The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1935-05-02
DOUCHTON DECLINES MANY URGENT
REQUESTS TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR
Friends Confident that the Veteran
Congressman Could Win in Race
for States High Office
FEELS HIS DUTY IS IN HOUSE

AlISH SAdVlng Deen urged Dy num-
dreds of friends throughout the state
to leave Washington for Raleigh, and
having been been personally urged by
President Roosevelt to remain in the
important position as chairman of the
tax and revenue committee in the ma
tional house Of representatives, the
ninth district congressman, Hon. r.
L. Doughton, decided definitely Mon
day night that he would not be candi-
date for the governorship of North
Carolina next year.
Mr.. Donghton's friends are conf
dent that if he had "chosen to run"
he would have been unquestionably
elected to the states highest office.
The farming element in the state
would jump at a chance to vote for
a man who is farmer himself, and
the labor vote of the state has al
ready pledged itself to him. It has
been long time since North Carolina
voters have been given anybody to
vote for except lawyers, and man
of Mr.. Doughton's attachments and
background would have undoubtedly
run we'll.
No Easy Decision
1t was, therefore, no easy decision
to make. Mr.. Doughton, at the last
moment, concluded that he would rc-
main at his present post out of de-
ference to the wishes of the Presi-
dent, and out of respect for judgment
of personal friends and advisers. Mr..
Doughton, who is II, has been a
member of Congress "a years.
That the decision of Mr.. Doughton
was no easy one is clearly indicated
by the subjoined statement which he
handed to the press:
"After mature consideration on my
part, and consultation with the high
est administration leaders. have de-
cided not to become candidate for
governor of North Carolina. My posi-
ton as chairman of the ways and
means committee makes it necessary
for me to consider other duties rather
than my own inclinations.
Reached Reluctantly
81 have reached this decision re-
luctantly. For the past several
months so many people in North
Carolina have urged me to become a
candidate for governor that their in
sistence has become pressure which
seemed impossible to decline. hard
ly need say, however, that my deci-
sion not to make the race is no evil
dence of the lack of interest in the
welfare of my stated have merely
been convinced that my best field of
service at the present time, if I am
to remain in public life, is with the
Congress and for the nation.
"There is no way for me to express
adequately the deep appreciation I
feel to those thousands of friends and
fellow citizens of North Carolina who
have evidenced their confidence in me
by wanting me as their governor.
am profoundly grateful for their gen.
erous expressions and deeply sensible
of the trust they would place in me-"
Leaves Field Open
While members of the North Caro-
lima colony were very glad to hear
of the announcement of Mr.. Dough-
ton, it occasioned no little surprise,
since a number of persons had taken
it for granted he would make the
race. Some said it now left the CUB
ernatorial field wide open. Others
think the state is likely to get another
surprise or two before matters settle
down, as they have their doubts on
the point of whether former Repre-
sentative Clyde R. Hoey, of Shelby,
will announce for governor. They say
he certainly will. not do so in the
present confused state of the public
mind, that only the capitalization of
sentiment behind his candidacy, in a
way that would be obvious to all,
would interest him.