The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-12-08
WANTS A GENERAL PRIMARY.
Champ Clark Will Bring Pressure
Oh State Committee.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Louisiana. Mo-. Dec. From his head
quarters here Champ Clark has inaugurated
a move which his manasers hope will result
in a senatorial primary being called. The
plan is 10 have a petition circulated in
every school district in the State and
signed by the Democrats generally. asking
the State Committee to call a primary TOR
| the selection of a Democratic candidate for
the United States Senate. Ed y. Glenn. for
Mr.. Clark. Is sending out thousands of let
tiers with blank forms for the petitions. The
letter Is as follows:
Al the request OF Honorable Champ Clark. ]
write and mail 10 you a number OF circulars In
the form OF petitions. setting forth his reasons
| for asking Tor a primary election in the State to
nominate a Democratic candidate for United
States Senator. together with all Democratic
nominees for State Offices and for all county Of
fees. all to be held on the same day throughout
the State.
AS stated In the circulars. a primary election
would reach every Democrat in the State and
would place every Democratic vote in the State
upon an equal footing. and in addition would be
equally fair TO all candidates. 1; is pre-eminent-
~ fair and would reduce to the minimum unfair
means usually resorted to in conventions and the
Legislature. 1t would give TO those true Demo
Gratis that live in large Republican counties an
equal opportunity with Democrats living in large
Democratic counties to vote for their choice for
United States Senator. Besides 1t is Democratic
for the people to rule. They are supreme and
can control above and beyond party machinery.
Therefore. for the purpose Of testing the will OF
the masses Of the Democrats OF the State on the
primary question these petitions have been mailed
to every county and city in the State.
| VIII you do Mr.. Clark the kindness to place
at least two Of these circulars in the hands Of
two or more active. progressive. true Democrats
IN each township in your county and ask them
to attach the petition to the required amount OF
paper and circulate same among the Democrats
for their signatures. I would be glad II you will
inform all who circulate the petition that 1 would
be pleased to have same returned to me by Janu-
airy /. 1892. 1t is not improbable that some effort
will be made to forestali this move, but pay
no attention to such efforts no matter from what
source. The masses of the Democratic voters have
a right TO be heard. and. when heard, their ap-
peal for a fair and even chance with all others
will not 60 Unheeded. Let me hear from you
The heading of the petition signed by Mr..
Clark is IS follows:
To the Democrats Of Missouri: Much has been
said concerning n Democratic primary election in
| Missouri for the nomination OF United States
Senator. Shall we have it. or not? Democracy
means that the people shall rule. The people
are admitted to he competent to elect State and
all other officers. Why can they not be trusted
to select their own candidates for State and other
officers nj a primary election? y primary election
| would destroy all rings. break all official states,
and place the nomination in the hands of the
people where it should be. The State mi
must decide the question. The members of the
Democratic State Committee are the servants OF
the Democrat party. The masses OF the Demo
Gratis compose the party. not n few bosses. There
fore the people should be heard directly upon
this question. An effort is being made to fore
stall the action Of the people on the primary
plan. Pay no attention 20 such action. The mass
es Of Democrats are greater than the committee.
You can force favorable action. So far as I am
concerned 1 believe in the people ruling. All
should stand upon an equal footing. I therefore
favor n primary. and all who agree with me 1
request TO sign the petition below. Yours truly.
trJANp CrApE