Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 180, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1919 — HAYS DECLINES TO MAKE RACE [ARTICLE]

HAYS DECLINES TO MAKE RACE

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CHAIRMAN WILL NOT BE IN RACE FOR GOVERNORSHIP. Will H. Hays, Indiana, republican national chairman, and, by the way, just about itihe best little chairman that the Republican party nas ever had, in a letter to County Chairman George H. McLain has the following to say in declining to make the race for the Indiana governorship: Indianapolis, Ind., Thursday, July 31, 1919. Mr. G. H. McLain, Rensselaer, Ind. My Dear Mr. McLain: I appreciate your letter most sincerely. It is very difficult for me <to express the gratitude I feel for the assurances that have come to me relative Ito the governorship. The friendship and confidence that these assurances prove, mean more to me than anything else. When the precinct committeemen, the county chairmen, the district chairmen, the senators, the congressmen, the governor, the executive and advisory committeemen, the republican editors and all of you who always take a real interest in the party’s welfare are actually practically unanimous in urging this, it moves me very, very deeply, of course, and I shall never forget it. I most earnestly wish it were possible for me to do it, but I simply cannot further consider doing so. The work in connection with the ■ niatodnal chairmanship is daily be- j coming so absolutely all absorbing and its importance vital, that I cannot think of anything else. It was thought iby many of my friends that I could do both, but this national'wotk is becoming so tremendous, and the urging that I continue ( by those who are carrying the bur-, den everywhere in that work is so earnest and insistent that it is very | clear to me new that it will be absolutely impossible in the dosing months of next campaign to do both jobs in -the way you would want me to do them. I know that I could

not give the one hundred per cent efficiency in initiative and execution due both positions if I had the other on my mind. Believing this as I db, my duty is clear. I must do one or the other. There is no doubt about a complete republican victory in both Indiana and the nation and it is simply a question for me to decide where I can do the largest good Ito that end and where my duty lies. The more I study the matter the more sure I am I must continue where I am until this job is Completely finished with the greatest national republican victory we ’ have ever had, regardless of my own great desire to stay jight here. Therefore, I cannot be a candidate for governor and I think I should announce this decision right aiway. I am going to do this at the republican editorial meeting next Friday and before that I want to send you this word of deepest gratitude and affection. There are many things to be done in Indiana for the state’s development. Though I cannot take now I quite as active a part personally in putting ideas into, execution I am certainly going to help, for here my heart is first always, and I want to keep in closest touch' with you. Let me hear from you frequently ■ as matters develop. With assurances of very warmest friendship always, Sincerely yours, WILL H. HAYS.