TO GERMANY