The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1900-12-06
A FLATTERING ENDORSEMENT.
ST. Louis and Missouri Democracy Dem.
enstrate Their Approval of the
Official Conduct Of Governor
SfanhaaS
From the State Tribune.

Ever since the election of Lon Y
Stephens as governor of Missouri in
1896, when he smashed { he cherished
hopes OF the republicans by defeating
their candidate, Lewis, by an over
whelming majority, certain republi-
can papers-amOng them the nOtori-
ously mendacious Globe-Democrat,
have persistently vilifed, abused and
misrepresented him and all OF his Of
fetal acts No public official can con
sistently object to reasonable and
decent criticism: but when such criti-
cism degenerates into vindictive and
malicious lying, the subject OF its at
tack Is certain to rise, sooner or
later, i'll the public estimation. Ii
there Is one trait more prominent
than another i'll the character OF the
American people it is their love Il
fair play, and this is especially true
of the citizens OF Missouri, as was
clearly and emphatically demon
strated by the results OF the election
in this state on Nov. 8.
When the Nesbit election law and
the st. Louis police law We're pending
in the last legislature they would
have failed Of enactment but for the
earnest and effective efforts OF Gov
ernor Stephens, and when they were
passed he Immediately approved
them aud they became laws. The re-
publican press at once accused him
of playing the political boss and OF
desiring to build up political ma
chine, and these carping calumina-
tors have persistently kept up this
tune. When the st. Louis street rail
way strike began these same news
papers and the republican officials of
that city harrassed and importuned
the governor to order out the state
militia to shoot down the striking
emplOyes. He steadfastly refused to
do so, at the same time informing
them that they had in the machinery
OF their city government full and sui
ticient power TO suppress all turbu-
lence. Then they demanded that he
order ont the troops, and kept up so
noisy a TRADE that their kindred
press throughout the east echoed
their abuse by accusing Missouri 4,
governor of cOnniving with riot and
disorder. Governor Stephens re-
manned firm in his conviction that he
was pursuing the proper course, and
events have since abundantly vindi
Gated the sound Judgment OF his ac
ton.
In 1896, through the machina tions
OF the corrupt republican ring which
has held sway in that city for years
the democratic state ticket was beat.
en- in st. Louis by over $1,000 votes
and i'll 1898 the trick was repeated
and only four democratic represent.
tives and one senator were elected
The crushing blow administered 10
this ring by the sweeping and gIori-
Gus democratic victory in St. Louis
on November 6 proves not only q
vindication of the wisdom OF the gov
ernors action in approving those
laws, but is at the same time a fiat
tering Endorsement of his official acts
by d large majority OF the best citi-
zens of that city, aud the same is
true of the result throughout the
state The republicans made the
most energetic and aggressive cam
paign they have put up for years:
their press and speakers lied without
stint and did their utmost TO tear 10
shreds the reputation OF the whole
democratic state administration:
corrupt means and coercion of every
species known to commercial politi
clans were resorted to. nOtwithstanC
ing all of which Missouri : credit and
integrity as a state are tirmer and
grander than ever. and her democ
racy has won the greatest victory il
the states history. Governor Stepl.
ems is an earnest, enthusiastic demo
crat. whose pride in his party's priu
ciples prompts him to persistent
never-ceasing efforts for their adj
vancement. He is an indefatiga ble
worker, possessing keen and quick
perception of details and wonder
full capacity for their mastery. While
he has discharged the manifold and
arduous duties incumbent upon him
as the chief executive promptly. euer.
geticanv and with DISTINGUISHED