New-York tribune., 1920-01-26
.oolid &c Says
He w ont Seek
Nomination
Does Not Forbid Presenta-
ton Of Name at Chicago,
but He Will Not Fight
for Bay State Delegation
Greed for Power a Curse
Massachusetts Governor De-
clares He Will Not Let
Office Be Manipulated

BOSTON, Jan. % Governor Cool
ldge OF Massachusetts declared TO-
day that he was not and never had
been candidate for President. and
that he would not enter a contest for
the Massachusetts delegation to the
Republican National Convention. He
dld not say that he would oppose the
presentation Of his name at Chicago,
but was emphatic in his assertion that
he would not permit the imputaton
that he had used The office of Governor
TO promote his own interests through
the selection of delegates.
IN formal statement for the press
Governor Coolidge said that the curse
Of the present was ''the almost uni
versal grasping for power For him
self he was not insensible to the honor
sought for him by others, but the ef-
forts Of his friends did not contem-
plate contest for delegates in his
own state. lnasmuch as "somc Massa-
chusetts people, intended to make one,
the question arose whether he ought to
permit contest in his name. He an
swcred the question in the negative
TEXT Of the Governors Statement
The Governors statement follows:
The times require Of men charged
with public responsibility singlencss
Of purpose. The curse of the present
Is the almost universal grasping for
power in HIGH places and in low to the
tions. 1t is always well for men 10
walk humbly.
'The great office OF Governor of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts has
been twice conferred upon me. There
IS no higher position or honor in the
gift Of her people. There is only one
higher honor in the gift of the people of
the nation. For that Office my name has
been proposed by men whose judgment
entities their decisions to great re
speot, and their proposal has not been
unsupported by most respectable
public approval. For all this am
ton which words alone cannot express.
There must be acts to spond.
Il have meyer SAID would become
never accepted, unless by silence, eff
forts made by statesmen Of more than
national reputation to present my
name to the convention. ! have made
it plain | could not seek this office.
some weeks ago it was represented
to me that certain forces in Massachu
sctts desired to support me. no con-
test for delegates has ever been con-
tcmplated. | have had no purpose to
enter such contest. The probable out
come Of a contest need not be con-
siGered at all. 1t is enough TO know
that some Massachusetts people intend
- make one. The question is whether
| ought to permit a contest IN my name
for delegates in my own state.
Puts People Before Himself
Il nave taken no position from which
| need to withdraw. do not wish 20
desire to walk humbly and discharge
my obligations. My paramount obli-
cation is not to expose the GREAT Of
fec Of Governor but to guard and pro-
tect it. The people are entitled 10
know that their office is to be ud
ministered not for my benefit out for
their benefit, and that | am not placing
myself in any position where any
other objec: could be inferred. There
must be no imputation, however un-
founded, that | permit their Office 10
be used anywhere for manipulative
purposes. cannot consent to have
their office taken into any contest for
delegates in my own state. have not
been, and am not, q candidate for
/ Prcsi ident.
u do not pretend o be insensible to
the high honor that the mention of
my name has brought NE. The sup
port of the people has touched me.
For all this am not lacking IN
gratitude
"But the great fact remains that it
/ is Il time to counsel not with desire
but with duty My duty, clear, plain.
unequivoca, is to the people of
/ Massachusetts. TO Massachusetts. un-
afraid orderly, patriotic, American. in
/ the discharge Of every duty. an y
ample to the nation