Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1914-02-19
Congressman Burke
Did Not Seek Office

s3 ~ >~-- s--a..-- sg8ai4
Fierre. Feb. 18. Congressman G. H.
Burke makes the following statement
as to his position in regard the pres
ent campaign:
ITO the Registered Republican Vot.
ers of the State: When i announced
my acceptance Of the nomination for
United States senator, made by the
Eso-called minority republican proposal
committee, on January 5, 4 said that
at a later date would probably Issue
a formal statement.
'tIt is well known that did not
seek the nomination, and that ! was
not a candidate. 1t was only at the
last moment, when iInportuned by
practically the entire membership OF
the minority proposal committee by
wire tbeing at Washington at the
time), accepted the nomination.
In my opinion, candidates for high
Office should be drafted, rather than
to force themselves upon the elector-
ate by resorting to personal com
paign of extravaganza, often misrep-
resentation, falsehood and abuse
IF the people would discourage
self-promoted candidates the tenden-
cy would be to supplant politicians
with statesmen and true representa-
tive government would be. strengthen
ed and more firmly established
Primary campaigns should be con-
Quoted along lines of decency, person
alities should be avoided as much as
possible. Factional differences and
feelings should be suppressed, so as
not to disrupt the party,in order that
after the primary election is over all
can unite in supporting tie sticket
nominated. Z. 4.
So far as 1 am personally con
cerned. shall not indulge in cam
paign of billingsgate and abuse. i
shall abide by the result of the pri
mary, submitting my candidacy upon
my record, nstYing conf ldence in the
intelligence and good Judgment of the
voters of South Dakota and believing
them capable of making a choice of a
candidate for the United States sem
ate,
1t was with that thought that on
January "a, j proposed to Senator
Crawford that we return to Washing
ton and attend to our official duties,
leaving it to the voters to choose be-
tween us and calling attention to our.
long public service and our we'll
known records. later urged him to
accept my suggestion and regret. that
he did not do so.
Il have read what purports to be a
speech made by Senator Crawford at
Sioux Falls on the 10th inst, and re-
gret that he has seen fit to indulge in
language that can only engender bit
~ &
terness and bad feeling, and infiane7
and arouse prejudice that will be-
harmful to the republican party. IT,
he wishes to conduct such cam
paign, he must do SO without expect
ing me to retaliate. will NOT en-
gage in a campaign Of personal abuse,
Misrepresentation and revenge.
As already stated, my candidacy
for the senate was not selfpromoSed;
it is submitted to the voters upon my
record as member of the house of
If am nominated and elected col
the senate, shall devote my entire
time and my best efforts discharging
the duties of the office In a way to
best serve my state and the nation.I
AS heretofore, shall continue to sup-l
Iort and vote for legislation in the in
terests Of the people and advocate
measures aimed to correct monopoly I
and abuse, and for legislation rnakingI
Inequalities in favor Of capital as
against the people impossible.
"Chas II. Burke Z.