it would provide for a vote on United States Senator.

The Legislature did enact a new law, providing that the primaries
be held in August, 1906. Former Governor Richard Yates was the
only candidate against me. He made a canvass of the State, and a
very thorough one. He had a considerable advantage in that he had
almost all the politicians in the State who were holding State
offices actively working for him. I made no canvass and personally
did very little about it at all. I was willing to leave the matter
to the people, and determined, if it was a fair vote, to abide by
the result of the primaries, and if defeated at the primaries to
support Governor Yates. I believe that Governor Yates had the same
determination,--at least his conduct after the primaries, in
withdrawing from the contest, would indicate that he had. I am
glad to be able to say that throughout the contest and at its close,
he acted very fairly. He made a straight, fair fight, and lost,
then abided by the result, just as I would have done had I lost.
My friends in different parts of the State took an active interest
in my behalf, for which I want to avail myself of this opportunity
to express to them my appreciation. I might add here that all
during my public career it has been my good fortune to have the
support and friendship of a very high class of men, men whose honor
and integrity were beyond question, and who were capable of filling
any office. I cannot undertake to name them, but I know that they
will understand the deep debt of gratitude that I owe to them.

It was very flattering to me that I carried the primaries by a
substantial majority, having carried the popular vote, a majority
of the Senatorial districts, and a majority of the Congressional
districts. It demonstrated to me that the people had confidence
in me and were satisfied with my record as a Senator. It was the
first time that I had been voted for directly by the people for
any office since my re-election as Governor in 1880. The result
could not but be gratifying.

Every one in the State accepted the result of the primaries, and
the question was regarded as settled. When the Legislature convened,
I was the unanimous choice of the Republican caucus and was voted
for by every Republican in the Legislature on joint ballot. There
seemed to be no bitterness or hard feeling on the part of any one.

After the general election in November, I returned to Washington
to p