The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1916-02-24
u. III. COONEY, IS A
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR


E. II. Cooney, editor of the Great
Falls Evening Leader, former post
master and we'll known citizen of
Montana, whose home is in Great
Falls. is "a candidate for the republi-
can nomination for governor of
Montana. Formal announcement
was made of this fact last week
The announcement came as the result
of a meeting of the Cascade county
republican committee and it was
the authorized statement of the
leaders of the party, after the ses-
sion, that Mr.. Cooney enters the
contest for the nomination with the
unanimous and enthusiastic support
of Cascade county republicans to aid
him in his effort.
More than Is members were pres
ent and Senator James M. Bur]in
game was chairman of the session.
The committeeman discussed fea-
lures of the coming campaign and
after the business had been disposed
of Senator Burlingame addressed
the committeeman at length, the re-
suit of which was the launching OF
the campaign of Mr.. Cooney for he
WV
governOrshin.
From time to time some of my
good friends have been generous en-
Ough to suggest to me that they
rather expected | would be a candi
date for the republican nomination
for governor at the coming pri-
''The yrecaled the fact that ! was
honored by being made presirent
pro TEN of the last session of the
state senate and seemed to think
| might consider that it placed ~"
in line for the further honor OF the
eoyernorship of our state. That
appreciate their thoughtfulness is
needless to state; that it is an honor
to say any man to be seriously men-
toned as possible candidate for
governor Of Montana on the repub-
lican ticket is something all will
concede. But | say now as ] have
said to my friends when this subject
came up, that l am not a candidate
nor do intend to be-"
Turning then to another angle.
Senator Burlingame continued;
"While | have no intention of
asking to be considered in this race
there is one thing do believe and
that is that Cascade county is ell
titled to a high consideration when
it comes to determining who shall
be selected as the republican candi-
date for governor. Our county has
made efforts in the past toward
bringing the honor TO some one of
our citizens but with nothing of sue
cess He then recounted the cam
didacy for the honor of G. w. Web
ster, now deceased and the later
candidacy of Mr.. Cooney when. at
the last nominating convention held
in Great Falls, Mr.. Cooney made a
splendid race but lost to H. l.. Will
son of Billings. Continuing he
said:
There is no doubt in my own
mind what the republicans of Cas-
cade county ought to do in respect
to the gubernational nomination. 1t
is up to us to stand as one man be-
: hind candidate and go to the peo-
pie with our claims to the end that
our candidate will be accorded the
4 recognition to which he and we are
Il entitled. Mr.. Cooney's valiant ef-
fort to bring the honor to us four
years ago merits recognition now;
: for us to support, if he will accept
l.
! not nut it on the ground he owes it
to the party, but on the broader
ground that the party owes it tC
f him.
:, This statement of Senator Bur.
'. lingame was greeter with vigorous
applause from the comitteemen and
f when this had subsidized the senator
turned to Mr.. Cooney and re.
marked: 81 formally invite you, Mr.
i Cooney to tell this committee
a whether you are willing to stand as
t a cand' date for the governorship il
f the republicans of Cascade county
|. through these, their delegated com
mitteemen, tell you thev are solidly
behind your candidacy"
{ After cheering, Mr.. Cooney arose
II and replied briefly, announcing that
s he would make the race for the
n nomination for governor and that
J. later he would make formal state
S ment of his platform of principals
J. In part he said:
d 1T is indeed an honor to be paid
such tribute as Senator Burlin
game has given me. 1t is an honor
# as he has said for any man to have
n his name mentioned seriously ii
d connection with the nomination fol
O feel very deep appreciation for the
:. honor that is thus paid me. Thi!
J. matter has been brought to my at
IS tention under different conditions
d and from many sections of the state
e showing that my loyal republican
IS friends seem to think, as the senate
has stated, that I am entitled t.
make the race if it is my inclina
d ton. Because of these facts, hav
Y seriously considered the matte
e from it's various angles. 1t is no
y a subject to be treated lightly, AM
I after much personal consideration
n and aided by the counsel of friends
IS l have decided to seek the republi