New-York tribune., 1920-02-19
Not Candidate
For Presidency,
'McAdoo Says
Holds 1t Is imperative Duty
of Amy Man to Accept
Nomination if 1t Should
Come to Him Z Unsolicited
Favors Free Delegates
Would Like to See Conven-
ton Composed of Men
Bound TO No Candidate

William G. McAdoo, formerly Secre-
tary of the Treasury, yesterday def
nitcly announced that he is not cam
didate for the Presidency. Mayor Mil
Ter S. Bell of Milledgeville, Ga, sent
him telegram saying residents there
had placed his name on preferential
primary ballot for President. III reply
Mr.. McAdoo sent the following letter:
"Hon. Miller S. Bell, Milledgeville. Ga.
"Your telegram informing me that
the citizens of Milledgevlle have or
dered my name in the Democratic
primary of the State of Georgia for
President of the United States duly
received. am deeply moved by this
manifestation of the confidence of my
friends who live in the city of my boy
hood and in the state of my nativity.
1t is indeed an honor to be considered
by them worthy of such high station.
Il feel however, that | should can
didly state my position. am not
seeking the nomination and am re-
luctant to do anything that would
create the appearance of candidacy.
cannot help feeling that this is Pc
culiarly time when we should fight
fer principles and not for individuals.
1.-The momentOus years through
which we have just gone have brought
to the fore great human problems
which go to the very roots of our social
and economic life and insistently de-
mand settlement.
Tninstructed Delegates Favored
"1'he destiny of the human race will
,o .ltf taI btr
we do and by the wisdom we show dur
ing the next four years. Patriotism and
constructive leadership of the highest
order are necessary. and am convinced
that we are most likely to secure them
if the supreme consideration of the
national interest is not submerged in
contest of individual candidates. for
the Presidential Office. Therefore |
should like to see the next Democratic
National Convention composed of un
trammeled men and women, bound to
no particular candidate and allowed to
express their preferences freely through
the abolition OF the unit rule.
"While | realize that under the pri-
mary laws unnstructed delegates from
some states are impossible, neverthe-
less | think it highly desirable that
every effort should be made to send un-
instructed delegates from every state
where possible. Personally should be
delighted if the next national conven-
ttion might actually be great Democrat
ic conference, where the utmost free
dom of action should prevail and where
the motive Of high service alone should
control. If in such a convention plat
form is adopted and q candidate is Sc
lected representing the great construc-
tive, progressive and spiritual forces
of the day, the favorable opinion of the
country would be enlisted at the very
outset The issue would then be sharply
drawn between us and the forces Of
stand-patism and reaction, which are
already overreaching themselves and
claiming with presumptuous confidence
the victory in November next
Use Power for Best Service
Holding these views, you can read
lily understand why prefer not to be
entered in the Georgia primary and
why must beg my good friends to
withdraw my name. | cannot consist
emily enter the primary in any state
when it is my earnest conviction that
the delegates from every state should
go to the convention without instr'lc-
tions save to use their power and op-