Hutchinson gazette., 1901-04-18
A DISASTROUS VICTORY,

NfHFHAF NNNN't
In the election OF Mr. Wells as
mayor Of st, Louis, the reorganizcrs
have scored a triumph. The democrats
of ST, Louis and Missouri WILL how
ever, find It worth their while TO cal-
oulate the cost of the victory and to
prepare for the struggle that awaits
them,
In November, 1900, the republican
national ticket received 60,6O8 votes In
ST. Louis, and the democratic national
ticket, which Mr., Wells refused to
support, received 509il, At the re-
cent city election Mr. Wells received
43,Ol2 votes-nearly seventeen thou
sand less than the democratic vote OF
last fall, while Mr. Parker, the repub-
llcan candidate for mayor, received 3i,-
$40 yotes-about twenty-slx thousand
less than the republican vote of last
fall, Mr., Merrlwether, democrat In
national politics running upon q mu-
nicipal ownership platform, received
90,66S votes and Mr. Filley, n rcpubli-
can running on an independent ticket
received 2,068 votes. IL will be seen
that the total vote cast for mayor was
large for a local contest, amounting
to about ninety per cent OF the vote
cast last fall. II Mr.. Wells and Mr.,
Parker had polled the same proper
tion of the total vote that the national
candidates Of their parties polled In
1900, Mr., Wells would have received
about $4,000 votes and Mr., Parker
about $500,
1t Is impossible TO ascertain how
many democrats voted for Mr.. Merri-
wether and how many voted for Mr.,
Parker, just as II is impossible.to say
how many republicans voted for Mr.
Wells and how many for Mr.. Merri-
wether, but 1t is reasonable to suppose
that the republican vote which left Mr..
Parker went largely to Mr., Wells,
while the democratic vote which left
Mr.. Wells went principally to Mr.
Merrlwether,
Mr. Wells lost at least twelve thou
sand den. cratic votes, II he gained no
republican votes, and TO this must be
added a sum equal to the republican
votes received. II, for instance, he re-
ceived 10000 republican votes the ac-
count would stand thus; For Wells,
3S 900 democratic votes and 10000 re-
publican votes-total $4,000 votes, But
this would show a loss Of $4,000 demo-
cratic votes; can the reorganlzers AZ
ford to trade $4,000 democratic votes,
good at all elections, for 10000 republi-
can votes, good only in local elections
and when a republican Is nominated
on the democratic ticket?
II Mr.. Wells only received 5000 re-
publican votes, the account would
stand. Wells $4,000 democratic votes
and 5000 republican votes-total, 49,
900. This would show loss OF sew
enteen thousand democratic votes, or
an exchange of three democrats for one
republican, Is there anything In this
victory TO boast Of? II the democrats
who voted for Mr.. Merriwether had
followed the example set by Mr.. Wells
and voted the republican ticket, Mr..
Parker would have been elected by a
considerable majority.
But what OF the future? The Re-
public with commendable frankness
recommends a national application Of
the st. Louis plan Of harmonizing, 1t
says;
"St. Louis has supplied the example
OF a thoroughly united democracy.
With little evidence of reluctance all
elements Of the party Joined hands In
the recent campaign. They worked to-
gether harmoniously and voted with
out scatching.
ITO obtain national ascendency this
unlhcaton must proceed heartily all
over the country.
with a united democracy the party
is certain to win the next national
election. The republican party has
drfted so far away from American
principles that the revolt Of the people
will be overwhelming when the forces
naturally democratic are found acting
together.
"The st. Louis democracy has set Its
face to the future. Give us such a union
of popular forces in all the states and
the next national election will be from
that moment won,'
This is exactly what might have
been expected. Mr., Wells was not
nominated because the reorganizers
were especially interested In a good
municipal government; he was nomi-
rated because he represents a corpor-
ate element which calls itself demo-
cratic, as q matter Of habit, but gives
its pocuniary and political support to
the republican party. 1t will never. be
found supporting a democratic ticket
unless that ticket is selected and con-
trollcd hy those who have some spe-
cial privileges which they desire pro-
tected by the government.
II the democracy of st, Louis had de-
faated Mr.. Wells, tn democracy OF
Missouri would have been spared the
fight which must now be made. The
contest which resulted in the PlrtlC
Springs convention was fought over
the silver question, the fight which Is
row Cpened will be a broader one ant
will inl Give the very existence Of The
party
The Republic will lead the Francis
Wells element and will be supported
by IL railroad attorneys and corpora
tion agents as well as by the golt
standard advocates. Every democratic
Newspaper in the state will be com
PEELED to take sides and contes
which might have been settled in {
day, il confined to st. Louis, will keel
the state stirred up for the next fou
years.
What Is the use, 1t may be asked, o
opposing the Republic-Francis-Well
combination? Why not allow 1t to con
troll the party organization? The an