The St. Louis Republic., 1902-12-25
PARTISAN MOTIVES CLEAR.

As between the Democratic and Republican or
ganizarionS which are endeavoring, though by diff
ferent and with contrasting motives for
amendation of the election law. the former obviously
is pursuing the right TO achieve results The
Democrats lave acted promptly; the Republicans
have parleyed and gossiped. Action is the policy of
the Democrats, talk the pastme OF the Republicans
Noise is a nonesSential element in plans Tor I'M
provement Of the law; it is entirely undesirable and
almost intolerable the insults which have been
hurled at the Legislature. The Republicans have too
frequently denounced the legislative body. They de-
clared that assistance not needed from the
Democrats and that the Legislature would have 10
bend the krce in homage when the deputaton of the
Republican machine would go to Jefferson City.
Ordinary Judgment should have prompted Re
publican organizations, it would seem, TO abandon
vituperaton and hypocrisy when the principal Demo
cratic organization met the challenge and immediate
ly proceeded 10 work. But Judgment did not sway
issue-hunters from their partisanship. Members OF
the Republican Club, FOR instance, charged that i'm
provements to the law could not be produced under
the auspices of the Jefferson Club and that organiza-
ton referred the Democrats 10 the Republican COM
mittee of ten which appointed after the Jeffer-
Clubs committee had already arranged for
action.
The Democratic party Of the State was held re-
sponsible for violations of the existing statute. 1t
charged by the Republicans with having con-
spired to steal elections. That was forced as the
issue. The Democratic party OF St Louis has select
ed the most nearly bipartisan committee that was
ever presented by party body. The issue forced
by Republican virulence Of partisanship has been
met courageously and honoraby.
1t was stated at the last meeting Of the ST. Louis
Republican Club that the jefferson Club is unfit
cause the law TO be improved. Why? 1t appears
that the Jefferson Club is fit to do this than the
Republican City Central Committee, which did not
follow up Its allegations Of election crime with con-
suits until the last minute and then only after it
had been severely criticised for being lackadaiscal
Is the Jefferson Club less fit than the Republican
State Central Committee, whose chairman considered
that he had duty in regard 20 contests for expos
ing corruption in downtown precincts?
Every act allegation and omission Of Republican
organizations showed from the start that attacks
the election law We're prompted by political motive
The Republican bosses could not believe that their
judges and clerks were subject TO suspicion. They
had criticism for the Drabelle primary law. They
had nothing to say about the wholesale corruption in
dulged at Republican primaries. They cond
tions from only a narrow partisan standpoint They
remained silent about their leprosy while they
examined their opponents eczema with micro
scope
The bipartisan committee appointed by the JEFF
Club Of the best character of
citizenship The members are Democrats but not
bitter partsans. In appointing this committee the
Jefferson Club placed itself in position of honest
regard for bipartisan sentiment There Is no reason
why the Democrats should merely for peace agree to
admit that Its victories have been won by fraud.