Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-10-07
TONNSEND'S SPEECH
Charles ElrOy Townsend Is Now a
Senatorial Candidate.
JAyON H9NORs CONGRESSMAN
Six thousand Jaxon County Voters Said to
Have Signed Petition Presented Sept. q.


Hon. c. E. Townsend has many
friends in Gratiot county and
throughout the eleventh congressional
district. who will be pleased to read
his speech of acceptance. when
presented at Jaxon Tuesday evening,
September 81, with petition signed
by 6. 600 Jaxon county voters, request
ing him to stand for the US. senator
ship to succeed Hon. Julius G.
Burrows. We are indebted. to the
Jsxon Citizen Press for his address
which follows:
Mr.. President and Friends:
To me this is the most happy oc-
casion. 1t is unusual for an organiza-
tion so busv as the Chamber of Com
merce of this city to take an active
interest in the personal welfare of one
who for six years has been greatly
honored by the people of his congress
sional district, but | imagine it is
somewhat inspired by the thought that
the possibility of United States
senator from this city is worth some
consideration from an advertising
standpoint / am bound to believe,
however, from what know of the
influences which gave birth to this
meeting. that / am here surrounded
by friends who have faith in me. and
who believe that have. to the extent
of my abiltv, striven to serve them in
the past, and if continued in public
service will strive to do my duty in
the future as 1t is given to me to see
that duty
Neither this district nor the state
of Michigan owes me any additional
honor, for l have already had my
share. and hence it is that / am
deeply affected by your kind words
and by this splendid manifestation of
your esteem and confidence.
To the thousands of citizens who
have petitioned me to become a can
didate for the exalted position of
United States senator at the primaries
in 1910, l am profoundly grateful.
| have no doubt that some of my
enthusiastic friends gave the
original inspiration for these petit
tions, vet the apparent Willingness with
which men affixed their names. as
have been informed by scores of gentle
men. leads me TO believe that the
petitions are the expressions of the
sincere desire of voters for me to enter
the primaries next year. And so be-
lieving and after mature delibera-
ton / saw to the petitioners and to
YOU gentlemen, that | accept the in
vitation and with the help of my
friends here and througout the state of
Michigan / shall make the best canvass
| can for the office of United States
senator. l feel that it is proper for me
to saw TO YOU that from somewhat
extended correspondence covering near
lv every county In the state, and from
personal contact with manv men in
several counties of the state. feel
warranted in entertaining high hopes
of success.
Nv ambition to reach the senate is
of little importance-in itself. But re-
aliZation of my ambition means men,
bershlp in the upper branch of con-
gress and that implies.not only honor
L,,t
be enjoyed by me and nv friends
hut the responsibility of the position
imposes service to the state and nation
and the question of how that serv ice
shall be performed. is. | submit
of Infinitely greater importance
than simply the personal effect upon
me and nv friends.
| have had six years experience as
a Congressman, ana To the record
must appeal as the only assurance of
what Will be done in that future
make no claim to superior ability. but
| have reasonable degree of Industry
and energy which would he dedicated
without reservation and unbiased by
previous condition of servitude to the
public welfare
The senate is the greatest delibera-
tive body in the world. Opportunity
is here given for the consideration of
ali matters before it. The house is
the nopular branch but owing to the
size Cf its membership and its partisan
nature legislation can only Se enacted
unfer rules of cloture which shut off
amendments and stihe thorough
legislative consideration From the
yer, beginning the senate has contained
some of the strongest and best men of
the nation, aid from the verv nature
continued on page g.