Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-04-27
What has the Governor Done?


The people of the State are growing
exceeding tired of the persistent and
malicious war that has been waged
against Governor Stephens from the
very beginning of his administration.
Its purpose is well understood. It's
sole object and aim is to create dissen-
sion among Democrats and eventually
turn the State over to the tender mer-
cies of the ugly crowd that has made
loot of the public offices of the city for
so many years past, the vilest and
most consclenceless gang that ever
foisted itself upon helpless aud trust
ing public; which has laid a debt of
more than twenty millions on the
shoulders of ST. Louis taxpayers;
which has Systematically and persist
emily robbed the city treasury and
'tassimilatedn the taxes for personal
riot and enrichment. while the public
buildings and good streets which a
Democratic administration bequeathed
to US have been allowed to decay and
rot, until they have reached condi-
ton which is both disgraceful and dan
gerous. This gang is the legitimate
successor of the same old crowd that
looted the State as they are now rob-
bing the city, until when they were
driven out of Office and place by an in
dignant populace, they had not only
cleaned out full treasury, but left
crooked debt of more than 20,000,0 900
for the succeeding Democratic admin
istrations to pay. These are matters
of history, with which every intelli-
gent citizen of the State is familiar.
1t was to be expected that every lit
tie yelping and yowling and snarling
coyote that roams the alkaline wastes
of Republicanism and Goldbugism,
would show his teeth and howl at
Democratic Governor-any Democratic
Governor. They did it when Stone
was Governor, and also when Marina
duke, and Crittenden, and Hardin, and
all the rest of them sat in the chair of
State. But the surprise comes in when
great manly, broad-minded, generous
hearted Democratic editors join in the
fracas and add to the confusion caused
by these NANCY distributors of the
heas and vermin of politics. 1t is time
for Democratic editors to shake the
dust off their feet and get out of the
infectious crowd. Go fumigate your
selves and get health certificate.
What has Governor Stephens done
to merit such abuse? He has appoint
ed his wife's relations to Office, say
some. The charge is too puerile and
contemplate for manly men to talk
about. If these relations are good
citizens and capable, and perform their
duties honestly and faithfully, what
ground have others for objection?
Washington, and Adams, and Grant,
and great many others committed the
same fault, if fault it be. On the 9TH
er hand, Jefferson refused to appoint
any relative, on either side of his fam
lily, to any Office whatever; but all
men are not Jeffersons. The offense
is certainly forgiveable, considering
the precedents. He appointed Brady,
say others. That was really grave
offence. But he also appointed Geo.
W. Jones, the purest and ablest man
that ever filled the Office of Election
Commissioner. Suppose we conceal
Brady with Jones, and call it even.
Besides, there are other considerations.
The Mayor had the appointment of one
Election Commissioner, and everybody
knew what kind of citizen would get
the place. His name is Wurzburger,
the translation of which we believe is,
the worst of the Burghers. 1t was
precisely such an appointment as the
public expected. Some good Demo-
Gratis thought it would not be amiss to
set ferret to catch a rat, and with
this object in view they advised the
Governor to make the Brady appoint
ment. We think it was bad politics,
and we have reason for believing that
the Governor regrets it as much as any
other good citizen. SinaiLa sinstttbus
curantur may be all right in the prac-
tice of medicine, but it can hardly be
considered a success in Office holding.
The asylum trouble is purely medical
an incident of the ire
pressible conflict between two hostile
schools, with the Governor in the role
of victim. 1t Is his misfortune that he
got into fracas of that kind.
When Stephens was elected he prom
ised the people of the State a good,
honest, business administration, and he
is keeping his word. He has done and
is doing all that he promised, and it is
time TO let up in this fight on the Gov
ernor The people are tired of 1t.
There is no just ground for it. and it
is hurting the State. It is giving US
a badness of reputation abroad that we
by no means deserve, and all good
citizens are heartily sick of the whole
business Taltey Democrat and Jour
nal Of Agriculture.