New-York tribune., 1902-08-28
CROKER-HARMONY. HA-HA,
POLITICS IN MISSOURI.
STATE MAY LOSE FORMER VICTORY IN
NEXT ELECTION.
rsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

Washington. Aug. 27.-From we'll informed
Democratic source in Missouri the news has
reached Washington that the dominant party
in that State is more seriously threatened with
a reverse in the November election than at any
time for a great many years. Upon the result
of the contest for control of the next Legsla-
ture of Missouri will depend the election OF
Senator Vests successor. and that the chances
now favor the Republicans is conceded by some
of the Oldest and most experienced Democratic
managers in the State. This means that eX-
Governor William J. Stone, vice e-chairman Of
the Democratic National Committee and one OF
Col. Bryans most resolute and intelligent sup
porterS, may not reach the goal Of his ambition,
which is to succeed George Graham Vest IN
the United State Senate. and, while 1t does not
necessarily signify Republican control of the
next Legislature. 1t does indicate that the Re-
publicans will be strong enough at Jefferson
City next winter to keep Stone out Of the Senate
and name some for Vests mantle less
radical and less "Bryapite' than the vice
chairman and real brains of the Bryanite Ma
tionai Committee.
It is entirely within the pale OF the probability
for the Republicans to control the Legislature
outright and thus send to the Senate q member
OF tt.ir own party instead of Joining with the
Democratic opposition TO Stone. This state
rnent is based upon close and careful study
OF the situation IN MISSOURI ana comes, as De
fore remarked. not from Republicans. but from
high Democratic authority in that State. The
situation is of unusual interest to both parties
at this time in view of both the prominence OF
Mr.. Stone in Democratic national affairs and
OF the influence which for years the ssouri
Democracy has welded in shs ping party policies
and naming candidates. Through his control Of
the machine and with the aid of Governor
Dockery. Mr.. Stone has been able completely to
overawe every Democratic opponent for Mr..
Vests seat and thus he has clear field within
his patty lines. He has defeated Champ Clark
David a. De Almond and host of other Bryan
ties. and now has reduced the outspoken oppo-
sitio1 in his own party TO a comparatively un-
known named Wallace.
CHANCE FOR MR.. FRANCIS
At the time this Mr.. Wallace is creating
just enough disturbance to keep the Missouri
Democracy stirred up. and to give to the anti
Bryanite element a convenient excuse for not
supporting Stone with an enthusiasm that
makes for common cause. 1t is feared by
Mr.. Stone and his friends that Wallace's cam
didacy will result in sending TO the legislature
a number of ant-Stone Democrats, who will
stand out uncompromisingly against his eleva-
tion to the Senate. and who In the probable
event of large Republican membership Will
join forces with the latter in the election either
OF pronounced Gold Democrat or Il Republi-
can. AS Ex-Governor David r Francis now
president of the st. Louis Worlds Fair, and
Mr.. Cleveland's last Secretary of the Interior.
has never been taken back to the Democratic
fold In Missouri, through Mr.. Stones persistent
opposition. 1t is suspected that he IS behind the
Wallace movement. with the view of stepping
into the breach at jefferson City next winter
when the expected deadlock comes and carry
ing off the Senate prize for himself, or, fail
ing that, to throw his influence to the Republi-
can who can most easily command the votes of
the tnti-Stone Democrats.
Mr. Francis stands close to the powerful in
fuences that are arrayed against Mr. stone.
Reing a man of large wealth and of extensive
business connections Mr.. Francis has always
had the confidence and support of the who
control the railroads and big manufacturing
and mercantile establishments of Missouri,
while Mr.. Stone has always had to fight these
interests in the pursuit of his political aims.
That Mr. Francis could command the support
of these interests if he avoWed
candidate is we'll understood in Missouri. That
some of them are supporting Mr.. Wallace is ac-
cepted out there evidence that Mr. Francis
has encouraged the Wallace movement
REPUBLICANS MAY COMBINE.
The Republicans of Missouri are. usual,
divided at the present moment. but it has been
learned by the Democratic managers that the
Republicans are fast getting together. K. {.
Kerens the Republican National Committee
man, is the leading candidate at present against
Stone, but it is not impossible that Secretary
Hitchcock will enter the race for the Senate as
soon as the efforts that are now being made to
restore party harmony are successful
Either of these Republicans. it is believed
could command the full strength of the Repub-
Ican vote for the Senate, but If that vote should
not be large enough to cleo q Senator without
the aid of anti-Stone Democrats, Ii is not known
which one of them could most easily effect
fusion that would send Republican TO the Sen
ate to succeed Mr.. Vest. The Republicans
elected the legislature in Missouri in 1894. and
their strength has been growing ever since,
though the Democrats have enacted and en-
forced election laws in st. Louis which have
enabled them to overcome the increasing Re
publican vote of the rural districts and to con-
tfnue their control of the State. The people OF
St Louis however, now thoroughly aroused
against the unjust methods Of the Demo-
cratic machine. which for years has been
directed by Stone and II is said that In NO
vernber they will give oldtine Republican
majority in that city, which, Of course. viii sub
stant!ally aid the movement for the defeat of
Stone for the Senate.