Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1920-02-17
HARDIN SAYS HE
WON'T MAKE RACE
In Signed Statement, Declares
Himself Out of Congressional
Contest

1
nounced through the columns Of
the press and otherwise that he
would be a candidate again fol-
Congress in this, the 9Th district
Judge Charles A. Hardin, of Mer-
Ger county, has announced that he
will not make the race. He sets
forth his position and fully ano
frankly in signed statement tc
the people, which will be reac
with much interest over the dis
trict.
The elimination of Judge Har,
din thus leaves an open field anc
announcements are expected al
once; in fact, it is reported that
one prominent democrat will
make his formal announcement
this week. Among the most prom
inently mentioned" at present tc
make the race are Judge Ralph
Gilbert, of Shelbyville, Col. Frank
Ripy, of Lawrenceburg, Hon
VIM. H. Shanks, of Lincoln coun-
ty, Hon. Charles Montgomery, OF
Casey county; and now since
Judge Hardin has declared him
self out of the running, it is ru-
mored that his close friend, Hon
Joseph E. Robinson, of Garrard.
county, may become a candidate.
Judge Hardin's card in connec-
ton with his declination to make
the race again is in full as fol
lows:
In view of the prominence given my
name in connection with the coming
race for Congress in the Sth congress
sonal district of this state. L think Il
statement from me is due at this time
The substance of this statement may
be put into a few words. l am not
now and will not be u candidate fol
nomination at the coming congression-
al election in the Eighth District OF
kentucky by the democratic party oi
said district. That l have not sought
and am not seeking this nomination
as has for some time been well known
by my closest personal friends. How
ever, my reticence on this subject has
been the occasion of receiving pledges
in such numbers and assurances OF
such character as to lead me to believe
that | would have no serious opposi-
tion in securing the nomination which
in my judgment and the opinion OF ms
friends, would be equivalent to eiec-
ktion.
1 appreciate beyond the power OF
words to express, the attitude toward
me of many of the aspirants to this
high office, the courtesies shown and
the assurances given by them of q
clear track, their good will and theii
support and service in the campaign
and which service and support l coult
not recognize as other than able, eff
cient and free-hearted. These express
sions have given me a high sense OF
satisfaction and pleasure. 1 am under
no less obligation to the voters of this
congressional district who, in large
numbers, have pledged me their earn
est support and influence. If in these
things l failed to perceive the fine
quality of greatness in my friends apt
isympathizers, 1 should be unworthy Of
them.
| Some of my friends have insisted
upon my candidacy os a matter of self
vlndication. But the state election
which followed has fully vindicated me
and shown that any candidate woulc
| have Jared as L did at THAI time.
comparison of my vote with that of the
combined vote of all the democratic
candidates for governor in the Eight
congressional district, will show that
obtained larger vote than all of them
Besides all this, it is conceded that m!
/ defeat was not due to my personalit!
at all, and that any candidate undo
the same circumstances would hav,
Ifared as L did.
I Moreover, in my former race for thi
position, L made Woodrow Wilson ant
his policies the issue of the campaign
and. some of my friends have urge
| that l am the logical candidate to re
| deem the apparent, but not real, defea
! of that issue. That issue ,as L see il
lis not dependent upon the personalit,
of any candidate. Mr.. Wilson, tn
statesman, and his policies, the proc
of his statesmanship, Will be the issue
i or one of the issues. in the comm;
campaign, no matter who the candidat
is, and L entertain no reasonable doub
lof the result, freed, as this election Wi
be. from the odor of state politics, po
i liticaI back biting, selfish ambition:
and the blight of a primary. That tn
Eighth Congressional District has me
men who are clean, capable, fearless
men who are loyal and true to the ira
Editions of the party; men whose honol
whose integrity and whose truth ar
are beyond price; men of trained mind
land proved capacity, cannot be gain
lsaid. This is the kind of man demand
ed. and with such nominee the resul
!; in this district will be safe beyon
. doubt.
When 1 made the race before, it wa
y in vacation time. 1t was not thel
] necessary that 1 should resign the oi
fee. of Circuit Judge of the 18th Jud
} cial District But if l should become
7 candidate for Congress in the comm
/. election, it would be Imperative that
shoIld resign my present office.
, such event the vacancy would be fiji
!. Led by an appointee of the present II
publican governor. l am not willin
to sacrifice thus the interests of a den
ecratic constituency to whom | owe n
ipresent place of responsibilities.