Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-06-20
The 1896 Campaign.

AAV AOOc OoAApoA6As
Gratis in this state who need a severe
talking to. They go about with long
faces and predict party defeat in 1896.
Up to date none have expressed any
reasons for the faith that is in them.
Now we submit this is the poorest
kind of policy. Men who go into
fight whipped rarely ever render any
valuable assistance in winning VIC
tory.
In place of anticipating defeat in
1896 there is every reason to believe
the Democrats will carry the State. 1t
was mere scratch that the Republic
ans won by a small plurality in 1894.
At that unfortunate election more than
1000 Democrats did not vote. The
Republicans gain over the vote of 1892
was only about 1000, ratio no larger
than ought to be anticipated in lapse
of two years time when the population
increases as fast as it does in Missouri.
This shows conclusiveIy that the Re-
publlcans have not been gaining in
Missouri, and that there are just as
many Democrats as ever. For reasons
well known, but not necessary to dis
cuss at this time, fully $4,000 Demo-
Gratis remained away from the polls in
November, 1894. Had they believed
there was any danger of Republican
success every one of them would haye
cast Democratic ballot. But the
causes which induced so many Demo-
Gratis to stay away from the polls in
1894 will not exist in 1896.
The Republican members of the low
| er house of the legislature made re-
cord at the recent extra session that
ought to cost the party many thousand
votes. On the eve of the enactment of
| a fellow-servant law the Republican
caucus, between the dictation of the
lobby and through fear of grand jury
investigation, passed an adjournment
resolution and fed for home like rats
leaving burning barn. If this kind
of a record does not induce every Dem
ocrat to go to the polls in November,
1896, and vote to consign to oblivion
such party than infamy will become
a virtue and the principles of Demo-
cracy but a reminiscence. It must
have been a sight calculated to make
Boss Filley weep when he witnessed his
cuckoos in the house make wild
stampede for home when they learned
the Cole county grand jury had been
instructed to investigate charges of
boodling. 1t is certainly the first
time in the history of Missouri that a
meeting of the general assembly was
adjourned by a grand jury. And in
connection let it be understood we do |
not excuse some Democratic state SEN
ators. When occasion demands we
propose to take their hides off and |
hang them ON the fence. But because
a few Democratic senators acted badly |
does not excuse the Republican major
ity in the house from forcing an ad- !
journment in order to defeat fellow
servant legislation and thwart the |
grand jury In its efforts to bring bood- |
lers to justice.
In the face of past events, and in |
view OF the true situation in Missouri, |
it Is difficult to understand why any
Democrat looks forward with trepida- |
ton to the result in 1896. The Re-
publicans have made no gains in the
state, and the reserve power of the |
Dem ocratic party is ample to win a |
glorious victory. The noise being |
made by the Republicans is perfectly |
natural. They were enabled to get |
close enough to the pie counter in 1894
to whet their appetites for public plum
der. Prior to this date many weary |
years had elapsed since they were |
even permitted to view the promised |
land. and in their joy over hopes born |
of desperation they are now engaged
in the harmless task OF chasing rain |
bows and dreaming dreams that will |
never be realized.
Deep and wide is the chasm between
the Republican party and power in this
state. It was dug by plunder, infamy,
prescription and intolerance. 1t marks |
the darkest period of Missouri's histo-
ry and can never be effaced from the !!
memory of the present generation. |
When the bugle sounds in 1896 the |
Missouri Democrats will muster a |
mightier and more determined host |
than ever, and they will make amends |
for the disgraceful skirmish of 1894
Jefferson City Tribune.