Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-05-25
'COL. COLGATE W|THDRAN|S
FROM SENATORIAL CONTEST
Jersey City Aspirant Draws
Out of Republican
Primary Race.
NOW EDGE VS.. RECORD
Gives Statement on stand, on
Day of Big Republican
Meeting.

JERSEY CITY. May 25:-Colonel
Austin Colgate this morning an
nounced his withdrawal as candi-
date for the nomination for United
states senator on the Republican tic
ket. Colonel Colgates action leaves
but two candidates in the race, Gov
ernor Walter E. Edge and George L.
Record. The statement made by Col
Colgate explaining his action follows:
Last August made the formal an
nouncement of my candidacy for the
Republican United States senatorial
nomination.
'At the time L did not believe our
governor would or could become a
candidate for the same Office, at least
while still holding the governorship,
Tor number of reasons;
In the first place should his can
didacy prove successful he would oc-
cupy the dual Office of United States
senator and governor for the remain
der Of his present term; New Jersey
would be without either a governor or
senator, an unthinkable position In
these war times.
In the second place, it would ap-
pear to the people as though New Jer-
sey had but one Republican fit to
serve in the senate, and we would be
accused of being one man party, just
as the Democrats were referred to a
few years ago.
ing the high office Of governor simply
as stepping-st stone to further po-
ntical advancement, direct violation
or the spirit if not the letter, of our
Constitution.
Lastly, should the governor be
defeated it would mean that for the
remainder of his term, covering a leg
lsiative session and over a year in Of
tce, he would be in the position of
having been repudiated by his own
party-a reflection on every Repup-
lican In our state.
These are some of the reasons why
l believed the governor would feel he
owed 1t to the party, as well as to
himself, not to enter the senatorial
race. He has done 80, however, and
the situation as view 1t now, (should
this contest between him and myself
continue) Is such as to place the har-
mony of the Republican party in jeop-
ardy and possibly affect the success OF
ITS nominee at the general election this
fall.
I'm carrying on an aggressive, eff
fective campaign against the govern or
of our state, his opponents would at
tack his administration, and to attack
his administration would be to find
fault with the Republican party. do
not propose to be responsible directly
or indirectly, for such a proceeding, as
do not believe it right for any man
to place individual ambition above
party success. I clearly see that my
remaining in the race would be in
furious to the welfare Of the Repub-
lican party, especially in view Of the
fact that should I win the nomination
1t would be DISTINCT reputation of
our Republican governor and in that
way harm the party. I do not believe
1t fair to place the governor in any
such position, and therefore feel it my
duty to withdraw from the primary
contest. I am more of plain business
man than politician and ordinary
business Judgment dictates the wisdom
Of maintaining a united party rather
than one split through personal am
bitions.
While have sincere desire TO
be OF service to our people, and would
have been more than proud to have
had the honor of serving our state and
nation in the senate, my keenest regret
at feeling obliged to take the step !
now take is the disappointment it will
bring to my many staunch friends
throughout the state who have pledged
me their support and have worked so
loyalty and unselflshly in my behalf.
have not the words to express the SIN
cere appreciation I feel for the splen-
did assistance these friends have rem
dered, and wish to make this public
Acknowledge of my deep gratitude.
To these good friends, and to the thou
sands who have signed my nominating
petitions, can only say that am try
ing to do the right thing as see 1t,
hoping and believing my action will
ultimately receive their individual sup
port
I'VE all realize, of course, that in
the larger sense, partisan issues must
not and cannot take frot rank in such
as these. What we want and must
have IN Washington and elsewhere are
men who will give willing, intelligent
and enthusiastic support to our Presi-
dent and all branches of the govern
ment, Surely the Republican party Is
as capable OF producing such men as
the party in power, and any attempt
to make It appear that Democrats
alone should be elected to high office
In this crisis - nothing less than a
blow at the very foundation Of our
country Political parties are an abso-
lutte necessity in a dem ocracy such as
ours. They serve to maintain our ma
tional balance and keep our great ship
OF state on an even keel
Il withdraw from the senatorial pri-
mary in an effort to eliminate the bit
terness already developed in the Re
publican ranks, and create II possible,
the spirit Of harmony without which
victory 10 uncertain"