Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-12-07

Senator J. 3. Foraker made his
formal bow TO the country last even
ing as a candidate for the Repubh-
can Presidential nomination. by ac-
cepting the Endorsement rendered
him by the advisory and executive
committees OF the Ohio Republican
League OF Clubs at their meeting in
Columbus on November 20. He thus
sets himself up as rival OF Secrv-
tary OF War William II. Taft, for the
support OF his own State. and hence
forth intends 10 compete with him in
the quest for delegates 10 the nation
al convention.
The league also indorsed Mr.. For
aker for reelection 20 the Senate.
but he lays this Endorsement aside.
His rejection OF Il. however. is
couched In such phraseology that by
some politicians IL may not be con-
strued as absolutely irrevocable
Yet II is beyond question that he
has subordinated IL clearly and de-
finitely 70 his Presidential candidacy.
The Senator's announcement OF his
entry into the race for the Execu-
tive succession Is contained In a let
ter he mas sent TO Conrad J. Mat
tern, of Dayton, vice-president OF
the Republican League. The letter
in full follows:
SENATOR FoRAKER's LETTER.
United States Senate, Nov. 2S, OF.
Hon. Conrad J. Mattern. Vice Presi-
dent Ohio Republican League.
Dayton. Ohio.
Dear Sir: / write to acknowledge
the receipt Of your letter OF the 22d
instant with copy inclosed, as stated
of resolutions adopted by the advis-
ory and executive committees OF the
Ohio Republican League OF Clubs at
a joint meeting held at the Neil
House in Columbus, November 20.
denouncing the proposition that
should be eliminated" from public
life, and relegated TO private citi-
zenship because in the discharge of
my duties as a Senator l have been
unable in three instances to agree
with President Roosevelt, and pledg-
ing me their support as candidate
for reelection 20 be my own success
sor, and also declaring that I am
their choice as a candidate for the
Presidency.
dul AulOIucu ludl NueIc were
ninety-eight members of the com
mittee, out OF a total membership of
105 present in person or by proxy,
and that the resolutions were adopt
ed by a unanimous vote, and with
much enthusiasm.
The names and addresses OF those
present. as published in the news
papers, show that all sections and
counties OF the State were represent
ed. and that among these represen-
tatiyes are many who have for years
been well known to the whole State
as prominent leaders of the Repub-
lican party.
/ would not be insensible to such
a mark OF confidence and esteem IL
i could be, and ! could not be II I
would.
But / do not want to even appear
TO be a candidate for two Offices at
the same time, and therefore forego
the double honor proposed, and with
heartfelt appreciation accept the
support for the Presidential candi-
dacy which the committees have so
generously rendered.
Nevertheless, / want to say that
far beyond anything personal to- my
self, I am gratified by the action
taken because it is fat rebuke to
the suggestion that the Office of u
nited States Senator is TO be stripped
OF all the real honor attached to 1t
by making it's incumbent a mere a
gent to register the degrees of some
body else instead of the representa-
tive OF a State charged with the con-
stitutional duty OF legislating accord
ing to his best judgment for the
welfare OF a great nation, account
able to his constituency for his acts
and votes, but TO nobody else.
regard 1t of far greater import
ance to uphold and protect the dig
nifty and usefulness of the Senator
ial once than that any particular
man should be chosen to all 1t.
AS our fathers created II the plac,
is one OF the most important in the
government, and any man NIGH
well feel highly honored TO hold II
but IL 1t is to be degraded into .