The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1890-06-21
The FARMERS IN THE ST. JOE DON
VENTION.

The democratic convention which
met at st. Joseph last week, was, in
some respects, unique in Its character.
1t was not unique in its democracy tor
there was all of the old time en-
thusiasm, the usual fierce fight for
tsyorites, and all the old fashioned,
good natnred squiescense in results.
But It was unique In its methods and
In its components. The same old crowd
of democrats was there, and it was just
az busy In the Hobbies and In the aisles,
and lust 90 numerous on the platform,
but il was q notable fact that fewer
than usual of these old timers wor
delegates badges. They were conspic-
uous as private citizens; some OF them
v Q received admission tickets with
something OF keen appreciation, in
stead OF dispensing those tokens Of
favoritism with the lordly and conde-
scending hand of old. The delegates
who wore badges did not talk as much;
they were good listeners; they were not
oyermuch given to caucusing, they
seemed already to have made up their
minds about certain things and to feel
that discussion and lobbying would not
change them; their faces were some
what strange, but they talked Cleve-
land ana Vest and tariff reform just as
earnestly, If not 80 vo~citerously, and
took their bourbon straight with "a
much decorous grace as the "old war
horses" But It was this new crowd,
these quiet, undemonstrstive fellows,
who were In the majority and they
knew It, and they did control the con-
vention.
And who we're theY9 This new
element in control Of the democratic
party organization? The work of this
convention 10 the best answer to the
questions. They were farmers and
laboring men. They came from the
country. They had the bronze of the
sun on their faces and the callousness
of plow handles on their hands. They
did not wear boutonnieres on the lapels
of their coats, but they could tell you
all about the iniquities of the tariff.
They could not discuss the "rule in
Shelby's CASE" but they could give any
lawyer pointers ON freight rates and
transportation facilities. They had not
studied Buckle and did not affect
Tolstoi, but they had Roger Q. Mills
by heart and could quote John Il. Car
lisle by the hour. These were the men
In command at st. 10. The farmers and
lsboring men have always constituted
the rank and file and substantial
strength Of the democratic party. They
are the bone and sinue of the organiza-
ton. They have always done the
voting; the other fellows have done the
talking for them aud held the offices.
It was determined to alter conditions a
little at st. 10. They did it--these
quiet undemonstrative, intelligent
farmers. They took possession OF the
convention and they "ran it," 1t was
an innovation, but it was a good one.
They did not ask much; they made no
unusual or arbitrary demands; they
did not lay violent hands upon the
machinery OF the party or overthrow
any OF the traditions OF democracy.
They simply said, ''step aside for
awhile, boys,and let US try our hands"
All they asked vas recognition, and
they got it. They dominated the con-
vention, and who can say that they did
not do their work well?They nominated
tor supreme Judge N of the ablest and
purest lawyers in the state. lie was
not q prime favorite with the great
corporations, but they loved him none
the less for that. They made no mis-.
take in nominating Judge CAN'T.
They have something TO do with
public schools, and they nominated u
OF the best and most enthusiastic ed
ucators of Missouri Tor superintendent
of public schools.
They made no mistake IN nominating
| Mr.. Wolfe.
They wanted the Office of railroad
commissioner for themselves, aud they
got It without much OF 3 struggle. Some
OF the old timers may have been inclin-
ed to criticize them because they were
q little careless sbOnt their inquiries
Into "records'' and "antecedents," bui
their calm reply was, ave want Hick-
man; We don't care for his political
delinquencies In the past; he is y dem.
ocrat and IL with rs noW," and they
got Hickman, and all the old timers
| will vote for him.
Il is the first time the democratic
farmers have exercised their power,and
who al say they have not exercised II
discreetly2 The sentimental, for the
nounce, has been discarded and the
practical substituted In democratic pol,
tiles. and it will work we'll.