Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-05-02
The Southeast MlssOurian

Every BODY VINO Knows anything
about state politics knows the man from
southeast Missouri. In politics. when
southeast Missourian is spoken of, it is
always understood that he is a demo-
crat, for republicans do not seem to
thrive in the atmosphere of the low
lands Of the southeast. 1t is the south
east that always presents an unbrOken
democratic front. Other parts of the
state have wavered and some counties
have forsaken the faith of their fathers
to wander off after strange political
gods, but the southeast has never falt-
cred. Year after year il sends up the
same old time democratic majnrItles,
and there is no indication that it will
not continue to do SO for a century to
come. Maybe this is the reason why
the southeast Missouri delegation is
always so powerful in the state cOnven-
lions.
Other sections of the state sometimes
jestingly speak of tho southeast as the
swamp district, and humorously refer
to the Inhabitants as swamp angels.
True, the country is low but the repre-
sentatives iI sends to the legislature
and the state conventions are witnesses
that it produces healthy and vigorous
men. mentally and physically. They
are also q set of men that have q
unique individuality which becomes
the more interesting the more one be-
comes familiar with it. Proba bly,
southeast Missouri does not run the
legislature. but it comes a good deal
nearer doing it than any other section
of the state.
The legislature is the place to see
the southeast Missouri man in all his
power and glory. There he is
Omnipresent and well nigh omnipotent,
and there you have a chance TO get
acquainted with him and discover
what a distinctive fellow he is. He
has heard politics since he was old
enough to understand anything, and
he has talked politics since he could
talk anything. Naturally, therefore,
he appreciates the value of organiZa-
ton. Shortly after the legislature
convenes a caucus of the southeast
Missouri delegation is announced.
Ask a southeastern what it is to be con-
sidered at the caucus and he will reply
nonchanantly, 30, we are just meeting
to get acquainted with each Other.'
The value of the acquainta nee deyel-
opes as the session progresses. Pref
ty soon some pet measure of some
other section of the state will be up.
The southeast will vote for it solidly.
Shortly after the southeast will have
something it wants. 1t will get it be-
cause the southeast knows what it is
doing when it votes to help any other
portion of the state. The organize ton
is maintained throughout the session.
1t is ready at any time to cast a solid
vote for or against any measure which
it may favor or oppose. Its vote is
seldom scattering except on minor
Of nnf-
aace the southeast usually holds the
balance of power.
The importance of the southeat Mis-
sourian is demonstrated by the offices
which he holds. When you go into
the lower house you find that the
speaker is from southeastMissouri. The
man whose voice is heard more than
that of all the members the reading
clerk, is southeast Missnurian. A
southeast Missourian has the most i'm
portant committee.
The best parliamentarian on the
floor, in all human probability, is from
southeast Missouri, and it is dollars to
dimes that the best speaker comes from
the same section. In fact, the south
east Missourian manages to surround
pretty nearly everything.
Outside the house the same condition
of affairs exists. You will see the
southeast Missourian pretty nearly
everywhere you go and will never find
him taking back seat. Invite him to
play a game of billiards and you are
likely to find that he will discount you
the second game. Drop in on a quiet
game of draw and the man with the
biggest pile of blues in front of him
comes from the southeast. He is equal
ly at home OH the bowling alley or am
other game of chance or skill, and with
al he is a prime favorite. He is very
human, is the Southeast MissOurian,
and that is why everybody likes him.
He is good companian, soeiable and
friendly, and always ready to grant
favor if it doesn't interfere with some
pet southeast scheme. He is a good
friend and bad enemy, a fierce fight
er, but always ready to shake hands
when the fight is over, if his opponent
had nothing of the coward about him.
Ihere are not great many railroads
In Southeast Missouri yet. Two wears
ago the member from Pemiscot county
had to travel through four states to
reach jefferson City He had to cross
the river, go through the western bor-
ders OF Tennessee and Kentucky into
Illinois, and thence to st. Louis. where
he took the Missouri and traversed halt
the width of Missouri to jefferson Citv
Hence when the railroad fight was nm
two years ago the southeast opposed
any legislation that would tend to GRIN
pie railroad legislation. When Gov.
Marmaduke called the extra session of
the legislature the southeast had bill
of its own, which it presented for con-
sideration. It's opponents, in derision,
called it the "Swamp Angel" but the
''Swamp Angel" is the law which to-
day governs the railroads of Missouri.
The Southeast. Missourian s.the most
prominent figue in the Missouri legis-
lature. Representatives from other
sections of the State are as able, but
they have not the distinctiveness about
them which marks the man from the
southeast. The latter is always talking
of bis country, boasting of it and keep
ing it to the front. When he accom-
plishes it he places 1t to the credit of
Southeast Missouri. He never allows
any one to forget the southeast and
never forgets it himself. Altogether,
the southeast Missourian, as q rule, is
what is commonly known as q "bird."
-Kansos City Times.