Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1898-12-29
AS TO GOVERNOR STEPHENS.

AZ ecoub s1ranRo 10 us GAbdhh
that some Missouri politicians persist
in nisrepresenting and trying to dis
credit the administration Of the DEM
ocratic Governor of the State Of Mis-
sourI. Some politicians VINO claim to
think you commit the nnpardonable
sin II you criticise them or any OF their
aots are making il their business to
peruIstentIy misrepresent Governor
Stephens and his administration. The
LEDGER does not believe that Gov
ernor is above criticism by the peo-
pie. Al the same time it is, TO say
the least, political folly for Democrats
who can not use the Governor at their
own sweet viii to misrepresent and
Witty him personally and politically.
We ind too much personal abuse
among politicians in the Democratic
party. We no sooner elect q Pres
ident, Governor, Congressman, county
officer, or Constable than some of
those politicians, who can not get
spoiIs or Office, begin to misrepresent
and, ifpossible, break down the ad-
ministration Of every man they have
helped elect to office. The Democratic
party can not hope to succeed until its
leaders get above such jealousy.
Frank and honest criticism Is always
invited by those who hold office, or,
at least, should be, but when it comes
to nasty, under-handed, sneaking
viliflcaticn frem Democratic politi-
cians, because they fail to get the
crumbs from the pie counter, the
rank and file Of the party become
disguised. There is something more
in Democracy than spoils and personal
chickering's. The rank and file support
the party because ID represents great
principles, and not to keep political
howlers In whiskey, tobacco and
bread. Referring to the attempt to
organize the Legislature against him,
Governor Stephens says:
81 have no candidate for the posi-
tion OF speaker, nor has the state ad-
ninistration, as II is claimed. OF
course, we all have our friends. No
man should be chosen speaker aimply
because he is an administration man,
nor should he be chosen simply be-
cause he is an 'antir administration
man, Merit alone should win in
contest OF this character. The cleo
tion OF man, whoever he may be,
who runs as an anti administration
candidate upon platform OF general
hostility, means constant friction be-
tween the House and the Executive.
It means the organization of the House
and Its committees against everything
the executive and the administration
favor, whether meritorious or not. 1t
means the crippling of every in
stitution and state interest; 1t means
blocking OF all legislation. II means
the destruction Of that party unity
and harmony always so essential
which has just helped us win mag
nificent victory in Missouri.
81 cannot believe that any Of the
Democrats of Missouri, even though
they do not indorse my administra-
tlon, win 60 TO such extreme limits to
punish my associates or myself by
destroying their party. 1t will do the
state, as well as the party, inoalculable
harm, and trust the calamity will be-
sverted BY the election OF any one Of
the many candidates who are running
upon their merits as good citizens and
trusted Democrats, who have only the
good Of the state and party at heart
and who want to see Democrats
triumph in 1900, who haven't knives
up their sleeves for other Democrats
and who want to be placed where they
can build up, rather than tear down
and destroy.
"oi course, the Republicans, gold
Democrats and the disappointed office
seekers will attempt to organize the
House and Senate and embarrass Us
at every point, and make the session
q farce and failure, and in the next
campaign give this as reason why
the Democrats could not be trusted
and why they ought to be driven from
power In Missouri. -