The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-08-30
LOBSTER LEADERsHIP's BUNGLING.

Republican managers in Missouri must accept the
blame when their national party leaders next Novem-
Der inquire about increased Democratic majorities in
both counties and cities. The people of the State are
eXasperated at the persistent ISLANDERS of the Repub-
lican campaign and the malice demonstrated by the
constant refusal of the Republican newspapers 10 ad-
nit any part of the truth of recorded history. Exas-
peration will appear in votes.
Both Of the daily organs in st. Louis have within
two days repeated several times the question: IF
school certificates are State bonds. why adopt 4 con-
stitutiOnal amendment for the purpose of confirming
them
Putting aside the attempts at humor with which
they adorn this interrogatory, and coming to the sub
stance of an issue which is by no means one for frivo-
lous treatment The Republic asks Republican voters
TO think a moment on the dishonesty of the argument
advanced by the organs as party shibboleth.
The constitutional amendment would confirm the
validity of the school bonds, but only as an incident
of the main purpose. This amendment Is brought be-
fore the people because the ordinary State bonds are
about to be paid off and retired to the last cent.
Being State bonds of full validity under the Con
stitution. the school bonds must be paid off and re-
tired unless some new constitutional provision is made
for their continuance: and the tax of ten cents on the
one hundred dollars must be regularly collected until
they are paid off and retired.
In other words, the constitutional amendment is be-
VIC NV DCOliC At sNhpOl tlbNu dHN
State bonds, about to demand payment: the amend
ment is not before the people to make State bonds out
of the certificates.
1t does confirm the school bonds, or certificates, but
only as confirmation and reiteration of what already
exists and has existed since the change from United
States bonds to State bonds under the previous consti-
tutional amendment. The Globe-Democrat, by the
way. used to bitterly deny that this previous amend
ment was ever adOpted-an example of the shameless
falsehoods with which the organs have attacked Mis-
souris School Fund policy.
If the school certificates were not a valid part of
the State bonded debt there would be no need of a
constitutional amendment. Missouri could then do as
Illinois and Ohio do. The State could carry the
amount simply as a permanent and irreducible debt"
to the schools. But that is not Missouriis way. The
Constitution compelled the investment Of the fund in
bonds; and in bonds it remains invested. Unless the
Constitution is amended the bonds must now be paid
off and retired.
These 'despicable and degraded" Republican or
gans are in a tangle.
One day they claim that the School Fund has been
looted because the certificates are not bonds. When
proof is submitted to show that the certificates are
bonds they ask why a constitutional amendment
should be adopted to confirm bonds.
They claim that the School Fund is gone; yet
they propose TO distribute this gone fund to the
counties. The Inconsistency of being able to distribute
S~4.O00yOOO to the schools when nothing remains in the
fund does not appeal to their financial expert per-
%ceptions.
The organs applaud the nomination of Whybark
and Higbee-both of whom supported and still sup
port the School Fund policy-but berate Democrats as
robbers of the schools.
Through the organs the Republican party is making
n holy show of itself and is arOusing resentment among
the voters to a degree not often witnessed. The ma
tional managers of that party will next winter again
characterize the Missouri spoilsmen as the Oldest
outfit in the country. The organs are destroying what
little standing the party leadership had in this State.