Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1899-11-09

matter for rs within the next quarter
of century to dethrone them.
42. "There are 1891 voting pre-
cincts in the State OF Missouri. Three
men would be required at q primary
at each precinct. Possibly here and
there men who have nothing else to
do could be found to work without
compensation, but In ninetyefive cases
out of hundred the judges, clerks,
etc., would have to be paid, and
ought to be paid. Each would be en-
titled $3.50 per day. This would cost
ell, ,639. .50-not including poll-books,
tickets, etc., etc. Who would pay the
freight II once adopted every State
nomination must be made by the pri-
mary plan, and this expense incurred
at every election.
43. sin States Like South Carolina,
Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and
Georgia, where there is practically no
Republican organization, where the
Democrats have majorities ranging
from 5000 to 100000, the primary
system might prove satisfactory-at
least for a short time. But in Mis-
souri, where there are between 600, 900
and 100000 voters, and where the ma
iority is not large, by the primary
plan the Democrats would have
everything to lose and nothing to
gain, and would be justified In being
anxious and apprehenslve.
"A. "Republican papers throughout
the State, ably assisted by the Ish-
maelitish Post Dispatch, which never
has kindly word to say OF a Demo-
crat-which delightsin bounding them
to their graves-are still strongly ad-
vocating the adoption of the primary
plan by the Democrats of Missouri. A
great commander once said: Find
out what the enemy wants you to do,
and then don't do it, / again warn |
the Democrats of Missouri against |
following the leadership of the St. |
Louis Post Dispdtch and the Republi- |
can press of the State.
45. "A primary leaves the party |
without organization and practically |
an unorganized mob. No army can |
fight to q successful finish without |
competent general, without officers in |
whom soldiers have confidence. No
man in Missouri has fought the pre-
tended bosses harder than /; no man
In the State is more despised by them
than /. The Missouri Democrats have |
practically eliminated bosses from
their organization. II the Democratic
party does not effectually kill of the |
bosses, the bosses will kill of the |
Democratic party. There is a differ
ence, however, between honored
leaders and tyranical, red-nosed bos-
ses, which should be understood.
IS. "Before change In the estab- |
lished and time-honored custom of
selecting our candidates lie made 1t
should be upon the unanimous in
dorsement of the Democrats of the
State. About o hundred OF the inhu-
ential Democratic papers of the State
oppose the innovation. Many of our
prominent and honored leaders, in
cluding Senators Vest and Cockrell, |
oppose 10. UnIess we have united
and harmonious party behind the
movement it ought not to be for
moment seriously considered.
AZ. "The majority of the Democrats
in Missouri have, since the organiza-
tion of the party, favored the con-
vention plan Of selecting candidates
and have indorsed and ratified the
work OF the conventions. II both |
sides Of the primary question are pre-
sented now to the Democrats OF
Missouri fairly and honestly, am
satisfied large majority of the party |
will oppose a change at this time. We
can always afford to trust the people
Ito be governed by the wishes of
the majority Thomas Jefferson,
along these lines, said: III we are
faithful to our country, II we acqui-
esce with good will In the decisions OF |
the majority and the nation moves
en- masse in the same direction, al |
though It may not be that which |
every individual thinks best, we have |
nothing to fear from any quarter
4s. "WhiIe our majorities at the
last two elections we're substantial,
still we cannot afford to take chances. |
Missouri gave Marmaduke but 10,946
majority; it gave Francis 1928 plu-
rallty; Judge Robinson-RepublIcan-
was elected In 1894 by S,104 plurality |
The slightest blunder might prove
fatal. A change of one or two votes
In each precinct could lose us the
State. Gan we afford to tamper with
sacred things; can we afford to ex-
pertinent, especially during a presI-
Dental campaign9
40. ga change at this time, after
the sweeping indictment by many of
the friends of the primary of Demo-
Gratis both living and dead, who have
been sent as delegates to the various
State conventions within the last
thirty or forty years, would be an ao-
knowledgement upon the part of the
Democratic party OF Missouri that
these delegates were buns, beats,
hoodlums, traitors; that they had
proven untrue to their trusts and
TO their friends and constituents. All
these things have been charged
against them by those who favor the
primary.
80. "The mere agitation of this pri-
mary question is conducive to party
dfatntaorakinu II raathara uom mot