The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-10-31

hooters and pirates. and what is perhaps
worse. stigmatizes them as the Ogden gas
crowd" he has said he never ever wSuid sh.a sse slse
gas crowd" The Ogden gas crowd made
no open reply. but the WORK OF otganizins
Tilden clubs proceeded with increased vigor;
and when IL was stated that Burke had
been released by the Circuit Judges from
criminal Indictment the promise was mace
of some kind. So 1t seems that the opposing
faction TO Mr.. Burke is saving wood ana
proposes to fulfill a threat to drive Burke
be said of Burke and Harrison, don't be-
lieve they ever boted the ticket.
The principal objection to the manner OF
| that the party. In the State is involved by
Chairman Hopkins. II the rural Democrats
were not disheartened and discourage a
, enough by the events in politics since 1882,
there must be frebrand thrown into their
i midst In this idiotic and personal contest in
Cook County. Under such conditions what
any. county in the State TO shuck their
coats and begin moving down the enemy?
Why should a Democratic farmer or mer-
chant in the country unite his weaseisKin
and pour hard-earned dollars into the lap OF
State organization that is incompetent.
narrow and suptemely selfish? What do the
principles or success? II they can secure
strangiehold on the organization OF the
State and steer it into still waters. they
will have better chance to trade and buy
and put into Cook County offices creatures
of their own. The average Cook County
leader would sell every State Office and the
ticket in Cook County. This applies with
equal force to Republicans as well as DEM
ocrats.
The quality Of present Democratic leader
ship NAV be understood when / recall the
time last April wnen Democratic Senators
might have made doubtful senatorial dis
trict. Originally Montgomery was attached
to Madison and Bond by the Republican
managers. and the Democrats voted with
one faction Of Republican Senator'S 10 di-
yorce MONTGOMERY and add it to Macoupin
and Greene. Attorney General Hamlin sue
ceeded In having Shelby placed with the
Champaign. Coles and Macon. This was op-
posed by the Democrats. although ii re-
duced the Republican majority from about
district. Figures were given to the Demo
cratic leaders on duty showing the advan-
tages to the party In these two districts.
cance Of the changes.
Take your figures to Senator Mahoney."
they said. Mr.; Mahoney agreed with the
cratic State Committee maintained an office
at Springfield during the recent session OF
the Legislature. to be Of assistance to the
It accomplished for the party would be
interesting. and would Ike to read IT.
Radical Change Seems Urgent.
State elections. There is no hope in the
political sky for next year. unless radical
change in methods and material is made.
The party in the State should at once purge
itself OF Cook County domination. Cook
County politicians have no interest in State
politics. State politics IS a mere incident
with them. They would resent any inter-
ference with their local matters by State
committee. Yet their leaders NEEDLE ana
attempt to control country politics Tney
the result. The party has been Involved
with Cook County quarreIs in the past-it
Is now involved. and repeat, unless there
Is radical change, the party will get
worse drubbing next year than 1t got in
Of this article. the Conditions con- ne are s over.
compiishins results. 'De -'
The The quality Of lsader,hip must be ele;
IRON md nf nafSsnRni ieM Plane aseGanse%ens "a
to questions Of principles and policies. A
man should not get a place on the State
committee or an omce of trust anu
responsibility because he is needy or is the
weak creature Of party boss. He should
ABOUT Democrats who vote and work. but
do not hold Office. Will hold up their heads
among men and go out among the enemy
and SOW thistles and cockleburrs and in
the end they will rejoice. even If defeated,
for they will have fought good fight for
right principles and good men.
The good old Book tells a story that illus
trates the manner of Democratic politics
In late years. Ahaz and Ahab went on a
Journey one day and when they reached a
wood one OF them encircled the other with
his left arm. remarking: rs It well with
thee. my brother?' and stuck a knife into
his vitals beneath the fifth rib
J. L. PICKERING.