The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1896-10-31
Address of the Democratic State
Central Committee

Central Committee.
To the People of Missouri:
No political party has the right to
claim the support of the people in
state affairs which has not demonstrated
its fidelity to public trust and its capa-
bility to protect public interests.
The claim to public confidence rests
upon the faithful discharge of public
duty.
The democratic party has been en-
trusted by the people with the man.
agement of the public affairs of this
state for almost a quarter of a century.
Upon the record made since the
advent of democratic control in 1873
we confidently submit the claims of
the party to public confidence and
support IN the present contest.
When the republican party surren-
dered control of Missouri the bonded
debt of the state was twenty-one mil
lions of dollars. The rate of taxation
was forty-five cents IN the one hundred
dollars valuation for state purposes.
The state was paying six per cent inter-
est on its Indebtedness and its bonds
were selling at ninety-two cents on the
IA ~ hiAd
nary institutions of the state were in a
demoralized condition, and reckless
extravaganza at the state capital
brought scandal on the commonwealth.
Under democratic control the bond
ed debt has been steadily reduced, IN
til there remains but five millions of
dollars, and this will be wiped out dur
ing the next democratic administra-
ton. The rate of interest has been
reduced to three and one-half per cent,
aud the credit of the state is not sur
passed by that of the nation itself.
This reduction of the state debt has
been accomplished without any in
crease in taxation. The tax rate in
fact has been reduced during this time
to twenty-five cents on the one hun
dred dollars-a saving to the people of
nearly two millions of dollars annually.
The enormous profits which under
republican rule went to public officials
as fees, are now paid into the state
treasury and help to bear the legiti-
mate expenses of the state government.
During the entire control of the
democracy in this state, not one dollar
has been lost to the people, and in
every department there has been a
capable, courteous and business-like
administration of public affairs.
Upon the record thus made the
democracy challenges the closest in
spection of every citizen, and respect
fully invites a comparison with the
high tax, high debt, low credit, extrav-
agant record which marks the period
of republican rule In this state.
From trustwrthy reports received
from every county throughout the
state we have no doubt as to the result
of the contest now confronting the
people. MI. Bryan will carry Missouri
by the largest majority Eve given any
candidate for the presidency in this
commonwealth.
The people have never been more
thoroughly aroused, and from every
quarter comes the assuring report of
substantial acoessions to the democratic
cause.
Thousands of citizens who have not
heretofore acted with our party are
this year earnestly, periodically and
effectively laboring to defeat Hannaism.
The desperate efforts which the
republican managers are making to
secure control of Missouri have Been
an incentive to thousands of good citi-
zens to disregard patty ties for the
time being and take their stand for
good government.
Back of the Hanna campaign in this
state is a committee of millionaires
whose aggregate wealth is given at
twenty millions of dollars. There is
substantial evidence in our possession
that Mark Hanna's slush fund is being
supplemented by heavy contributions
from local capitalists.
The people of Missouri a neither
be bought nor bulldozed.
The attempt to corrupt the ballot
will fail as signally as did the effort to
coerce voters.
The democratic state committee
stands pledged to protect every voter
in the exercise of his rights as Il cIti-
zen, and to prosecute to~the full extent
of the law every man who undertakes
by coercion, intimidation, or other un-
lawful means to prevent any citizen
from exercising the right of suffrage in
accordance with the dictates of his own
conscience.
We confidently look for a glorious
triumph in our national contest, and
nave ample evidence that the result in
Missouri will be n sweeping victory for
our state, congressional and Legislative
ticket.
To make ssccess doubly sure, and TO
rebuke as 1t deserves the attempt TO
corrupt and coerce voters, we ask
every citizen of this state whose pride
in Missouri is above narrow partisan
prejudice to devote his time from now
until the close of the polls next Tues
day TO securing democratic success.
Very respectfully,
S. ID. COOK, Chairman.
III. w. SALMON,
Chairman Executive Com.
Il. b. LOVE, Secretary.
st. Louis, Mo-, Oct. %, 1896,