The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1892-05-28
A TIMELY THOUGHT.
The PerniciOus Meddling of the Rail
roads i'm the Politics OF the State.

May | no ask the publication of the
following timely editorial from the Post
Dispatch? PROFESSIONALLY the great
est evil of the day is the unblushing
control of state political conventions,
and the dictation of nominations, by
the railroads. Especially is this true
with reference to supreme judges, and
railroad commissioners; though by no
means Is this influence absent, at all
times, i'll the making of other nominal
tons. Persons who are not in the
habit of attending conventions are igno-
ran of the extent of the absolute domi-
nation of this influence, and how it be-
comes possible. Let them but attend
Il convention, see the railroad attorneys
in consultation with delegates, sending
often for delegates to come to their
rooms, then look down into the pockets
of n majority of these delegates, and
you will find a railroad pass; see the
large lobby of strikers and FOUNDERS,
all with passes, and the question whence
comes this influence, is easily answered.
The influence of 0'Day, Phelps, Priest,
kenna and Carroll, all railroad attor-
neys, with their strikers and free passes,
is almost supreme. Every candidate
for governor in this state knows the
existence of this %iniquity, and knows
the remedy, yet with one exception, and
he seemingly with 40 chance of nomi-
nation, not one has the courage or
patriotism TO denounce the evil and
pledge the influence of their admins
t~ration to provide Il remedy. On the
tariff, in the which the state govern
ment has nothing to do, they are elo-
quent and loud, if not learned; or this
matter, which does onc the state,
they are silent.
AS s~howingSthe extent of this infiu-
ence, let me but cite a recent occur
renee. The people of Missouri are in
favor of Mr.. Cleveland; the Sedalia
convention was overwhelmingly 50 and
instructed our delegates, to use all hon
orable means to secure his nomination.
Good. But to accomplish this purpose
they elected a railroad attorney, who
as n district delegate to a former nation
al convention, got on the committee on
resolutions, and voted against tariff re-
lOlih diu WIN, why u lew uiOuIlS dgO,
declared himself strongly against Cleve-
land, and, rs | now recall it, in favor
of Hill. When we recall the fact that
he is neither a man of transcendent
ability, or national reputation, but only
Il railroad attorney and lobbyist, the
question naturally arises, how with
such views on the tariff and Cleveland's
nomination, could he be selected to
represent the great state of Missouri
OF course there was no significance in
the fact that four-lifths of the delegates
had railroad passes in their pockets. |
would not affirm that all delegates, who
go TO Il political convention, on a pass,
thereby become the property of the
railroads, for many may and doubtless
do, accept passes unthoughtedly and
innocently; but any man ought to know
that when elected a delegate and a pass
is offered him, especially when none
was ever offered before, that it is offer
ed rs a direct bride, however he may
accept it. But | do affirm, that no
man can fearlessly discharge his duty,
rs II delegate, to the people, with a
railroad pass in his pocket; and no
man should accept the position of a
delegate, and have his expenses paid
by a railroad, Or any other influence,
asking special favors and against the
interests of the great mass of the people.
The indications are at present that
the railroads have their arm further
than ever into the political pot, espe-
cially in the contest for supreme judges,
railroad commissioner, and possibly
governor.
Will not the press of the state take
up this matter and demand q reforma-
tionP The remedy is simple, but he
role. Lei the party demand in con-
y%ention that the legislature pass a
stringent law, that no railroad shall
give to any delegate or other person
attending any political convention a
pass; attach penalties to the giving or
accepting of the same; make it obliga
tory on the courts to give the law in
charge to the grand %juries, and the
reform is had. Then will the Frisco,
Missouri Pacific and other railroads,
with their lobbyists, O'Day and COM
pany, disappear as political factors
and The voice of the people, and not
that of the railroads, be heard in the
political conventions of the state.
j. ID. SHEwALTER.
THE "POsT-DIsPATCH" ARTICLE.
Is that assembly at Sedalia a demo-
cratic state convention or only an ad-
%journed meeting of the old and we'll
known railroad LOBBY, organized, dI-
rected and conducted by that brilliant
galaxy of railroad attorneys and demo-
cratic committeeman, Phelps, Priest,
Carroll and Kenna?
They furnish the passes and the
special cars for delegations and candi-
dates. Their names figure most promi-
nently in tire reports of the proceed
ings. TO them the correspondents all
go for information as to how the con-
v~ention will be organized and what 1t
will do. AT present il seems to be I'M
derstood that they will be prudent
enough to divide the Chicago delega-
ton between men who are prominent
as railroad attorneys in politics, and
men who are not officially connected
with railroads, but hope to be.
Of all the lobby chiefs on the spot and
engineering the convention it IS said
that only Phelps and Carroll will be
made delegates-at-large by the powers
that run the convention. The candi-
dates, however, are all counting them
in a way to convince Phelps and Car
roll that they need not go to Chicago
themselves and might stay at home and
vote the Missouri delegation by tele-
graph.
Whatever may be done at Sedalia, il
is plain that this patriotic band of rail,
road attorneys and democratic commit.
teemen are there to hold the democrat.
ic party firmly IN hand and to strength.
en- their combinations for controlling
the conventions that will nomin ate the
judges and state officers.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELFl
Chicago Tribune.
Young man, be warned in time,
And 10 not put away that overcoat.
Even in the keeping of thy uncle!
What signifies a spring-like day in May
IT'S but q weather breeder. At a time
When least thou dost expect it a colo
wave,
Fresh from Winnipeg and Minneapolis,
Will come, ~perchance, and find thee un
prepared,