Mexico weekly ledger., 1897-12-02
COOKS KIND OF FUSION.
1t is Not Thought Well of by an Ad-
ministration Organ-Some Facts
Stated by a Free Silver Paper. .

From the Rocheport MOI Commercial Dem)
We are very sorry to note that Sam
Cook, of the Mexico Intelligencer, and
Chairman the Democratic State Gem
trail Committee, has expressed himself
as strongly in favor Of fusion. Mr..
Cook speaks very authoritively as
though he, individually, represented
the Democracy of the entire State.
Perhaps he thinks he does but he is
mistaken. He does not carry the whole
State around in his inside pocket by
any means, and though he does occu-
Ply a high and honorable position, he
is after all only an individual. Sam
seems to have lost sight of this fact,
and is evidently laboring under the
delusion that he is the whole thing,
the attitude of innumerable Demo-
cratic newspapers to the contrary
Notwithstanding.
In the past Sam has made many
mistakes, and while we have over
looked many of them, there were
some so glazing that we had to make
mention of them. 1t has always ap-
peared to us that he was antagonistic
to the present administration and his
attitude bears us out in nj belief.
| When Gov. Stephens was attacked by
his enemies in a scandalous and vim
dictive manner, Sam Cook sat idly by,
and with the "silence that damns, "let
events take their course and not once
did he make an effort to defend the
man who had been honored by Free
Silver Democracy with the highest
office within the gift of tho people of
Missouri. Not q single article APP
peared in his paper supporting the
head of the administration, when vile
and calumnious ISLANDERS were being
circulated at the instigation of the
Goldbugs against him. No, Samuel
was mute.
For a man in his position his tactics
have been very peculiar to say the
least; and while he may be honest in
his actions, still we cannot endorse
them. We are not making any fight
on him, but simply criticising his
official acts. AS chairman he does
not fill the bill according to q ideas,
and we give him the benefit of the
doubt and lay it to his ignorance.
Had it not been for the immense
personal popularity of Lon v. Steph-
ems last fall Sam Cook and his meth
DDS would, we believe, undoubtedly
have defeated the free silver party in
Missouri last fall. But the Governor
made a personal fight, regardless of
Cook and the result was a majority Of
$4,000. We are sorry, but truth COM
pels us to say that Cook is a draw
back to the party.
He is being mentioned as a candidate
for Governor. To this we have moth
ing to say, only that if he should Sc
cure the nomination we would sup
port him just as strongly as we have
always supported the Democratic
nominee; but he is not our choice for
nomination.
A great trouble with Cook is his
inordinate conceit and egotism. He
has an idea he is the whole State COM
mittee himself; he treats other COM
mitteemen like they were 80 many
pimples on a hogs hind quarter. In
stead of comforting with the commit
tee Is to party policies he shoots of
his mouth, and then wants to rule out
anyone who don't agree with him.
This wont do, Sam. AS a candidate
for Governor, you have no right to
remain on the committee. 1t gives
you an advantage you are not en-
titled to. Resign. Be straight, and
the people will think more of you. If
there is to be fusion, and it meets
with the approval of the entire COM
mittee, then well and good; but you
have no right to the Democrats of
Missouri, and they propose to resent
it. When you speak sc authoritively
in the future be SURE that the commit
tee is with you. You appear to think
that the Democratic party is growing
weaker but you don't really think 30.
The Republicans of Miller county
have passed resolutions endorsing
your action. From this it is easy to
see which way the wind blows and
how sincere you are in your express
ion. For this display of seeming(
traitorism to the administration the
party should have al
good strong jackass to do some hard
kicking against your posterlor, and it
some brains and gratitude into your
brain-pan.