The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-29
REPUBLICAN RANK
and FILE WEARY,
Lassitude and Goodness Alarm
Present Republican Leaders
/ in Missouri.
DESPERATE REMEDIES IN VIEW.
Kerens and Atkins Cannot Agree
Who Shall Spend the Money
A hsence of Old Leaders
a Handicap.

The lasatude OF tn. rank and file Of the
party in Missouri at the beginning Of a
campaign was never Eel: by the Republican
State COMMITTEES more than il is al present.
There has been such little enthusiasm
shown that something serious il contem-
plated by the State Committee 70 inject
new life into the party. Missouri Repub-
Ncans have had their hopes dashed to the
ground so often in the past that # has
taken 'h3 spirit our of them. All over the
State such conditions of sOninambulism are
apparent that it viii he the hardest kind Of
work this year to Set Republicans to the
polls at all.
Even the reported expenditure Of 900 or
$1,000 does not seem 90 have alIayed the
fears af Chairman Atkins Of the State Com
mi-je". Then there IS some doubt as to
who Will handle the funds to he allotted to
the State. Mr.. Kerens is unwilling to trust
that received from the National Committee
IN III" hands Of the State Committee. lie
does not care ia furnish money by means
e which his opponents in the party ranks
may heat hin on the head at some oppor-
tune lime iu the future. Mr.. Atkins declares
that if the state Committee is conducting
the State campaign the funds properly
should go through his hands
Colonel tlOry. the GIaGT!cyCie nominee for
Governor has been figuring between Chi
caEo. Canton and =. Louis without consult
FMS either Mr.. Ktrens or Mr.. Atkins. He
wants m. money expended IN his own be-
hail while Mr. Atkins would slump the
whole fund into the congressional fights.
What Mr.. ke-cns proposes to do Is not
known. but il is possible that he will try
the same special train idea that worked
80 successfully. from his standpoint. four
years ago. This Is by tar the easiest method.
-Four years ago 10y that scheme To attract
the unwaIy voter the sum OF 5000 was
spent in les than two days.
As an evidence Of ia" lack OF interest
manifested hy the RI pUbiicans in the APP
preaching campaign tn" recent meeting of
the State Republican League IN ST Louis Is
| REID up. At that meeting. which was said
ko be az organization OF Republicans Of the
StaLt. only twenty delegates outside the city
OF -. Luis We're present. Six congressional
districts had no delegates present. and the
roll was stuffed ~ make up list OF dele
gates 10 the -. Paul con, rIir:on. AT the
s.. Paul meeting not morS tnan ten dele
Rates we're present, outside the few sent
FROM -. Louis ana Kansas City. These
latter did not 80 50 much as delegates to
the meeting, but TO secure the convention
Tor either one city or the OtEei.
The Republican Stale Nominating Con-
vcntivu was the tlmest for years. There
WIS rot a contest OF any warmth between
the candidates for places on the State ticket
Tie ticket. outside of Porteri!ed ard ORAL
Ion ia composed OF men never heard OF be-
1fil" II t4lt fHt.iAti-S u Aiat FeiL l.. VI
Held was cons!dercd d very lame duck.
but ne secured the nomination Tor Secre-
tary Of STATE without effort. O'Fsllon was
nominated for Attorney General because no
otir-r Republican would stand foc it. II
waE literally forced on him at the last
minute.
The-ahsence of the old-timers in Repub-
licaa circles on either the State ticket or
the state Committee is food for thought.
With William Warner. Z. l. Filley, +. 3.
BrCWEtli. {. Z. Parsons O'Bannon Of Dali
las County. Boyd Dudley and Billy Leepet
% North Missouri. and Byrd Duncan %
Poplar Bluff out of the councils of the par
~ il appears to have las wings clipped
clear 70 the shoulder blade.