The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-14
Desires to Shake Spirit Of Over
confidence Which May Lead to
Democratic Defeat.
EVERY VOTE SHOULD BE CAST.
Republicans Working Quietly to
Cast Their Full Strength
Rely on Apathy of the
Democrats.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

the 1000 Democratic majority in the Sec
ond Judicial District, Judge James b. KICKS
of Taylorville is making the hardest kind
of a campaign As a matter of course, he
will get nearly every vote in his own coun-
ty (Christian. and. his presence not oeins
necessary at home he is spending all the
time in the other counties. He was down
in Madison County last week. and from
there went INTO Jersey and Macoupin. Dur
ing the coming week Judge Kicks expects
to visit the eastern part OF the STATE
Clark, Lawrence. Crawford. Jasper anu
Cumberland counties. He has establlsheo
an enthusiastic and cordial friendship IN
every city and precinct, and has thus ia1
canvassed and enlisted in his service In
fluential men who are not confined to his
own political party.
There are seven Justices Of the Supreme
Court in Illinois. and only one OF them IS
a Democrat-Justice Carroll c. Boggs Oh
Fairfield-while there Is a vacancy in an
other Democratic district, owing to the
death of Justice Phillips. This is the va
cancy Judge Kicks will fill when he is
elected. With the election of Judge KICKS
the Supreme bench will stand five Repub-
icans and two Democrats. So far as pol
itics are concerned 1t matters little for the
Illinois Supreme Court never has permit
ted partisanship to bias any OF Its deci-
sions, and 1t has dacided some very COM
plex political questions.
Democrats OyEanixing.
Chairman John P. Hopkins OF the Demo-
cratic State Committee has taken personal
charge OF Judge Ricks's campaign. and Is
organizing the Democrats In every county
and precinct In the district. Chairman Hop
kinss ability as an organizer and political
leader Is at stake. and his friends assert
that there Is little question but he will add
at least 5000 to the normal Democratic ma
jority OF 1900 In the district. That is. Mr..
Hupkinss friends are confident that the
majority for Judge Kicks will be over H.OA
1t Is merely question Of presenting the
Democratic candidate to the voters. When
the people are given an opportunity to take
his measure and compare 1t with that OF
Judge Cooper Of Hillsboro. the Republican
candidate the sentiment Is sure to be with
Judge Kicks. He looks and acts like Su-
preme Court Judge. His personal appear
ance and carriage Indicate the dignity and
respect that pertain to the exalted office
which he seeks.
Republican Plans.
The Republicans are relying on a still
hunt in the vain hope Of cutting down the
Democratic majority. and the possibility OF
electing Judge Cooper. The Republican State
Committee was requested to contribute 81
0D to the Cooper campaign fund. but the
chances for Cooper's success were so Ut
terly hopeless that Chairman Rowe refused
to permit the sacrifice of that sum. Gov
ernor Yates IS taking n quiet interest IN
the election. and all the State appointees
have been ordered to be alert and assist
III eating dsy In .se
bears tho strange condition Of activity and
energy among only Fayette County Kepub-
and what 's-the-use" in Republican ranks
In the other counties that plainly shows q
disposition to make. no show Of a fight
eas Chairman eo'it Hopkins. is lighting They fear
that the iistlessness OF Repr6licans p Is only T,G
tinct understanding and close organiza-
tion under the surface that will bring out
the Republican vote on election day. while
continuation Of this condition means
the possible defeat OF Kicks and the elec-
Apathy May Defeat Kicks.
While the Democrats should have an easy
time Of It, my prediction Is that they will
jority ait OF Of 1865. Il the Democrats do not be-
come aroused by election day they may
wake up the day after election and behold
places on the Supreme bench.
The district is purely agricultural. with
the exception Of Madison County. which
contains number of manufacturing plants.
For this reason the campaign is an arduous
cne on the Democratic side. But this has
not deferred Judge Kicks and Chairman
Hopkins and. they have been working like
beavers every weekday since the Demo-
cratic convention.
The Republicans counted a great deal on
lukewarmness on the part of the gentlemen
who were candidates for judicial honors In
the Democratic convention at Litchfeld.
They expected that Judges Farmer, Bur-
rows. Shirley, Wright and Kelly would DO
disposed to suik and permit the Republicans
to have their own way in the election This
dream has been dispelled. for the most
tlemen mentioned. They feel It a point Of
honor to do all they can for the candidate
of their party. who stands so high among
the lawyers and judiciary of the Second
District.
It is the rank and file of Democrats that
need prodding into activity. II they Will
only get out to the polls, and the indica-
tons now are that they will, the TRIUMPH
Of Judge Kicks by an Overwhelming major
ity is assured: In this desired event Chair
man John P. Hopkins Of the State Commits
tee will be entitled to a great deal Of credit
It ie hoped that the Democratic ma joritv
in this election will presage the defeat ~
Repubffcanism IN the State in next years
general election: The election Of Judge
Kicks by rousing majority will rouse IRE
dormant energies and the hopes OF Iliinois
Democracy for the battle Of 1902
J. L. PICKERING