New-York tribune., 1901-12-11
MISSOURI FACTION FIGHT.
ANOTHER ILLUSTRATION OF THE PRES
IDENTS INDEPENDENCE AND
ORIGINALITY.
JBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

Washington, Dec. 10.-Another illustration of
the methods President Roosevelt is employing
in his search for who measure up his an
nounced standard of fitness for public service is
afforded in the case of the faction fight among
Missouri Republicans. For nearly a month the
Missouri factionists have been besieging the
White House at all possible hours of the day
and night in the interest of their respective
didates for various Federal offices in that State.
One faction is headed by r. c. Kerens, a mem
ber of the Republican National Committee and
close friend of Chairman Hanna The other
faction is headed by Secretary Hitchcock who
has as his chief lieutenants the only two Re
publican Congressman from Missouri-Messrs.
Joy and Bartholdt-and State Chairman Atkins.
The principal bone of contention is the Survey
orship of the Port of st. Louis, office which
pays 81. 800 a year, and which for four years has
been held by c. H. Smith, who at one time was
Colonel Kerens's private secretary. Colonel
kerens has asked for the reappointment of
Smith. and will listen to no offer of compromise
Secretary Hitchcock and his lieutenants have
recommended w. G.. Boyd, who. although
brother-in-law of Ex-Governor David r. Francis
is lifelong Republican.
Over these two recommendations the Presi-
dent was badgered by the factionsts until. being
unable longer to stand their opportunities, he
exclaimed, "A plague both your houses. and
forthwith for his literary friend, William
Marion Reedy, well known newspaper writ
er in ST. Louis. but presumably knowing little
and caring less about politics and place seeking.
Mr.. Reedy was the Presidents guest three days
last week although whether in their converse
ton they most discussed books politics no
body with authority speak is able to say.
The only evidence on this interesting point is
that when the Presidents st. Louis literary
friend departed for the West he naTvely re-
marked to an anxious and subservient throng
of waiting Missourians that he thought the
President now so thoroughly understood the
Missouri political situation that he would ap-
point a certain Mr.. Weneker-a decidedly dark
the factionists When asked what his politics
was, Mr.. Reedy proudly, though somewhat
oracul;ry. proclaimed that he was one OF the
thrty-two persons in Ct Louis who voted fof
Palmer and Buckner in 1896
1t is recalled as an interesting coincidence
that when the Presidents rest constantly
disturbed by the pleadings of Kansas faction
lists. among them Senator Burton. for appoint
ments in that State, he hastily summoned TO ms
side his Kansas literary friend. William Allen
White, author of What's the Matter with Kan
sas?' and other brochures Of more or less re-
nown. Mr. White led the President out of the
tangle in which he had been enmeshed by the
Kansas politicians. and is now regarded as the
arbtter of patronage in the Sunflower State.
The influence which some of the Presidents lit
erary friends in New-york have had in the Sc
lection of officers in that State is well known,
and now Ii appears that, to the unSpeaka bic
amazement of the Missouri politicians, William
Marion Reedy is to enact in his State the role
being filled by William Allen White in Kansas.
These signs of independence and originality
on the part Of the President are causing a
panicky feeling among the old line politicians
and officeholders which threatens TO develop
into stampede from politics to literature.