The Republican journal., 1905-11-02
WILLIAM F. RUNNElLS
Nominated for the Massachusetts Legisla-
ture from Second Essex District.

Nominated tor the MASSACHUSETTS LeglSla-
ture from Second Essex District.
Mention was made recently of the
nomination as representative by accla-
nation by the Republicans of the End
Essex district of William F. Runnells
of Newburyport, son of W. T. c. Run
nells, Esq, of Searsport. We now give
Mr.. Runnells' acceptance of the nomi-
nation, with sketch of the candidate
from the Newburyport Daily News:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
Conventions:
thank you for the honor you have
done me. do not feel today like max
ing any set speech. However, | will
talk to you little. 1t is just - years
since | have resided in this city, and II
of those wears in ward 6. Then was a
Young man and knew and cared nothing
much about Massachusetts politics eX-
cept that was more than q years old,
and could read the constitution and had
the right to vote.
During the time, however, when
Moody kimball was representative
he has frequently slandered me by cal
ling me politician, although i'll all my
life, | have never heretofore aspred to
hold any elective office in this Common
wealth. Since then have read in the
daily papers how this same gentleman
has captured nearly all the delegates in
the whole of Essex county for a very
important county office, an office which
involves great care, responsibility, and
that in the natural course of events he
will probably be the new county COM
missioner | am glad he has been so
~ IL inf 7
curious to know why, under all circum-
stances. he charged me with being
politician five years ago, when | am
now only in the kindergarten.
Nine years ago the present represen-
tative apportionment was made, and
soon after that time it was the turn
of this ward to nominate and elect
representative to the Great and Gener-
al Court of Massachusetts for the period
of two years.
The gentleman who presides at this
convention got on his fighting clothes,
brushed them carefully, and went after
that honor for those two years. AT that
time | had not the pleasure OF his ac-
quaintance.
| have always made it point to at
tend all caucuses, from principle, and |
think | have voted for somebody at
every primary except one which has
been held in the ward since my resi-
dence in it. At this particular caucus
to which | now refer there were three
contestants, including our worthy chair
man. | did not support him, did all |
could then do to nominate another man,
but we were licked and handsomely.
After the convention of that year his
opponents, good Republicans all, myself
included, gathered the scattered frag-
ments together and turned them in at
the ensuing election as votes in favor
of their conqueror. | am glad to stand
up here and say that while fought him
hard in the caucus, | supported him at
the elections on both occasions. He
served the district two years, and served
us we'll At that time, and afterwards,
when the honor of the office went sue
cessively to West Newbury, to Sails
bury and to Merrimac, | had not the
slightest idea in the world that when
the turn OF ward 6 came in the final
year of the 10 year apportlonment to
select a man again that the man select
ed would be myself
| will frankly tell you that for two
wears | have had ambitions, the same
kind of ambitions which have been held
by others i'll city. county and State mat
\
Well. Time makes changes. Nine years
is long time. | feel proud to be the
nominee of this convention. | feel
pleased and gratitied at the unanimous
nomination | nave this day received
from the Republican party OF this dis
trict: had no idea then that the chair
man of this convention which has be-
slowed this honor on me would be the
same gentleman whom | opposed so
hard nlne years ago, and that he, him
self, would be now the chairman of my
own ward delegation and pledged in the
primaries to my support. | feel pleased
at the friendships | have formed in
these nine years: | feel honOred that |
could have elected for me in ward 6
caucus a delegation of representative
citizens of the city, personal friends of
mine.
| say to you now that 1 shall use
every effort to serve my constituency
and the State with the same care and
fidelity which characterized the service
of Benjamin F. Stanley during those
two years.
| pledge my word to do and perform
the duties of this Office with the same
care and fidelity to the rights of others
which | have tried to exercise in my
daily business dealings with the people
OF this vicinity for the past u years.
| shall do my duty as | see it. l have
not as yet spent, and do not hereafter
intend to spend one single illegal dollar
for my election.
| lad intended to have asked all of
you gentlemen, at adjournment, to go
to my house, meet my family and par
take of my hospitality. Circumstances
have rendered this impossible. Hence
have arranged to have you as my
guests here and place you in charge of
Caterer Tibbetts, who | hope will do
full justice to this occasion and your
selves. Again l thank you for the
honor of this nomination, which l re-
gard as absolutely equivalent to my
election on the eth day of November.
The remarks of Mr.. Runnells were
applauded and then the convention adj
journed to partake of the hospitality Of
the candidate and to spend a social
hour.
William F. Runnels was born in
Searsport, Me-, Feb. IS, 1865. He stud
led law in the office of his father, VIM.
T. C. Runnells at Searsport and was
admitted to the bar in Waldo county,
Me, in 1887 Shortly afterwards he