Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-11-13

THEIR COMBINATION TO GET OFFICE REVOLT
AGAINST THE QUARTETTR-oNR OF THE FouR
KNIFED-THE OTHERS MARKED FOR SLAUGHTER
Correspondence Of The Eoeaing Star.I
ST. LOUIS Mo-, Nov. 10.
The defeat of Col. Phillips for Congress In the
seventh district Of this state by Rice a republi-
can greenbacker, was great surprise to every
body. The district has been considered reliably
democratic, usually giving 2 600 or 1900 ma
jOrity for that ticket. When the returns were
received 1t appeared that Col. Phillips had run
behind his ticket and that, too, In democratic
strongholds like Lafayette county. This was
still more OF q puzzle. Phillips Is an able man
and has made an excellent representative In
Congress. 1t was evident that some reason
existed for his loss OF democratic votes and
the secret is now ascertained by a few
leading democrats who have been inquirIng into
the matter. In order TO explain 1t we must 60
back a few years In the political history OF Mis-
souri,: ssN After the liberal movement. headed by
GratZ Brown and others, had overthroTn re-
publican ascendency in the state, and restored
eX confederateS to the right Of suffrage, the
democrats took control OF political affairs. Crit
tenden, an ex-uD1on colonel, and Cockrell, an
eX. confederate general, formed a law partner
ship, and located at Warrensburg. Phil
lips. an ex-unon colonel, and Vest, an eX-con-
federate. formed another law firm at Sedal.a.
TEeSe were prominent democrats aud able law
yerS, ard both firms soon oblatned considerable
political influence. The democracy were strong
and the two law firms-the most promInent
and powerful outside OF St LouiS-became
rivals for political power. Phillips aud Crlttea.
den competed several times for the nomination
for Congress In the Ith district. first one and
then the other winning alternately. Two years
ago Col CrittendenS friends proposed TO run
MIN Tor governor In 1889, and In pursuance Ot
this plan peace was made between the rival law
firms. Meantime Gen. Cockrell was elected to
tb1 I. 5. Senate. One year ago Col. Vest, o.
tie Sedalia firm, was also elected L. s. Senator
ard his partner. Phillips, was elected 10 Con-
STess to fill the vacancy caused by the death OF
Mr.. Lay. Several months ago C0l. Crittenden,
the Cnly member OF either OF the two firms not
III Office, was nominated for governor OF MIS-
souri,, the nomination being equivalent
looked round, and discovered all four OF the
bright lawyers In honorable and lucrative po-
sitions. The rivalry between the firms had
Gratis began to talk about the excellent man
agement OF the firms that had made money out
or law practice and high honors for four men
at the same time. This talk spread, and was
they would, when opportunity offered, lower
the ambition OF the quartette OF lawyers. Col.
Philips was the first member of the firm at
whom the voters got chance, and they have
defeated him for Congress-; not because OF any
wrong he has done or because he has not given
satisfaction, but more because they believed
that the four lawyers had been for years plot
ting to push themselves upward. The next
one Of the quartette who comes before the
people is Gen. Cockrell. His term In the Senate
expires next March. and the legislature which
meets in Jefferson City next month will elec:
his successor. Already the opposition to him Is
active, and though he appears to have the in.
seems to be growing. Democrats OF the state
are saying that the TWO law firms are seeking
te rule the party on the boss plan. and that fc
democrats get an idea In their head there is nc no
sWerving them. The members-elecJ of the
legislature shake their heads significantly. say
Frank Cockrell is mighty good man, but
there's Jist as good as he," and the last clause
means great DEAL