Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-01-12
THR MISSOURI LEGISLATURE.
A MEXICO MANS RECENT oBsER-
yaTIoNs AT THE STATE
CAPITAL
Organization Of Delibsrative Bodies a
Peculiar and Gifted Power "A
Few Words Commend
atOry Of Hon. c.
r. Clark.


JEFFERSON CITY, Jan. 6.-When
your correspondent arrived at the
Capital City, q week ago to-day, but
few members of either branch Of the
Legislature had arrived and quietude
prevailed. The few who had come
were very busy taking their bearings,
putting ''this and that" together and
mapping out their course in the
organization of the House and SEN
ate. To one who has never had any
thing to do with the organization Of
deliberative bodies, these quiet chats
and frequent interviews and 81 really
don't know policy on the part Of
certain members appears meaningless
and of no value. There the legisla-
tive novice lie most eg~regioEsly mis-
taken. These "quiet chats,n ETC., are
the groundwork Of the organization
structure, and, il iudiclously directed,
they seldom fail to produce satis-
factory results.
There are but few men fitted by
nature and gifted with that peculiar
power 30 essential to success In or
ganization. 1t is a great power and
never fails to attract attention and
command respect whenever and
wherever It lie manifested; and it dc.
serves applause from all who witness
its manifestation.
There Is no man connected with the
General Assembly who welded more
influence and gave mort power in d.
recting the organization Of the House
Of Representative than did Andrain's
Representative. He came here early,
untrammelled by any promise or obll-
cation to any one OF the army Of place
hunters. He was absolutely uncom-
mltted to any candidate for the higher
places. He quietly took his bearings,
marked out his course, chose his can
didates for the various places, and
then went to work in a quiet, system
attic, methodical and "eyerlastingly''
persistent manner, talking pleasantly
and effectively with each Representa-
tive until he formed a "base." He
then got his i~eutenants to work in
his way, and before the sun set on
Monday evening everybody was talk
ing about Cy. Clark and Audrair
county-what an effective man he lie
what an influence he had won by hi
systematic and intelligent and persist
emit methods, how Mr.. Wards cam
paign for the speakership had beer
90 enectually managed. One gentle
man remarked in your correspond
ent'e hearing that he had never seeI
such q shrewd, pushing and deter
mined-to-win man in all his life; tina
he was not only 3 ''gum-shod," but
ss~soft-voiced and velvet-headed" hus'
tier; and, withal, q thorough gentle
man. 1t was, or seemed to be, Lh'
general opinion here that If 3 dead
lock should be reached in the Speak
erahip race, hir. Clark would hav'
been elected in a few minutes.
Audrain has good reason TO b
proud of her Representative. He vii
do good work in the House this ses
sion. While he may rot enter thu
House with IN oratorical display, fol
he makes no pretensions in that di'
rectien, in the committees he will bs
felt. It seems to be generally con-
ceded that he win be chairman Of tbs
Ways and Means COMMITTEES, the lead
ing committee Of the House.
Mr.. Bohart, Of Clinton, one Of tbs
young members Of the House, is Al
unusually bright and talented young
man. He was Mr.. Clark's "righ'
bower in the management of Mr.
Wards campaign, andshe showed NJ
spiendidly in his work. His speech II
the Democratic caucus seconding the
nomination OF Mr.. Ward was highl,
credltable TO him and marked him az
good speaker, and If he VIII keep Il
his seat and not get on his feet to-
much during the session, he viii maxi
reputation of which his constituent
viii be proud.
The speakership contest brought h
the front some bad blood, which al
conservative men deeply regret
Whether Governor Stephens took
hand IN the contest or not, you
asdeponent" saith not; but, OF on
thing be lie perfectly satisfed-tha
after the fight was on Governor steph
ems couldn't go anywhere else thai
10 Ward. He was bound to go b
Ward He couldn't help it, BE wa
driven to him. The r'cut and stab
between Mr.. Oonklin and Governo
Stephens IL deeply regretted by al
good men, and it Is hoped that it ha
been dropped.
The members zen to realize tn
great work before them, and afte
they are placed on the various com
mittsss they win settle down 10 busi
ness; and your correspondent hope
and now believes that thie Legislatur'
viii deserve and receive the plaudit
OF tie people Of Imperial Missouri,
O. T. ALLEN.