The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-03-14
Former Governor With.
draws from Race for Sem
atOrship = VIII Support
Congressman LenrOot.
BALLOTS MUST Be REPRINTED

Kenosha Republicans hailed with
JOY today the announcement that
former Governor Francis E. McGovern
had withdrawn from the race for the
nomination of United States senator
and had come out strongly for the
nomination of Congressman Irvine L.
Lenroot.
The morning mail brought announce
ments of withdrawal to all of the lead.
ing supporters of McGovern and with
1t came a personal letter urging these
men to give every possible support to
the candidacy of Congressman Lenroot.
More than two hundred Kenosha peo-
pie had signed the petitions of Mr..
McGovern and they will for the
most part Immediately line up behind
the LenroOt candidacy.
In his announcement withdrawing
from the senatorial race, Mr.. Nc
Govern says:
"This afternoon fled notice of my
withdrawal from the senatorial race
with the secretary of state. Mr.. Ber-
ger s indictment on the charge of vio-
lating the espionage act, the news of
which came on Saturday, practically
removes him from the list of candi-
dates. IF he does not actually retire
he will continue merely as camou-
fage candidate to deceive the public.
His Indictment alone, no matter how
his trial may turn out, effectually ex-
ciudes him from a seat in the United
States senate.
Thus released, his followers are GER
tain to go in a body to the support of
Thompson, the LaFollette candidate,
and make sure his nomination ON the
Republican ticket should both Lenroob
and remain in the field to divide the
patriotic vote of the party. Thus
every disloyal voter in the state,
whether Socialist, Democratic or Re-
publican, viii now swarm into the
camp of Thompson while the patriotic
citizenship of Wisconsin viii divide its
support among four candidates. Once
on the Republican ballot, Thompson
might be elected. This humiliating
and deplorable result would be nothing
shortO f a party, state and national
calamity, none the less distressing to
me because under the circumstances
should be in no way responsible for it.
Mr.. Thompson s nomination must be
prevented. Though was first ii the
field and feel I have prior and superior
claims on the consideration of the
Republican party for this Office, it is
clear that neither Mr.. Lenroot nor his
hackers have any thought of with
drawing his candidacy, no matter
what the consequences may be. In the
public interest, therefore, and so my
party may not be disgraced and dis
credited for years to come, as now
seems inevitable unless the choice of
Republicans is narrowed down to one
candidate on each side Of the great,
vital and transcendent issue of loyal
and patriotic Americanism, I now re-
tire in Mr.. Lenroot's favor and place
my services at his disposal.
Francis E. McGovern. -
The announcement of the retirement
of Mr. McGovern came to Kenosha
first in a telegram from Secretary of
State Hull to County Clerk Russell TT.
Jones which directed him to print the
ballots for the primary, eliminating
the name of McGovern from the tic
ket. Many of the ballots had already
been printed and in order to meet the
demand of the secretary of state It
became necessary to start work On an
entirely new set of ballots. These viii
be issued some time on wednesday in
order to have them ont in time to take
care OF the demands of the absent
voters.
The retirement of McGovern will
materially advance the candidacy Of
Congressman Lenroot in the city and
county and it is certain. that he will
receive a big top heavy majority of
the support of the Republican voters.
STEAMER SATTGATTrK