The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-04
Congressman From Tenth Dis
trict Formally Announces
His Candidacy.
SENDS LETTER TO CHAIRMAN.
Declares That Selection Should
Be Left to the Sober and Un-
trammeled Judgment of
the State Legislators.

Congressman Richard Bartholdt yester-
day announced his candidacy for the
United States Senate.
He did It coyly by stating that it was
an honorable ambition he shared with a
vast majority OF the members of the
House Of Representatives. and that re-
cent precedents had regarded It as a
logical advancement.
The announcement was made in q letter
to Doctor Samuel J. Will. chairman, and
Judge G. A Wurdeman. secretary Of the
Tenth District Congressional Committee.
The committee met Friday and sent to
Bartholdt long letter. asking that he
define his position. The Tenth District
Congressman was fguratively patted on
the back by the committee with recital
Of the many good things he had done in
Congress and an assurance OF the high
esteem in which he was held by the Re-
publican electors Of Missouri
Bartholdt's tep!y is as follows:
BA fHoLDTs REPLY.
Doctor Samuel J. VIII. Chairman. and Judge
G. A. wurdeman. Acting Secretary, OF the Tenth
District Congressional Committee: Dear Friends
Your valued favor addressed to me on behalf
Of the Tenth District Congressional Committee
and in which you ask an expression from me
whether. In certain contingencies, would be
willing TO stand as a candidate for the United
States Senate" is Just received.
Please accept, and convey TO all the ether
members o; the committee. my gratitude and
sincere appreciation for the generous action
taken by them and fer the kind sentiments
contained IN your letter. To I'LL the exalted
position of United States Senator Is an honor
able ambition which. frankly stated. share
with n. vas: majority of the members CT the
House of Representatives.
Nearly all the Senators elected from the sew
erai States during the last four years were pro
moted from the lower to the upper house of
Congress- evidently because such promotion was
regarded as q logical advancement. The Re
publican members OF the next General Assem-
bly, Of Missouri have these precedents. as well
NY Owl record. before them. and, therefore,
I deem It unnecessary to make a formal an
uouncernent Of any senatorial aspirations may
have.
In fact. feel tina. this whole matter should
be left TO the sober and untrammeled judg-
ment Of our State Legislators. and not Be de-
termined by organized agitation in favor Of
this or that candidate II there .s a case to
which the old saying tina. the office should seek
the man and not the man the office Is peculiar
ly applicable. It Is to the honorable position of
United States Senator. Ny conduct will be
guided by these conscientious, believing this
course to be most conducive to the require
ments OF ethics and the continued harmony and
ascerdency o. the Republican party in Mis-
souri,.
Again thanking you for this renewed evil
dence OF your confidence and friendship. I
am, yours very truly.
RICHARD BARTHoLDr.
Judge Wurdeman said last night that a
meeting of the committee would be held
some time within the next ten days to
consider Congressman Bartholdt's reply
and to take some action on It.