Mexico Missouri message., 1902-09-25
CASTING HIS FIRST VOTE.
Young Man Sought Information From
His Republican Father,
A LESSON IN MISSOURI HISTORY,
Dialogue That viii BE Found Instructive
and Decidedly Interesting to Both the
First Voter and to Those More Expert
enced who Will Vote This Year.
tFrm tho Hannibal Journal


thoughtful mood took possession of
the young man, who, up to this time,
had given very little thought to the
period soon to arrive when the per-
plexities of life must be dealt with by
and for himself.
Il will be twenty-one years OF age
in October" said the son addressing
his father, "and it seems to me that
II is about time for me, after the splen-
did school and social advantages your
means and standing as a man have
given me, TO think about my future in
a business way"
And then the sons future in the bus
mess world was earnestly considered
and discussed and a conclusion rea he'd
perfectly satisfactory to both.
Now, since that is so agreeably set
tied" remarked the son, there is an
other matter that seems to me shoul
have attention, and for reliable and
trustworthy information naturally
turn to you, my father, who have al
ways been so willing to give me honest
advice. You know for the past many
years | have been beating a drum as a
member of the boys drum corps and
whooping it up generally, kidfashiJ'
for the party to which you belong.
will cast my first vote in November
next, and in my judgment, it is of no
less importance than the business
problem we have Just solved. You are
a Republican-why?
THAT would be a long story, son. |
am of Northern birjh and alta ned my
majority during the civil war. sup
pose l shall always be a Republican
although | can now after Thirty years
reelection, see some of my party's
faults"
LAS We have no presidential cleo
ton this fall" repl ed the son, 81 am
not particularly asking light on ma
tional politics. We will have two years
in which to watch events and come to
a conclusion about that. We are liv-
ing in Missouri. Do you think the
Lest int rests OF the people would be
subserved by turning the state over to
the Re ubl.Cans? And along that line.
will you, fer my Information, answer
some queries to aid me in coming to
an intelligent cCnClus 'On?"
Certainly" replied the father, "it
is my duty to deal to1e'tly with you
and 81 all not dodge the responsibility
now, so so aheal with your questions.
Son: Was the Republican party
ever in power in Missouri"
Father: Yes"
Son: well, to get at the facts, I
will ask you about some of the charges
made against the Republicans. No
doubt these charges are grOundless and
used for campaign purposes, but you
are fully advised, and am certain that
you will give me the facts as they are.
Is it true that during Republican "a
tendency in the state that the governor
controlled the entire election machin-
cry Ct the state and that DemocI ats
were denied repre- entation at the polls
either as judges, clerks or challeng-
ers?"
Father: The record seems to be
against Us on that point suppose it's
So"
Son: I'D the Secretary of State
Mr.. Rodman, burn ID :mOCTatic ballots
in order to give Republicans the Of
ficeso"
Father: Il guess can make no de-
Tense to that charge"
Son: What was the tax rate In
the state under Republican rule?"
Father: Il think it was 50 cents or
the 500 valuation
Son: And can you call to mind
what it is now under Democratic ad-
ministration?"
Fathe-: THE tax rate now is q
cents on the 500 valuat on"
Son: rs it true. when the farmers
and little home owners were, under
state management by the Republicans
compelled to pay taxes at the rate OF
so cents on the 500 valuation, that the
railroads were ent rely exempt from
taXation?"
Father yes, I think that thu
letuTuS VIII SNOW lEaI we ulu not COL
lect any taxes from the railroads
Railroads were then infant industries
in Missouri"
Son: las the tariff is still main
tanned to protect our still infant CT
UNSATISFACTORY you suppose that th'
Republicans, had they remained II
power In Missouri-would have con
tinued to favor the railroads."
Father: Remember We agreed a
the start to defer consideration Of ma
tional questions two years-you're lug
glng in the tariff"
Son: When the Republicans were
in power in Missouri, how much die
they assess railroads PER miie?"
Father: "As we'll as l can remember
nothing"
Son: Under the present Demo
cratic administration, how much ar
= railroads assessed per mile?"
Father: "In 1890, think they were
assessed $11430 per mile and a yery
considerable increase has bean mad