The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-09-13
4 L

ST. Louis Republicans have Il plain issue upon
which 10 vote in their primary. Unlike 4 majority
of party contests, this case presents something more
than a rivalry among candidates for personal prefer
ment. Political morality is on trial.
A rehearsal OF the developments will prevent the
average Republican from neglecting the main ques-
ton. As far back as May %, a conference was held
in the offices of the Missouri Pacific Railroad by
Colonel kerens. Colonel Phelps and Frank p. Roberts
who was supposed to represent State Chairman Atkins,
then q candidate for reelection.
An agreement was there made by which Colonel
Kerens. Republican aspirant for the United States
Senatorial nomination. promised to withdraw all op
position 10 Chairman Atkins on condition that the
State Convention would take no action on the Sena-
toriaI question. but leave it TO the minority in the
General Assembly.
The programme was carried out at the Jefferson
City Convention. Atkins was reelected unanimously
and Kerens was not baked in his ambition.
Since that time Kerens and Phelps have been busy
securing the nomination of friendly Legislators. Their
success may be indicated by the fact that only in
counties overwhelmingly Democratic did any person
other than Kerens receive instructions to the leSis-
lative nominee.
Here in st. Louis 4 different situation confronted
the two Colonies. By giving to the people a good
administration the Democrats have made themselves
stronger than any other political organization. At
best. the Republicans had a bad record with which
to go to the polls.
In this emergency, Kerens took hold Of the old
Ziegenhein majority I'm the Republican City Commit
tee. while Phelps manipulated the Meriwether end OF
a combination between the two forces. As a result,
4 direct primary. operated by judges, clerks and chal-
lengers appointed by the Ziegenhein element, was Or
dered to nominate the slate named in advance by the
Ke~rens-Phelps people and parcelled out between gang
sters and Meriwetherites.
Republicans OF the better sort protested. The
State Committee, after hearing the evidence of treason
to party principle and rules, threw out the sixteen
members of the City Committee who had ordered the
direct primary. New men were appointed to fill the
vacancies. There are now two committees claiming
to be the official representatives of the party organiza-
ton in st. Louis.
An application for a writ Of certiorari has been re
fused TO the Kerens- Phelps manipulators by Judge
Bland Of the Court of Appeals. Justice Robinson.
has granted a provisional writ of prohibition against
the Board Of Election Commissioners. ordering it TO
ignore the reorganized City Committed
This decision was claimed by friends Of Phelps
soon after the application was made. They boosted
that before Judge Robinson they could not lose.
Is there any place in this scheme where the lobby
has not been prominent? Good citizens are opposed
boast Of their power are not popular in these days.
There is only one recourse for good Republicans and
that is to prevent the success of Kerens and Phelps
in efforts TO debauch politics in ST. Louis and Mis-
souri,.