The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-12-12

to him and because Mr.. Phelps assented
TO 1t. Whoever would blame Cook for
Wnat ne did in this matter is certainly
hard pressed for something to charge
against him.
Secondly. as to the contribution of $500
made by and through Judge Priest: Judge
Priest was an honorable man and Demo-
crat. and personal friend of Mr. Seibert
Why should he not give seibert. and help
committee. especially when told. what was
true, that the Republicans were making an
extraordinary effort. and were spending
Legislature that a Republican might be
elected to the Senate. and when he was
told. what was also true. that the Demo-
money to meet even its most ordinary ex-
penses. Should net both be commended.
rather than criticised. for doing what they
tee sl,0OO. hesicss making liberal con-
tribution to the State Committee, but
nave. nave never supposed that what did.
was something to be ashamed Of. but
rather something to be proud Of. There is
certainly nothing in the mere fact that
Iaittee to subject either him or Mr.. Seibert
to the least condemnation. II some of
these so-called Democrats who are bawling
half as much as they to promote party sue
cess. instead Of striving, as they now are.
to tesmirch them for their work. they
their services.
The Globe-Democrat intimates that Judge
Priest raised this money for the committee
It expected to be benefited by it in securing
the passage by the Legislature to be elected
Of what Is called the Transit bill. But tsthis
ts. at best. only a far-fetched inference.
and against that inference is the positive
statement Of Judge Priest that at the time
this money was raised the Transit bill had
never even heard of the plan to consolidate
the street railroads of st. Louis until
months afterwards; and. moreover. he posi-
contributed to the $500 he raised. outside
of himself. and he only as an attorney.
ever was. or ever has been, interested IN
knowledge. That being true. the Globe
Democrat inference is not only far-fetched.
but wholly unauthorized. And 20 this buga-
boo falls with q dull thud.
Thirdly. as to the brewers contribution
of $500. also made in 1888: 1t appears that
during that same campaign a contribution
of 5000 was made on account OF the Re
publican committee. Why should not at
least half that sum have been contributed
on account Of the Democratic brewers Of St.
there any reason why a Democrat should
not aid his party because he is a brewer!
Since when was that line of discrimination
established? And. pray. what greater right
has a Republican brewer to contribute to
his party than a Democratic brewer has to
contribute to his party? Again, the plotters
lUSlNUAle du lIleTeuCS tudt luc $S,CUV SUuuA
button was made on condition that no ad.
verse legislation should be enacted against
the brewers. But this is only an inference.
and one which would apply just as well to
the 5000 the Republicans got as to the
& 250O the Democrats received. But Mr.. Cook
says that no such contribution was ever
even intimated to him by anybody. and the
fact stands out that the very Legislature
elected that year. whether wisely or un-
wisely. did pass what is known as the beer
inspection bill. And so that bugaboo is
Finally. it is objected that seibert dis
tributed this money for campaign purposes.
OF course he did that. Why not? For
what other purpose did he get the money?
It was distributed throughout the State. as
1t should have been. to aid both the State
vent the election Of a Republican Legisla-
ture. which. in turn. would have elected ),
Republican United States Senator. The
failure to accomplish their purpose in this
aforementioned behalf, and the waste OF
lucre they suffered In trying to acco-- Hsh
it. Is what most hurts our dear brethren
on the other side. They are up to the same
some occult and mysterious means to have
enlisted few who have hitherto been ac-
counted Democrats to assist them. BIT
they will fail again. The stalwart Democ-
sacy of old Missouri is to be reckoned
with and when they are once aroused to
the true situation. as they will be. they
will sweep the old Republican machire
and its ALLIES. al mixed together. into
kingdom come. Neither Cook nor Setbert.
nor any other loyal Democrat. needs to
have any fear for anything he has done soc
the cause Of Democracy. An honorable
and able service will be at all times ap-
preciated. WM. ]. STONE.