The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-19
IN ESSENCE THE SANE

Missouri voters can better estimate the
moral value of the Globe Democrats An
anias campaign on elections and the
School Fund by reading Chairman
Akins's weekly paper, which is designed
for inside circulation among the faith
full.
In every issue Atkins calls upon his
ieutenants to ignore national issues in
Missouri and whoop it up on State is
sues. His new theory for next year is
that it's Of no use to fight on the Re
publican national policy in this State,
where the people are devotedly attached
to Democratic principles. He Is going
to try the experiment Of purely State
campaign. To do this he and his crowd
OF spoils hunters must invent q few
bowls.
All this Atkins urges every week in his
paper. He does not cover up his design
and does not pretend that there is much
sincerity in the howls so far emitted.
I'VE are out to win," he says, "and Re
publican national issues don't win in
Missouri. We must try something else
Take the Globe Democrats bowls, as
explained by Akins's semiconfidential
circulars - that is what his weekly
amounts to-and the Republican pro-
gramme for capturing the State next
year is explained.
Time and again the reckless falsehoods
Of the Globe-Democrats crusade against
the State School Fund management have
been exposed. The foolish inconsistent
cies Of its election fraud" campaign
have also been laid bare. But it inva-
rfably goes back to where it began. and
sets up the same old series Of baseless.
statements.
Relieved Of all rubbish, the election
fraud issue now presents one question
whether Judge Marshalrs decision pro-
tecting the secrecy of the ballot is or is
not good law and sound policy. Posi-
bly, the GlObeDemocrat is not in this
case moved by the Republican love of
mOneyed trusts and selfish combina-
tons. 1t may be that the fight Of the
Globe upon secrecy Of the ballot is a
mere incident of local partisanship.
There is none the less significance in the
fact that, while the national Republican
party Is ruthlessly pursuing a course in
tended to overthrow the doctrine Of gov
eminent by consent of the governed. the
organs Of Republicanism in Missouri are
trying to destroy that secrecy of the bal
lot which has been the poor mans bull
wark in preserving the virtue and in
dependence of popular suffrage.
1t is worth noting that nationally and
locally the Republican efforts fit exactly
the old Federalist belief-never surren-
dered-that the masses cannot be safely
trusted with political power.
In the management Of the State School
Fund the Democratic party was COM
PEELED by the maturity Of old United
States bonds to invest in Missouri State
bonds or accept in behalf of the fund q
very low rate Of interest. BY the APP
preaching maturity of State bonds, and
the premium they commanded in the
market. it was afterwards compelled to
find some other form Of investment. The
fund was invested in State certificates.
equivalent to bonds in security, and
with a high rate Of interest purposely
guaranteed In order that the education
Of the common people might be literally
provided for in a way beyond the acei-
dents of the bond market.
Stripped Of casuistry, the Globe-Demo-
Gratis contention logically requires q
change Of the investment to United
States bonds paying about 2 per cent In
terest-a reduction of income amounting,
say, to two-thirds.
Note again that this demand fits the
old Federalist theory that the common
people should not be educated ''aboye
their station
Somehow the Republican party always
manages, whatever the professions Of its
platforms, to be operating policy of
uplifting the powerful and suppresslnS
| the common people.
When brought all together and grouped
for inspection, the three Republican
| strivings-against the Declaration of IN.
dependence, against secrecy Of the bal.
lot and against a liberal income for pub.
| lie schools-seem to indicate q grand re.
| vival of Alexander Hamilton's opposi.
| ton to democratic forris Of Ssvcrnlneht
| 1t may be admitted that conspira y
against popular education and universal
suffrage seems incredible in this genera
ton, but changes in American policy
held Incredible three years ago have
happened.
Federalism has stubbornly held its
own for q century in the minds Of Ger
tain classes. Admiration of aristocracy
and monarchy, Of militariu'n and pdter
nalism, has plainly spread Of late. Any
how, we repeat that the only three
earnest and loud contentious Of The Mis-
souri, Republicans could not be put into
practical success without giving set
back to the progress of the common PEG
pie in education, free suffrage and con
troll Of government. The fact Is interest
ing, whether OF not 1t l:seans c,uch.
Atkins says: Fool the Missourians Will
State issues" And the Globe Democrat
howls. Yet, in nation ail Stale. Repub
licans seem to like the business Of de
stroying the power of the people. II
State and nation they stick to their ole
love and their old hate.
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