New-York tribune., 1922-04-15
Edwards Seeks
Frelingh ghuysen's
Seat lin Senate
Jersey Governor, Champion
of Vets, Announces That
He Will Be Candidate for
Democratic Nomination
Demand for Him, He Says
Anti Dry Friends Cheered
by Result of Congress
Test in 37th n. Y. District

Governor Edwards of New .Iergey,
who in 1920 told the world that he
would make New Jersey as wet as the
Atlantic Ocean, only to live to see the
"drys' becoming stronger year by year.
announced yesterday in Trenton that
he would be candidate for the Demo
cratic nomination for United States
Senator to succeed Joseph W. Frelirg-
huysen, Republican.
State Senator Alexander Simpson, of
Jersey City, neighbor of the Gov
| ernor, also is a candidate FOR the Dam
| ocratic nomination, but may be pre-
vailed upon to withdraw. He and his
friends are aroused, because Governor
Edwards declared himself out of the
race two weeks ago.
The large gains by the Democrats in
the 37th New York Congressional Dis
trlct special election on Tuesday, when
Judge Irvine, their candidate, carved a
Republican plurality of 10000 in 1920
TO 5000. inspired the Edwards men
with the hope that they could elect
him Senator over Senator Frelinehuv-
sen, and that is what they are going
to try to do.
He Meets Demand, Edwards Says
Governor Edwards issued the follow
ing statement:
"In the last year have been repeat
edly urged by people in all walks Of
life, representing all political faiths, to
become q candidate for United States
Senator. Up to this time I have hesi-
tated to announce my position on the
foz
myself that the large part of the public
urging my candidacy not only desired
to honor me further as man but be-
lieved as we'll that by my candidacy
would typify movement in the state
and in the nation which should be de-
termined at the polls. / have been con-
vinced in the last few weeks that there
is q real demand for my candidacy.
"For me to run for United States
Senator will entail great business
sacrifice, which at first did not feel
that ] should be called upon to make.
However, my state has signally honored
me by electing me Governor, and
feel that it is my duty not to refuse the
demand of great many Of my friends
and a large body of the citizens of the
state. / have therefore decided to run
in the primaries of the Democratic
party as candidate for United States
Senator. and II ! am successful in tho
nomination Of my party the people of
the state will be able to pass upon
the issues for which l shall stand
From time to time, and in the very
near future, shall issue a series of
statements which will leave no doubt
in the minds of the public as to what
is my position on the issues Of the
appr oaching campaign. These state
ments will be definite and direct. and
will be designed to advise the people
OF the state exactly what policy | will
follow if | am so fortunate as to he
elected TO the Office Of United States
Senator
Elected or "Wet" Platform
Governor Edwards was elected Gov
ernor in 1919 on wet" ticket and 8
a candidate two years ago for the
Democratic nomination FOR President
he received the support Of the New
Jersey delegates, all avowedly anti
dry William j. Bryan blocked the
vets at every stage of their plans
to put a wet" plank in the platform,
at San Francisco.
In 1920 Harding carried New Jersev
oX the record vote of 611,67o to 25s,-
229 for Cox w @'o'