Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-14
SENATOR VEST TO RETIRE.
The Missouri senator VIII Decline q
Re-E1ectiOn in 1S9O-lHis Political
History.

senator Vest has Informed some of his friends
that It Is his purpose to retire from the senate st
the end Of his present term. This decision has
occasioned no little surprise. The senator's most
Intimate friends can scarcely believe that he will
actually adhere to his determination. For a seat
In the United States Senate can, perhaps, be re-
tained by Mr. Vest during the balance OF his natu-
raj lie should he desire hold it. His will
continue as long as his party retains power In
Missouri and he desires the post, and even the
most sangune republican scarcely hopes to live TO
see the day when his party will carry Missouri.
senator Vest was elected to the Senate in 1873,
Dy the practically unanimous decision OF his party
IN MlsSourl He took his seat In 1873. and six
years later was reelected unanimously by the
democrats OF his state. There is no question that
ne could oe returned with the same unanmlty In
paired, and he feels the need of rest. senator
vest mas peculiar hold upon the people he serves
ne mas their personal regard and affection to a
marked degree. They are proud OF him, and feel
that tney could not do too much for him.
FOR HIS PARTY's SAKE.
In 1876 he announced himself a candidate for
governor and In every part OF his state his friends
went TO work for him with a will. That year the
democrats held two state conventions. The first
cnose delegates to the national convention to be
held at ST. Louis and went no farther It being held
the part or wisdom to wait until after the ma
tonal convention TO put the state ticket and plat
FORM out AT st. Louis the ticket OF Tilden and
hendrickS was nominated, and soon thereafter
the state convention assembled TO nominate state
omcers Col Vests friends were jubilant. They
were Overwhelmingly IN the majority. A rumor
10 the effect that the Tilden managers had pleaded
for the nomination OF candidate with a Union
record during the war had disturbed the friends OF
Vest, but they were too full OF enthusiasm to pay
much attention to it. But when the delegates
began to assemble IL was observed that
there was mysterious whisperings and confer
ences. The upShot was an authoritative request
presented to delegates individually that no ex-
Confederate be nominated for governor. IL was
regarded rs OF great Importance to the success OF
the 1llden ticket that man with Union record
be put In the field. The democrats OF Missouri
were not willing to jeopardiZe the success of the
national ticket, nor was Mr. Vest. He frankly de-
clared that he did not share the apprehension as
to the Injurious effect OF the nomination OF
Confederate, but admitted that the Tilden man
ayers ought not to be handicapped Old and
bearded men, brOnZed veterans OF the civil and
of many hard-fought political fields, actually shed
tears because they were impelled to vote against
vest. Col. Phelps, an eX-Union soldier, was nOmi-
mated for governor, but after the convention adj
Journed scores or the delegates rushed TO Mr. Vests
room. They protested against the political fortune
that had driven them TO nominate another man,
but cOnsOled themselves by saying, "Neyer mind,
George we will send you to the Senate" and
within little more than two years they redeemed
that promise.