The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1901-05-16
MR.. COOKS VIEWS.
To the Editor of the Mail.


Jefferson Bity, Mo, May I, l9ol- s.
i am in receipt of your letter. ask o
ing my opinion of 1.-The necessity LOT U
another Fertile Springs conven-
ton
In order that this question may pe
answered intelligently it is necessa- I
~. | think to compare party cohui-
+ions in Missouri now with those eX-
listing in 1898.
In the latter year the Democracy
WAS confronted with national au-
ministration chosen by democratic
votes, acting in open hostility 10 'he
convictions of an overwhelming ma
iority of the party in this state.
The party machinery, both nation
al and state, was dominated by Uhs
national administration.
In large number OF counUles Vi
this state the party machinery was
under the same influence.
Then a great party principle was
;o,vad with the masses OF the par
nv On one side and the party machih-
cry on the other ob
That there should be, under such
na;+;ons widespread discomfort
nostive demand for party reorgahi-
cation and a declaration OF party
principles, was but natural.
. What are the conditions to-day?
The marty organization nationally
o was selected at the convention WHICH,
unanimously nominated Mr. Bryan
> In Missouri, the party machinery
ia IN thorough accord with the rank
10 and file of the organization.
r. We have Just came out OF a cam
a;rp in which Missouri Democrats
made the proudest record OF any
il. o+ate in the Union. There was ne
n faltering. no going back, no surreh
ke dor Of principles in this state.
ID Why then the need OF reorgahlZd
IT. +ion or re-affirmation OF party prln
tie ciples by an extraordinary CONVEX r
IS. t;on in Missouri so soon upon III
L. heels of this splendid victory?
Does the fact that in the electio
If q Worlds Fair mayor IN 81 Lou
business interests were placed par'
"a mount to party considerations MAJ
"a snch an extraordinary conVeh'i'
Cd necessary!
~, Or let us go further and supPo
~ that business considerations h I
~ nothing to do with the result III
Ior;a Int on the contrary, the eli
~ +;on of the democratic nominee i"
,rn the result OF a determination on
mart of certain persons VINO nave Il
IN recent campaigns supported
democracy, to get control OF pai
ong affairs III '''''
policies. ..,o-o o
If snch purpose exists, is there a
1o,,b+ Of the ability of the Mlsso
state democracy to take care Vi
ooh self? ,
'coo tho forces which made
'oi q orri the banner democratic sta't
nsSi tho Tnion in 90. and which retal
'u' this proud distinction for the 81
pos - 1000 to be demoralized and II
'ne "a nv this ST. Louis contingent
II Vi l. saams to me that those
lenee s+ond in fear and trembling OF
stern . result know very little OF either
49, temper, the convictions OF the 9
lneis aga Of the Missouri democracy
&c" What could such convention
this time? -
Are we to assemble Tor the
pleas nose OF solemnly declaring 'hat
h on are afraid the three congress-
that is districts comprising the city oi
IS , tnS Iouis are going TO domlua 'e
' ton thor thirteen districts OF the st
tional have seen no evidence OF the
I 5ak sbe on the part OF the great mass Oh
e sys- state democracy. Experience
dation demonstrated. time and again,
luton luton +be state democracy can give OF
work : s,,;s friends cards and spades
II ,'h on IN heat them out in any pon''eai
that II test. s,1ar,
tiTnon- ra are not TO declare
/ Co., VI = our ability TO cops
7sc. doubts az -