Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1910-08-13
FRANKLIN MURPHY
TO Be CANDIDATE
FOR U. S. SENATOR
Tells John Kean He Does
Not Care What His
Opinion Is.
TO SEEK NOMINATION AT
REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES,
Reply to Murphy Letter Has
Not Been Made
Public.

II feel l should have my name
placed on the ballot, whether you do
or not" is the unequivocaI way In
which former Governor Franklin Muir
ply informs Senator John Kean and
the public at large that he viii seek
the Endorsement of the Republican
party for United States senator at the
September primaries, in accordance
with the law of 1907
The foregoing statement is contained
in reply to Senator Keans answer
to the Murphy letter of August Q. In
yiting Kean and David Baird to joir
witk himself in following the example
of former Governor Stokes and file pc
titions with the secretary OF State, thai
would result in giving the people ar
opportunity to declare which of the
candidates they preferred for United
States senator.
Senator Kean refused to make public
his reply to Mr.. Murphy and stated he
preferred to have the latter, If he chose
give the letter to the press. This the
former Governor and chairman of tn,
State Republican Committee decline.
to do for the present, because he hope.
that "on further reflection Senator
Kean may change his mind. The Muir
ply reply to the Kean letter is al
follows:
August 10. 1910.
My Dear Senator Kean:
regret you do not accept my
proposal and that you are of the
opinion that "a primary contest
would jeopardize the chances of
electipg a Republican governor and
Legislature" If I could believe 1t
possible such would be the result
no one more firmly than I would
refuse to enter such contest On
the contrary, I think by increased
interest in the campaign 1t would
make Republican victory more sure.
Does Not Agree.
do not agree with you as to the
uncertainty of the coming election.
We hear Democratic claims for sue
cess every time governor is TO 'bslA
chosen. The people of this State
know the Democratic party from
sad experience. II the Angel Gabriel
should accept the Democratic nomi-
nation for governor it would not
invite a sense OF security, for back
of every candidate is the great mass
of the party with demands that no
leader can wholly resist. The peo-
pie take the Republican party to J,
task and give it something of a
scare once in a while, but this is a
gentle Christening, not desertions
Have no doubt of the result of the
coming campaign. senator
1t was a Republican Legislature
that passed the law inviting candi-
dates for the United States Senate
to go to the primaries. / don't
approve the lazy. 1t should have
required more or less. But, If I am
any judge of public sentiment, the
people desire now. even more than
when the law was passed, an op- ,
portunity to express an opinion ON
the candidates for the Senate.
MY suggestion provides way,
and, 1 think, a fair way. 1t is no
reflection on your distinguished
service to the State and the nation
that, after wearing the senatorial
toga in so creditable manner for
eleven years, others should think
that particular garment becoming
TO their style of beauty.
OF course, don't know what you
mean by personal controversies"
Not. surely, between you and me. /
propose political contest. If you
join 1t and win pledge you my
own support and that of my ad-
herents to the success of the party
that you may receive your reward,
and you, I know, would not be less
generous.
I do not give your letter TO the
public because hope that further
reflection may cause you to change
your mind: If we have an open
contest shall fight you as hard as
1 know how, and l shall lead in the
cheers for you IL you win, but in
view of the pronounced desire OF
the public l feel 1 should have my
name placed on the ballot, whether
you do or not. And to say this is
the main purpose of this letter.
Sincerely yours,
FRANKLIN MURPHY.
Hon. John Kean, U. S. S.
Intimstess Fear.
The tenor of the reply indicates that
hean s reasons Tor refusing to
seek popular Endorsement Is based on
the fear that "a primary contest would
jeopardize the chances OF electing a
Governor and Legislature, y
with the admittedly formid-
able candidate the Democrats are ex-
pected to nominate.
After declaring that If he could share
that view, he, too, would refuse to
enter the contest. Mr.. Murphy. with a
fervid display of optimism as to the
future of the Republican party, says:
IF the Angel Gabriel should accept the
nomination for Governor 1t
would not invite a sense of security
That Senator Kean in his reply made
it appear that he regarded Mr.. Muir
phys first letter as ill-advised and one
that might never have been written,
were he originally consulted, is made
apparent by the reference to personal
which evokes the retort
from Mr.. Murphy that this is politi-
cal and not personal contest.
No reply has been received from
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