Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1900-02-21
Young Republicans.

No class in the country have
more reason to feel dissatisfied with
the political situation in their state
than the young men of Missouri.
They have grown up under q fos-
SLED ring that is deaf and blind to
everything except the narrowest
party bigotry, which it plays upon
for selfish interests. The young
men of the country see unfolding
before them an era of wonderful
national expansion. Turning to
Missouri they witness nothing but
obstruction and a snarling reaction
ary spirit. They behold petty,
self-scching politician in the Gov
ernor's chair, whose idea of elo-
quence is to address Il convention
of Governors as ''sapient sons of
sainted sires," and who, if less
cunning and mischievous, would be
simply a laughing stock. They
find a legislature fixing up patron
age for itself when not passing the
laws marked for approval by a
lobby whose term of power at the
state capital never runs ont. Mis-
souri, is governed by few Demo-
cratic ringsters in combination
with Il lobby which comes and
goes at jefferson City during
session according to its financial
stake in pending legislation. When
ever the lobby wants anything the
button is touched. it gathers at the
capital, and never has it failed to
get from the legislature precisely
what it asked.
In Congress the influence of Mis-
souri, is against all forms of broad
national advancement. The two
Senators voted against the annexa-
ton of Hawaii, though geograph-
icaliy the Islands are but an out
post of this country. Cockrell and
Vest voted against the treaty with
Spain. They are opposed to keep
ing the Philippines. This week
their votes will be recorded against
the gold standard, though it is
now recognized by almost every
nation on earth. Through the fa-
tality and fatuity that 60 with the
Bourbon spirit these two Senators
will be found pulling back when
ever the United States, responding
to the natural impulse of its rapid
growth and to the worlds constant
development, starts ahead in any
direction. In the two houses of
Congress Missouri has seventeen
votes. OF these fourteen are Dem
ocratic and serve merely for mega
ton, to block the wheels, to cramp
national aspiration, to throw cold
water on the patriotic spirit, to i'm
pedc every onward movement and
to open a fire in the rear.
1t is no wonder that the young
men of Missouri are organising to
get away from the long era of po-
litical seltishness and pctrification.
The young Republicans of the state
have associated themselves to pro-
mote mutual acquaintance and vigor-
Gus effort to redeem the state.
Making and unmaking tickets and
platforms is not their business.
Their mission is to advance Repub-
licanisn,, particularly in this state,
with its ancient burden Of ringster
Bourbonism, its small-bore mu-
tual benefit gang of manipulators
and lobbyists at Jefferson City, its
horribly incompetent and crooked
Legislatures and its congressional
objectors and marplots. A wide
field is open to the young Republi-
cans of Missouri. The '|first vo-
ters'' will be strongly in evidence
in this important political year.
Between the party of action and
achievement and that blocking the
way the choice IS easy, especia lily
for those On the threshold of their