The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-12-04
MissourI's Crumblfng Democracy


Another symptom of the sure decline
of the Democratic party in Missouri
i the shameful dicker to which its
state chairman resorted last fall in
order to compass the election of Il
judge of the Court of Appeals IN the
Eastern judicial district. But for that
corrupt deal. by which the withdrawal
of the Populist candidate for judge
was arranged upon the payment of
$1,000 by the Democratic candidate. on
demand of the Populist state chair
man, and followed by the appointment
to office of Popuiists by Democratic
judges and a Democratic Governor.
the Republican Judge would probably
have been elected. The Democrats of
Missouri are running on a small mar
gin. They realize the urgent need Of
future Populist help. What remains
to be ascertained is its cost. Last
year it was purchased in at least one
clearly disclosed instance by money
and appointments. This a without
the knowledge Or consent OF the POpu-
list voters. They supported the Dem
ocratic national ticket because the
candidate and platform reflected their
views, but we're not aware until the
publication of Judge BANDS iettc rs
that they had been bought and sold in
the judicial election.
By the scandalous deal of last fall
the Democratic managers of Missouri
confessed that the time is at hand
when their party, as a distinct organ
i~zation, must pass into the minority
IN the State. y few figures will con
firm their apprehension and indicate
also that in last years election they
deprived the Republicans of Missouri
Of Il judge by violating the corrupt
practi~GS law. There are two judicial
districts III Missouri. the Eastern and
the western. Up to within Il few days
of the election there we're thr e candi-
udLCS " JUICY III SdNh- iN1DtOAANdh
Democratic and Populist. But in the
Eastern district the Populist was i'll
duced to withdraw by means soon to
undergo a judicial Investigation. In
the Western district the vote was: FL
lisont Dem. J, l16, 795: Botsford tl:ep.j },
145. l03: Elliot lPop.J, l4,9l'. The
ratio of Democrats to Populists was
rss than Il to |. In the Eastern tbs
tric;. where the Populist Withdrew as
ne result of Il l~aw-breaking deal. the
vote was. Bland Dem and Pop,
H. 81: Rombauer lI;ep.j. l59, l6S.
If the Populists in the same district
were in the same ratio Hombauer
would have been elected.
Here is one judicial district. inciud-
ing half the State, In which the Dem
Ccfats would have been beaten last
wear but for the purchased fusion.
Democratic State Chairman Cook ana
Democratic candidate Bland saw the
danger clearly. and their method Ut
averting it i Il matter OF record. y
party driven to such desperate shifts
and risks is on its last legs. The
virus of decay Is in its system and
the next campaign should finish The
debased and decrepit thing. What
bargains may be attempted hereafter
to renew the fusion time will reveal.
But their nature j. now understood
and honest voters revolt against them.
I The mass of Democrats and Popuilsis
are not in favor Of scil-ou,s by Do!it-
icai managers. nor vii. they tolerate
them. Voters IA general demand fair
elections aud regard corrupt practices
with abhorrcmce. The Democrats of
Missouri can see for themselves that
! .r.i. party is dying at the Top and Is
shaky throughout. - Globe-Demc'
crat
Election Notice.