Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-14

On Saturday The Bangor News
obtained from Hon. Frank E. Guern-
sey of Dover Foxcroft the following
statement of his attitude respecting
the coming contest for the seat in
the United States senate made va
cant by the death of Hon. Bert NJ.
Fernald.
MIR. Guernsey's Statement
I'm response to requests some days
ago from the public press in regard
to my being a candidate for the
Republican nomination for the
United Estates senate to succeed the
late Senator Fernald, l stated that
l would make a public statement in
regard to my candidacy, following
the issue of call by the governor
of the state for special election to
I'LL the vacancy.
Since then, voluntary offers of
support without any solicitation on
my part whatsoever, have been made
from every section of the state. COM
ing from the rank and file, influen-
tial political groups, and then men
representing the strongest and larg-
est business interests of the state,
showing great public interest not
only in the north but in the south,
in the justice of the claim of north
ern and eastern Maine for equal
representation in the United States
senate.
II have delayed making any an
nouncement of my candidacy for the
ishest office in our state, not
I. ough lack of interest in the strug-
-ie of this great eastern section for
Vi~lt and il1cfino hrf hpna1tSn nf ha
ct that having been so generously
supported in the past campaigns
hen I led the cause, it seemed I'M
csirable for me to show undue
Taste as know there are outstand-
ing men in this section who are con-
sldering the matter, and who would
till the position of United States
senator with honor to themselves
and to the state of Maine. I hope
one Of these gentlemen will consent
to be candidate.
THE question Of equal represen-
tation is of such vital Importance to
a self governing people, that the
first step that the trainers of the
constitution took was to provide for
territorial divisions to enable the
people to select men from their
midst to represent them in the con-
gress of the United States, and to
prevent men, foreign to the territory,
Icing chosen, and to prevent domi-
nation Of congress by the great CEN
tres of population.
Senatorial Campaien-1916 10000
Votes
In 1916 had served as a member
of congress from the fourth district
of Maine for eight years, with some
lance and experience with congress
Sional and governmental matters.
That year a nomination for the
United States senate came up, and I
was urged by friends and RESPONSE
BILE men in the district and state to
become a candidate for the senate.
After consideration and on advice
of others thought it might be best
to remain in the House, If allowed
to, at least another two years, and
| sought and was given an unan-
imous nomination. In that campaign
Senator Frederick Hale of Portland
was chosen by the southern part of
the state.
Unfortunately. the day 1 was re-
nominated for congress, another va
cancy occurred through the death Of
Senator Burleigh. Again l was
urged to announced my candidacy
as United States senator from this
great eastern section, still unrepre-
scented, privilege which it enjoyed
for more than forty years. 1t was
urged upon me that as I was then
the senior member of the Maine dele
cation in Washington and due to my
long service and experience in ma
tional affairs, / was the logical can
didate to be selected by the state for
the important office. On these
representations and realizing the
justice and the Importance of the
cause of the honest and industri-
Gus people of this great eastern Sec
ton, felt justified in seeking the
nomination. In the election that fol-
lowed received nearly one-half of
all the votes cast, the northern half
of the state being practically unani-
nous, and while l was defeated by
a narrow margin, l received about
ten thousand votes for this high
office Of senator in the congress Of
the United States.
Senatorial Campaign 1922, 10000
Votes
I'm the 1922 campaign, having en-
listed in the cause l felt it my duty