The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-07-31
Former Stare Senator Of Columbus
Junction 10 Willing to Make the
Race for Congress from
First District
TO SUCCEED KENNEDY
He is the Third Candidate TO Announce
Himself Since Congressman Ken
nedy Decided Not to
Run.

Burlington Hawk-Eye: Former SEN
ator Il. NJ Molsberry OF Columbus
Junction has authorized the announce
ment of his candidacy for congress-
man from the first Iowa district to
succeed Hon. Charles A. Kennedy,
subject to the decision of the repub-
lfcan voters of the district at the 192o
primaries.
The announcement of Senator Mols-
berry is the third out Of what promises
to be the largest field OF candidates
the district has seen for many years.
Senator Frank Thompson of Burlng.
ton, was the first to announce himself
a candidate. Last Sunday the an
nouncement of Major Fred S. Hol.
steen was made. Yesterdays mail
brought the information that Senator
Molsberry is willing to make the con-
test. This brings candidates from two
OF the seven counties of the district,
several, if not all of the other coun-
ties are expected to be heard from in
the near future.
Has Planned to Run Before.
In announcing his decision, Mr..
Molsberry says that he has had an
ambition to represent the first district
in congress since Mr.. Kennedy's first
nomination and election. AT that
time" says the senator, Il had an
nounced my candidacy, but local con-
ditions interfered to such an extent
that / thought 1t wise to withdraw
my name. Four years ago l went so
far as to get out my nomination
papers, but did not file them because
/ saw ahead strenuous campaign and
the possibility of party defeat by
reason of the pre-primary contest that
threatened.
Louisa county had never had a
representative in congress though
for more than quarter of century
we have furnished substantial repub-
lican majorities for the candidates the
district has presented and we feel that
il is only right that this county should
be recognized.
An important Period.
During tie reconstruction period,
the country is going to face questions
more important than any that have
confronted US since the civil war.
Upon their correct solution depends
the welfare OF the nation. I con-
slider 1t congressman's duty to deal
with questions Of this character with
an eye single to the welfare OF the
nation and district If a congressman
cannot consider such questions from
this standpoint and be totally obli-
vious to the effect his actions may
have upon his private interests or his
future career he should not go to con-
gress. A congressman is his districts
employee. His business is to know
more about public auctions than any
one else In his district whose private
affairs prevent them from giving their
whole attention TO public affairs. A
congressman should give his whole at
tention to public questions and then,
SO far as is possible, pass this infor-
nation on to his constituents. Briefly
he should be a leader and not fol-
lower.
Asks Voters to Decide.
IF the people of the first district
think l have the capacity to thus
represent them l should be more than
pleased to make the attempt If they
think l will not measure UP to this
standard l will expect them to say so
by their votes and if such shall be the
verdict will accept the result with
the same equanimity that 1 have dis
played in the past and will grace.
fully retire to the ranks and continue
to do in a more humble way, things
think are to the best interests of my
community, my state and my nation"
Senator Molsberry represented
Louisa county in the Iowa senate in
the goth, Goth, and 31st general as.
sembly and is well known throughout
the district